Project FOCUS teams with Pima County Public School Districts to provide collegiate-based programming that bridges the gap between high school-based transition services and sustainable employment and integration into the community.
Across their time in Project FOCUS, students work at multiple internship sites (both on- and off-campus). Within these integrated workplaces, students improve their employability skills: professionalism, communication, problem solving, time management, teamwork and leadership.
Arizona Market
University of Arizona Bookstore @ McKale
Cactus Grill
University of Arizona Campus Health
Fast Copy
University of Arizona College of Fine Arts Box Office
Johnny Gibson's Downtown Market
University of Arizona Libraries
Nrich Urban Market
Pangea World Buffet
Sabor Mexican Fare
University of Arizona Steward Observatory Business Office & Mail Room
University of Arizona Student Unions
Tucson Museum of Art
Worlds of Words Library
An enthusiastic shout-out to these local businesses who pay our student interns!
A special thank you to the Old Stormies and Geraldo Rivera for their financial support over the years!
Geraldo Rivera (attorney, reporter, author, and former talk show host) is a member of the UArizona fraternal organization, The Old Stormies.
In 1972, at the age of 28, Rivera garnered national attention and won a Peabody Award for his report on the neglect and abuse of patients with intellectual disabilities at Staten Island's Willowbrook State School. As a result of the documentary, Rivera changed the trajectory in America as to how people with disabilities were treated. Ever since the documentary, supporting individuals with disabilities has become his passion.
Rivera, The Old Stormies and their families have met with Project FOCUS students and their parents, our staff and peer mentors numerous times over the past couple of years. They remain stalwart donors to our program, especially with regards to student scholarships.
Project FOCUS prides itself on leveraging resources by working collaboratively with a variety of state and local agencies to improve supports and outcomes for our students.
Project FOCUS networks with multiple non-profit organizations to advocate for and educate others about the benefits of a more inclusive and diverse society.
TASH is an international leader in disability advocacy. Founded in 1975, TASH advocates for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs by working to advance inclusive communities through advocacy, research, professional development, policy, and information and resources for parents, families and self-advocates.