Project SEARCH Graduates Find Jobs & Community Support

SUPERIOR, Wis. — After nine months of hard work, four interns are ready to start work after completing Project SEARCH Superior – Essential Health.

Friday saw the graduation of four interns who have completed Project Search. Project SEARCH is a transition-to-work program that aims to help adults who have barriers to employment become work-ready. This year’s graduates have also completed rotations in three different departments at Essentia Health-Superior, emphasizing how they can help make a positive impact within their own community.

“Over the course of the year we identify skills and strengths, we help them with challenges that they might have,” said Shawna Anderson, the executive director for Embark Supported Employment. “Then at the end, they come out and have the support of this whole team to go out and get a job in the community. Our goal is for them to be employed 20 hours a week or more, minimum wage or higher, doing great work for the community.”

At the time of graduation, two out of the four have already found a job. Project SEARCH has helped 18,000 students in its time, with approximately 200 graduates nation-wide this year.