Hutto, October 2, 2025
News Summary
Project SEARCH in Hutto empowers young adults with disabilities by offering yearlong internships with local businesses. This initiative has a 99% success rate, helping students like RJ Williams gain valuable work experience and build a foundation for future careers while fighting unemployment stigma.
Hutto, Texas: Project SEARCH Provides Job Opportunities for Young Adults with Disabilities
Project SEARCH offers yearlong internships for recent high school graduates with disabilities in Hutto and Georgetown Independent School Districts (ISDs). This initiative pairs local businesses, including Kalahari Resorts and Conventions and Ascension Seton, with students to provide valuable hands-on work experience. The program aims to help participants secure jobs within six months of completion, boasting a remarkable 99% success rate with 60 students transitioning into employment over the last five years.
This year’s cohort includes 14 participants, one of whom is 19-year-old RJ Williams. Williams is currently employed at Kalahari Resorts, where his responsibilities include stocking shelves, greeting customers, and maintaining the market space. His job not only offers a sense of purpose but also helps him fund his aspiration of becoming a musician by covering costs for rehearsals and studio time.
To participate in Project SEARCH, students must successfully complete a job interview and training prior to starting their internships. Throughout the year, interns rotate through three to four departments, gathering experience in areas such as food service, laundry, administrative duties, and more. They are supported by job coaches who assist with daily tasks and preparation for future job interviews, enabling them to develop essential work skills and confidence.
The program predominantly targets individuals aged 18-21 with disabilities who are either still enrolled in school-age programming or have completed their high school credits. The initiative emphasizes the importance of inclusion in the workplace and aims to challenge and change existing stereotypes about people with disabilities. It also seeks to address the alarming statistic that the unemployment rate for individuals with disabilities is higher than that of any other population segment in the country.
Through Project SEARCH, it is underscored that individuals with disabilities are fully capable of contributing meaningfully in the workforce. The program not only aids in developing valuable skills but also fosters financial independence among participants. The Hutto ISD is planning to expand the program in the future and seek additional business partners for internships aimed at individuals with disabilities.
Key Features of Project SEARCH
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Target Group | Young adults aged 18-21 with disabilities, either still enrolled or have completed high school. |
| Internship Length | Yearlong internships with practical work experience. |
| Business Partnerships | Collaborations with local businesses like Kalahari Resorts and Ascension Seton. |
| Success Rate | 99% success rate with 60 students transitioning to employment over the last five years. |
| Internship Activities | Participants rotate through food service, laundry, administrative tasks, among others. |
| Support Provided | Job coaches assist interns with daily tasks and interview preparation. |
FAQ
What is Project SEARCH?
Project SEARCH offers yearlong internships for recent high school graduates with disabilities in Hutto and Georgetown Independent School Districts (ISDs).
What organizations partner with Project SEARCH?
The initiative partners with local businesses, including Kalahari Resorts and Conventions and Ascension Seton, to provide students with hands-on work experience.
What is the success rate of Project SEARCH?
The program boasts a 99% success rate, with 60 students transitioning into employment over the last five years.
Who can join Project SEARCH?
Project SEARCH targets individuals aged 18-21 with disabilities who are either still enrolled in school-age programming or have completed their high school credits.
What support do participants receive?
Student workers receive assistance from job coaches for daily tasks and preparation for future job interviews.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE: Hutto-Georgetown ISDs Help Students with Disabilities
- Wikipedia: Project SEARCH
- Community Impact: Workforce Training for Young Adults with Disabilities
- Google Search: Hutto Texas Job Opportunities for Disabled
- KVUE Video: Project SEARCH
- Google Scholar: Project SEARCH
- ConnectCRE: Hutto Chosen for Industrial Project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hutto
- Community Impact: Round Rock-Hutto Development
- Google News: Hutto Texas Project SEARCH
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