With the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year, Utica Community Schools celebrated its first year of Project SEARCH, a national program that helps students with intellectual and developmental disabilities gain real-world job skills through hands-on internships. The district partnered with the City of Sterling Heights to offer this opportunity to five students: Nino Bommarito, Nick DeSchutter, Ta’Shaun Eades, Kennedy Schebil and Ethan Williams.

Throughout the year, these interns worked in areas such as Parks and Recreation, the Community Center and the Senior Center where they learned how to manage daily tasks, communicate with coworkers and build professional habits.

“The Project SEARCH program has been an opportunity for students to build independence and workplace readiness,” said Christie Petras, the program coordinator for UCS. “Partnering with the city gave students the chance to be part of a team and better understand what it means to contribute to their community.”

 “This program helped me learn new skills and how to follow directions,” said intern Nino Bommarito. “I also have the chance to stay on after the internship as a building monitor at the senior center where I will continue to use the skills that I have learned throughout my internship.”

Additionally, the program benefited the residents and visitors of Sterling Heights. “It’s not just the coworkers that these interns’ impact—it’s also the people they interact with,” said Kristen Briggs Sterling Heights Senior Center Recreational Supervisor. “At the community center, patrons often enjoy talking with the interns. It adds another level of connection for everyone.”

The program is designed for students aged 18–26 who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and are on the certificate of completion track. It focuses on helping students become more independent while preparing them for employment within their community.

By the end of their internship, students gained experience, confidence and a clearer idea of what roles they may want to pursue. With a successful first year complete, UCS plans to continue building on the program in the years ahead.