Project SEARCH Welcomes First Cohort of Interns

The Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB), St. Clair College, and Community Living Windsor are thrilled to introduce the first cohort of interns participating in Project SEARCH, an internationally recognized transition-to-work program for young adults with developmental disabilities. The program aims to promote inclusion, foster employment opportunities, and support successful transitions into adulthood.

Eight students from the Greater Essex County District School Board will take part in this collaborative initiative, which provides immersive workplace experience through internship rotations and targeted skills training.

Families, educators, support workers, and community partners gathered to celebrate the interns’ personal achievements and the launch of this innovative program, the first of its kind in Windsor-Essex.

Attendees heard from several representatives during the event:

“To our interns and your families – you have taken the leap into something brand new! Your courage and confidence will serve you well as you grow throughout this experience. We are so proud of the work you have done to get you to this point. We can’t wait to see how far you will go, and we can’t wait to hear the stories that you have to share with us about your experience.”
– Vicki Houston, Director of Education, Greater Essex County District School Board

“I am honoured to support this continued growth and ensure it becomes something deeply meaningful and everlasting. I am especially proud to be launching this program in partnership with the Greater Essex County District School Board and Community Living Windsor. Together, we are demonstrating what’s possible when organizations come together and align around a shared purpose in the community.”
– Jimmy Parsons, Chair, Zekelman School of Business, St. Clair College

“Our educators are very passionate about making sure students have appropriate pathways. They first brought Project SEARCH to my attention and have been dedicated to this endeavour ever since. We are all here today because of their efforts.”
– Chris Mills, Superintendent of Special Education, Greater Essex County District School Board

“To our interns – you are creative, you are capable and you are full of potential. We are thrilled to watch you learn, lead and we think you will surprise even yourselves. We can’t wait to see the incredible things you will do this year and beyond.”
– Sarah Canzi, Director, Support, Community Living Windsor

Special thanks to the educators and community partners who worked tirelessly to make this opportunity possible for these students, especially Bianca Rota and Jennifer Newton, Teacher Consultants for Special Education at the Greater Essex County District School Board.

Congratulations to the following students on this achievement. We wish them all the best on the journey ahead and know they will do great things: