Photo courtesy of: The City of Peterborough
Mentors, supporters and community partners gathered at the McDonnel Community Centre Thursday to celebrate the 2026 class of Project SEARCH Internship Program; an internship program helping young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities transition into the workforce.
The celebration recognized six students in this first local cohort who spent three internship rotations at various City departments and community partner organizations, including the Riverview Park and Zoo, Peterborough Public Library, the Children’s Services sector and more.
Project SEARCH, which began at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, now operates in more than 750 sites across 10 countries. The program reports a 70 per cent job-placement success rate for graduating interns.
Karen Spenceley, Principal of Special Education at PVNCCDSB, commented on the learning curves that came along with introducing Project SEARCH to the Peterborough community.
The interns learned a variety of in-demand transferable job skills, as well as gaining confidence and independence in the workforce as they navigate into job seekers and employees.
Director of Workforce Development with Fleming Muskoka-Kawarthas Employment Services Sarah Haase thanked various City partners for their involvement in the internship program.
Mayor Jeff Leal congratulated the graduates on their commitment to learning and growing through Project SEARCH.
With the success of this pilot year, Project SEARCH contributors look forward to this September’s cohort of eager interns.
(Written by: Felicia Massey)
