Abbey Quistorf Executive Director | The Chamber of Manitowoc County
Abbey Quistorf Executive Director | The Chamber of Manitowoc County
On May 22, Goodwill of North Central Wisconsin (Goodwill NCW) will hold a graduation ceremony for eight interns completing its Project SEARCH program at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. This nine-month initiative is designed to prepare individuals with disabilities for the workforce.
Project SEARCH operates nationally and has been implemented locally in Appleton through a collaboration between Goodwill NCW, ThedaCare, the Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Cooperative Educational Service Agency Six (CESA 6), Lakeland Care, and TMG Wisconsin. Participants receive hands-on experience applicable to various jobs and continue receiving support from Goodwill NCW during their job search process.
Kayla Countney, Manager of Mission Relations at Goodwill NCW, expressed her enthusiasm about the program's impact: “This is a testament to how a successful partnership and innovative thinking can provide opportunities for any student of any ability.” She added that witnessing students gain confidence and become empowered aligns with their mission of "Elevating People by Eliminating Barriers to Employment."
Dale Gisi, Senior Vice President at ThedaCare Central Region, also praised the program: “ThedaCare is grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Project SEARCH program. When they become ThedaCare team members, Project SEARCH graduates play a vital role in our organization.”
The ThedaCare Appleton Project SEARCH site welcomes both students referred by local school districts and adults enrolled with DVR. Interns rotate through different hospital departments to acquire skills beneficial for future employment. They may work with facilities teams or assist in environmental services and other hospital areas.
Nationally, 72% of participants secured employment after completing Project SEARCH in 2022-23. At the ThedaCare site specifically, over 83% have found employment since its inception.
Goodwill NCW is committed to breaking cycles of poverty by providing skill-building opportunities that lead to sustained employment and financial stability.
Alerts Sign-up