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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
June 2, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

DWD, Aurora BayCare Medical Center Celebrate Graduation of Four Local Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

Angela Crowder at Aurora BayCare Medical Center — Angela Crowder is one of four Project SEARCH graduates who interned at Aurora BayCare Medical Center.

GREEN BAY – If you asked Angela Crowder what she enjoyed most about her experiences working around Aurora BayCare Medical Center, she would quickly tell you the different work rotations she got to experience, particularly her time learning about the hospital's Food and Nutrition Services Department.

"It was my favorite job and I liked to pick on my coworkers," she said with a smile.

Thanks to Project SEARCH, Crowder's experience helped her obtain a job in the food service department following her graduation from the program.

"This program year, Project SEARCH is helping nearly 200 graduates throughout the state develop skills, training, and confidence they need to achieve their employment goals and succeed in the workforce," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "We congratulate the graduates, and we thank the Project SEARCH host sites and other partners for their role in making this program successful year after year."

A graduation ceremony at Aurora BayCare Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center on Wednesday, May 31, in Green Bay, marked the completion of a nine- to 12-month immersive work experience at Aurora BayCare Medical Center. 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 Department of Workforce Development's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Aspiro Inc., Aging and Disability Resource Center, and Lake Care. Statewide, 28 premier employers are participating in Project SEARCH this year.

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.

Project SEARCH graduates include, from left, Angela Crowder, Drew Gustin,, John (David) Jones and Kalista Izzard.

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.