Project SEARCH Leaders Descend Upon Hamilton for Teaching and Learning
In 1996, Project SEARCH was launched at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre through efforts led by founder Erin Riehle. It is a unique, business-led, one-year, transition-to-work program for young people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. The main objective is to prepare students for employment with job skills training through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on career training. The Project SEARCH program takes place entirely at the workplace.
Click here to learn more about Project SEARCH Hamilton.
Last month, over 70 educators, staff from host business sites, and community employment service providers from 14 Canadian Project SEARCH sites (Manitoba, PEI and 11 in Ontario) met virtually or in-person at the HWDSB Education Centre to engage in professional learning.
Training and community of practice support was made possible by the support of donors to the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. Attendees learned about the Project SEARCH model, marketing, recruitment and selection, as well as engaging with the Steering Committee and Business Advisory Committee. The session was even attended by Erin Riehle, and there was the opportunity for great learning for all that attended.
In fall 2023, a second Project SEARCH Hamilton site began at the Downtown Hamilton YMCA and YWCA. The successful partnership with HWDSB has allowed interns to experience working in various departments within both business sites. Within the three rotations, interns are learning important, transferable employments skills that they will use upon graduation and securing either part or full-time employment.
The Project SEARCH Hamilton team was thrilled to welcome Erin Riehle to the Downtown Hamilton YMCA and YWCA sites to meet with interns, staff, and community members, and learn more about this exciting partnership. Interns have been learning a wide variety of new skills, including food management, data digitalization, and more. Thank you to the YMCA and YWCA for hosting the visits!
Project SEARCH Information Nights
April 25 and 26
Interested in finding out how youth with disabilities can get involved in Project SEARCH Hamilton? Attend an upcoming information night to discover more about this unique transition to work internship program for the 2023-2024 school year!
Please join us online for a Project SEARCH Virtual Information Night on either Tuesday, April 25, from 7 – 8 p.m. OR Wednesday, April 26, from 7 – 8 p.m.
| Click here to join the April 25 session. |
Click here to join the April 26 session. |
Find more information in the flyer and application form linked below.
Updated on Friday, April 21, 2023.