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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
July 6, 2023
CONTACT: DWD Communications
CommunicationsOffice@dwd.wisconsin.gov

DWD, Froedtert Hospital Celebrate Graduation of Five Local Project SEARCH Interns

Project SEARCH Program Prepares Young Adults with Disabilities for Rewarding Careers

Maria Brzinski was an intern at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee as part of the Project SEARCH program. In July she will begin a new job at a senior living facility.

MILWAUKEE – As part of hospital support staff at Froedtert Hospital, Project SEARCH interns assist with stocking supplies, customer service, food preparation and more. For Maria Brzinski, the experience has been a way to meet new people and learn new skills.

"Froedtert helped me do my best at work," said Brzinski, who trained as an intern in the hospital's bistro. Following her internship, she landed a permanent job at a senior living facility.

The graduation ceremony at Froedtert on Thursday, June 29, in Milwaukee, 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.

"The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development congratulates the nearly 200 Project SEARCH graduates throughout the state for their hard work and accomplishments," said DWD Secretary-designee Amy Pechacek. "Successful programs like Project SEARCH are preparing members of Wisconsin's diverse and talented workforce for opportunities that employers have available today."

In addition to the host site, the local internship experience was made possible by partners including the Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), TransCen, Creative Employment Opportunities, Lutheran Social Services, TMG Wisconsin, and Community Care, Inc. 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.

On Thursday, June 29, Project SEARCH instructors and DWD Deputy Secretary Pamela McGillivray (far right) attended a graduation ceremony for interns who completed the work training program at Froedtert Hospital. The interns with their certificates, from left to right, are Benjamin Peetz, Evan Gerndt, Anthony Poshepny, Lila Nelson, and Maria Brzinski.

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 Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.