Project SEARCH

Project SEARCH is an innovative, business-led, school to work transition program for young adults with disabilities. Project SEARCH began in 1996 at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. There are over 600 Project SEARCH sites throughout the United States and internationally.

Goodwill supports three Project SEARCH sites in Wisconsin - Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport and Andis Company, partnering with the Department of Workforce Development's and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Department of Health Services (DHS), CESA #1, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and Racine Unified School District (RUSD) to provide unique training opportunities for young adults in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Project SEARCH benefits young adults through:

Career exploration, training and internship experience
Experience in community organization and workplace culture
Development of job skills and independence
Work-based learning that promotes
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Social relationships

The goal for individuals in Project SEARCH is to develop job and social skills through on-site internship experiences that lead to competitive employment in the community. In the state of Wisconsin, 76% of individuals who complete Project SEARCH have achieved employment.

Building Independence: Project SEARCH Overview

The Milwaukee County Zoo and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport are two Project SEARCH sites in the Milwaukee area.