Allies and RWJBarnabas Health are pleased to announce the completion of an internship by its first cohort of interns.
The program is a 12-week unpaid internship working with RWJBarnabas Health. It supports up to three individuals with disabilities who are eligible to receive benefits through the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
The program gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to gain real-world experience working in a major healthcare system. Throughout the course of the internship, participants have access to a one-on-one job coach. In addition, regular evaluations and on-site training gives participants the largest possible opportunity to succeed.
The first cohort included two individuals who worked for 12 weeks at the RWJBarnabas Health Hamilton hospital setting. Throughout the internship, both participants performed varied tasks around the hospital. Some of these included cafeteria work, breaking down boxes, and stuffing envelopes.
“It was really neat, I really loved it,” Rein Kukk, one of the program participants who completed the internship, said. “I really hate to see this internship end.”
“Allies Inc. and RWJBH share a unified commitment to promoting overall well-being through meaningful vocational opportunities,” Luke Washack, VP of Vocational Services at Allies, said. “By engaging in internships, the population we support can build skills, confidence, and intrinsic motivation—factors that contribute to better health and long-term success.”
Seeing the first successful cohort is rewarding for Allies leadership who have brought the program to life.
“Seeing our first cohort complete the internship has been incredibly rewarding. This group exceeded expectations, showing how our program can align interns with organizational needs while providing the support to help them succeed,” Washack said. “Allies and RWJBH now have a proven model ready to expand across healthcare sites, beginning with a new cohort at New Brunswick University Hospital this winter, and it has potential to be adapted for other industries and workplace experiences.”
Leadership from RWJ University Hospital Hamilton worked with Allies to bring the program to life.
“The volunteer resources team at RWJ University Hospital Hamilton was proud to help develop and pilot this new internship initiative with Allies,” Tedford Taylor, MDIV, BCC, CTS (CPEI), Director of Spiritual Care and Volunteerism, Coordinator of Palliative Care and Bioethics at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, said. “Our first two interns, Rein and Lisa, were phenomenal: they were personable, flexible, and engaged in their work with several of our hospital departments.”
Taylor added, “We are sorry to see their internship term end, but are encouraged to have new interns take their place, and build on this success.”
For more information about the internship program, including inquiries about applying to participate, email emartin@alliesnj.org.
