GUELPH – A school-to-work transition program at the University of Guelph (U of G) has been recognized as the Community Changemaker of the Year by March of Dimes Canada.
Project SEARCH aims to dismantle barriers and provides work experience for high school students with disabilities.
The Community Changemaker of the Year Award celebrates the creativity and collaborative spirit of a local, regional or provincial organization that demonstrates innovation and impact in expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in their communities.
“At U of G, we believe in student learning and in equitable opportunities for employment,” stated Campus and Community Integrated Learning, Experiential Learning Hub manager Janet Doner in a press release.
“There is a place for everyone here.”
In partnership with the Upper Grand and Wellington Catholic District School Boards and March of Dimes Canada, a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting people with disabilities, Project SEARCH provides high school students up to 700 hours of on-campus work experience to develop skills for the local job market.
The students rotate through three 10-week internships working across various campus departments gaining employment skills through hands-on experience at the University Bookstore, Student Wellness, Hospitality Services and the Companion Animal Hospital at the Ontario Veterinary College, among others.
These campus partners are integral to the success of Project SEARCH as the program looks to expand and evolve, offering its participants a variety of placements, Doner said.
“This program creates learning for everyone, not just the Project SEARCH interns.
“As an institution committed to experiential learning and career-readiness skills, it is also important to be able to offer that to community members,” she added.
Since 1996, Project SEARCH has ran at more than 750 sites in 10 countries.
The U of G site, launched in 2024, was the first in Guelph and the first at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
The Guelph site had seven graduates in 2024, two of whom secured permanent employment at U of G.
“As the interns move through the program, there is increased autonomy and it is incredible how well-prepared they become for the workforce,” Doner said.
Inclusivity, accessibility
“The Changemaker Awards honour the remarkable achievements of people and organizations who have made a profound impact in the lives of people with disabilities,” officials stated in the release.
“The awards shine a spotlight on those who champion equity, empower ability and drive transformation through innovation, collaboration, action and advocacy.”
Experiential Learning Hub director Elaine Fenner said “We are deeply honoured to be the first post-secondary institution in Canada to run a Project SEARCH program and to receive the Community Changemaker Award.
“Embedding inclusivity and accessibility into programming for equity-denied groups is a core priority for the Experiential Learning Hub,” she said.
“We extend our sincere thanks to our valued collaborators – March of Dimes Canada, the Upper Grand District School Board and the Wellington Catholic District School Board – for their ongoing partnership and support.”
The Changemaker Awards will be presented Oct. 23 at the annual Changemakers Supper Club in Toronto.
U of G departments interested in recruiting Project SEARCH interns can contact the team at projectsearch@uoguelph.ca.
