Stemilt Growers, a Wenatchee, Wash.-based packer, grower and distributor of pears, apples and stone fruit, said following the completion of its Project SEARCH program, four interns hope to find employment in the greater Wenatchee Valley.
For a second year at Stemilt, Project SEARCH helped young people with disabilities secure competitive employment and prepare them to find jobs at Stemilt or in the community, according to a news release. Stemilt held this year’s graduation on June 11 at the Numerica Performing Arts Center in Wenatchee.
“As we close the chapter on a second year of Project SEARCH at Stemilt, I can say the presence of this year’s interns will be missed,” said Zach Williams, Stemilt’s director of people experience. “They bring joy to our work lives, and I know our supervisors who guided them through their internships are so proud of how far they’ve come since Day 1.”
Stemilt said over a year, interns participated in three, three-month-long internships in departments at Stemilt, including production, IT, human resources, repack and the retail store. Two interns worked at other community organizations.
“This crew had an outstanding performance and even when their tasks weren’t always fun, they showed up every day,” said Terry Brown, Project SEARCH instructor. “We maybe had 10 absences total all year which really shows the effort and energy they put forth into the program. Each year, we select one intern to be ‘intern of the year,’ and boy, did they make it hard for us to choose.”
Stemilt named Ayden Snyder its intern of the year. Snyder interned at Stemilt’s Euclid, Wash., packing facility doing box mezzanine and working on the packing line. Stemilt said his positive attitude, desire to help his team and readiness to always try something new is what made him stand out.
To congratulate each intern for their hard work and completing the program, Stemilt presented a backpack, water bottle, pin and hat to each intern after receiving their certificates. Attending the graduation were representatives from the Chelan-Douglas Development Disabilities Program, the Development Disabilities Administration, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Link Transit, Stemilt, Confluence Health and the Eastmont School District, which were thanked for their support and involvement in the Project SEARCH program.
“May their journey be filled with love, happiness and fulfillment,” said Williams. “Whether they find their new jobs here at Stemilt, or in the community, we wish them the very best! Not only do they learn something new during their time here, so do we. We will remember them as Stemilters for their integrity and bringing their best to the table.”
