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Miguel first came to Goodwill NCW through our School to Work program, and after graduating, transitioned to Project Search at our Aspirus site. Project SEARCH is a nine-month internship program that prepares people with disabilities to enter the workforce. The international program has a local presence in Rhinelander, thanks to partnerships with Aspirus Health, Goodwill NCW, the School District of Rhinelander, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, TMG, Lakeland Care and Inclusa. The program is built to provide direct experience that is transferrable to jobs and culminates in a graduation ceremony, after which participants seek employment in the community.
Like many young people seeking to enter the workforce, Miguel faced some challenges. He struggled with spatial awareness, acting professionally in the workplace, staying on task, and recognizing the size of a problem. Both programs helped Miguel learn strategies to help him with these barriers, including ways to solve problems, how to follow a task list and monitor his own progress, and how to differentiate between professional and unprofessional behavior.
Following his graduation from Project Search, Miguel was hired by Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital as a part-time Environmental Services Aide. He has now been employed there for a year and a half and is thriving in his role. He is consistent and accurate with his job tasks and helps to contribute to the success of his department. His team has created an inclusive culture and is incredibly supportive of his success. Miguel regularly expresses how much he enjoys his job and the people he works with.
Mission Team Leader Leigha states “Today, a year and a half into his job, he’s succeeding: completing tasks accurately and independently, building strong rapport with coworkers, and applying the workplace skills he learned during the internship to grow in confidence and success every day.”
Miguel’s story is a powerful example of how targeted support and real-world experience can open doors to meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities. Through his journey from the School to Work program to Project SEARCH, and now as a valued team member at Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital, Miguel has shown resilience, growth, and a true passion for his work. As we celebrate his continued success, we also look forward to the next chapter of Project SEARCH. A new session of the program kicks off this month, offering another group of interns the same opportunity to gain valuable skills, build confidence, and take important steps toward achieving their career goals.