Sterling Heights expands Project Search internships for young people with disabilities

Sterling Heights City Council on Tuesday heard an update on Project Search, a workplace-immersion, school‑to‑work program for young people with disabilities that the city hosts through its Parks and Recreation Department. Becca Lynn, the city’s adaptive recreation specialist, told council the program places interns in real work settings five days a week to build transferable job skills.

Why it matters: City staff said Project Search supports inclusion and helps interns move into paid work while providing additional support to parks and recreation operations.

Lynn said the program, which began nationally in 1996, combines classroom instruction with hands‑on training and continued feedback from host employers, school districts and vocational rehabilitation partners. "Project Search is a school to work transition program designed for young people with disabilities," Lynn told the council. She said Sterling Heights is the only Project Search site in Macomb County and one of two in Michigan that involve local government as the host employer.

Christie Petrus, the program instructor from Utica Community Schools, reported employment outcomes for last year’s five graduates: four are working, including positions at Sterling Heights’ community center and senior center and two in the restaurant industry. Petrus introduced the six interns in the 2025–26 class; councilmembers applauded the students when they introduced themselves.

City Manager Mark Vanderpool and Lynn said the internship placements this year will include the Nature Center, the Senior Center, Dodge Park Ice Rink, park maintenance, and multiple community center roles. Lynn said the program expanded placement options and added four new sites so the city could better match interns’ skills and preferences while maintaining Project Search model fidelity.

Councilmembers and staff emphasized partnerships with Utica Community Schools, Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Always Care Services and thanked Parks and Recreation staff for adapting routines and tools to support interns. "Some of the adaptations and tools that were implemented last year to support the interns actually are used now by our part time and full time staff," Lynn said.

The presentation did not include any vote or formal action. Councilmembers expressed pride in the program and encouraged continued support and collaboration.

Looking ahead: Staff said they will continue to refine placements and training and to track employment outcomes for graduates.