A group of Chippewa Valley students are commemorating having completed the Project SEARCH program at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. | Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
A group of Chippewa Valley students are commemorating having completed the Project SEARCH program at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire. | Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
A group of Chippewa Valley students are commemorating having completed the Project SEARCH program at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.
The up to a year-long program is offered to students with disabilities as a workforce alternative for their last year of high school.
“The Project SEARCH program is designed as a vocational work-skills training program," ECASD Instructor Tim Burns told WQOW.com. "But, to me, that is a huge component of what we do, but it’s intertwined with so many other things that are [also] a part of our curriculum.”
Burns believes the program helps prepare students for what comes next by simply giving them the tools for what they will be doing at their future jobs. In addition, he adds it helps them develop the soft skills needed to thrive in a workplace environment.
“It’s very exciting to see my growth and who I became best friends with and getting to know a lot of people,” graduate Bryanna Troutz said after receiving her certificate of completion.
Troutz sees confidence as being a major part of the equation.
“Don’t be scared to show your true colors. Having a disability doesn’t mean you are defined by your disability, whatever that may be," she said. "Shine bright with your true colors, be happy and don’t care what other people think about you.”
According to WQOW, most of the graduates have already been hired, and some are even hoping to add a second job.
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