Breaking Barriers, Creating Opportunity

Armando’s Journey at AdventHealth Waterman

At Magnify of Central Florida, we believe that every person has unique gifts waiting to be discovered, developed, and shared. Sometimes, all it takes is the right opportunity and the right support for those gifts to shine.

One example of that support is Project SEARCH, our youth transition program for high school seniors with disabilities. Through real-world job training, confidence-building, and hands-on workplace experience, Project SEARCH helps students take meaningful steps toward employment and independence.

This year marks an exciting milestone as AdventHealth Waterman joins us as a new Project SEARCH host site. With any new partnership comes growth, learning, and the opportunity to build something meaningful together. And in many ways, that journey is being shaped by one remarkable intern.

Meet Armando.

Armando lives at home with his family and is currently participating in Project SEARCH at AdventHealth Waterman, where he works in Central Supply. He is outgoing, grateful, and consistently positive. His presence brings energy and encouragement to those around him.

Armando uses a wheelchair, and as the site began exploring internship rotations, there were understandable questions about accessibility and fit. Rather than allowing those questions to become barriers, they became an opportunity.

An opportunity to think differently.
An opportunity to adapt.
An opportunity to grow.

With Armando as the motivation, the team at AdventHealth Waterman is working to expand what is possible. Together, we are not just finding roles that work. We are helping create them.

Through Project SEARCH, Armando has discovered new abilities, built confidence, and gained a deeper understanding of what he is capable of accomplishing. This experience has not limited his future. It has expanded it.

As he continues developing new skills, Armando is keeping his employment options open and looking ahead with hope. He has even taken on the role of advocate, speaking to students at local high schools and encouraging them to apply for Project SEARCH.

With a smile, Armando says he “won the lottery” when he received his final placement.

But the truth is, workplaces win too.

They gain dedicated team members.
They gain a fresh perspective.
They gain the opportunity to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Stories like Armando’s remind us that when we choose to remove barriers and walk alongside one another, lives are changed.

At Magnify, this is what we strive to do every day.

We create opportunities.
We build confidence.
We help individuals discover what they are capable of.

And sometimes, it all starts with one person willing to say yes.