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Tony Evers, Governor
Amy Pechacek, Secretary-designee

Department of Workforce Development
Secretary's Office
201 E. Washington Avenue
P.O. Box 7946
Madison, WI 53707-7946
Telephone: (608) 266-3131
Fax: (608) 266-1784
Email: sec@dwd.wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 30, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

DWD, Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital, Celebrate Graduation of Nine Local Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

Kimerly Torres Berroa of Appleton is one of nine Project SEARCH interns who worked at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton to gain hands-on work experience.

APPLETON – Kimerly Torres Berroa first heard about Project SEARCH from staff during her last year of high school at Appleton West. Since she was interested in working in a hospital, the program sounded like a good fit.

"I have enjoyed meeting new people and learning new things like how to stock servers, how to make coffee and how to ring the baby bell when a baby is born," she said.

The Project SEARCH program taught Kimerly new skills and helped her become more independent. Now that she has graduated from high school, Kimerly would like to find a job in a grocery store or hospital.

"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development is excited to celebrate nearly 200 Project SEARCH graduates throughout the state. They pushed themselves to explore new opportunities and develop additional life skills during nine months of valuable work experience," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "This experience can lead to jobs with companies that will gain a dedicated and diverse group of employees."

The graduation ceremony at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital on Thursday, May 25, in Appleton, marked the completion of a nine- to 12-month immersive work experience. The interns recounted their hands-on experiences and talked about their future career opportunities.

In addition to the host site, the local internship experience was made possible by partners including the DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Appleton Area School District, TMG Wisconsin, VPI, Community Care, and Lakeland Care. Statewide, 28 premier employers are participating in Project SEARCH this year.

DWD's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation oversees Project SEARCH statewide and has supported the program with funding, coordination and technical assistance. The state division also provides vocational counseling and support to program participants.

Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort among state vocational rehabilitation agencies, area schools, local employers, and long-term care organizations to help interns acquire marketable, competitive, and transferable skills that lead to employment. The interns complete multiple 10-week rotations to maximize exposure to different career paths and learn employability skills in a classroom and hands-on job skills within the business environment.

Started at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996, Project Search has provided workforce training to approximately 1,500 Wisconsin residents since its statewide launch in 2008. For more, visit Project SEARCH Wisconsin.

Officials from Appleton Area School District, Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital, and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development joined for a graduation ceremony for nine young adults in the Project SEARCH program.

ABOUT DWD

Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions – Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.