WEST BEND, Wis. — Project Search is a program that enables young adults with disabilities to gain and maintain employment. 

It is a one year transition program for individuals in their last year of high school who have all of their graduation requirements met and want to seek employment. It usually starts with internships.

Some of those internships in Wisconsin are held at West Bend Mutual Insurance.

“Sometimes an intern might not even consider one of the rotations here and they come to find out that they are actually good at it and they do enjoy it,” said Linda Klink, coordinator with Project Search. “This is a good place to try different jobs with the support from the team here.”

Klink said their employment outcome after internships is around 80%.

Rio Ingle was an intern from last year’s project search program, where he washed dishes at West Bend Mututal. He loved it so much, he decided to stick around. 

“It makes me feel happy and joyful,” said Ingle. 

He said he strives for perfection each time he gets to wash a dish and said he works with some pretty great people, like his co-worker Robin Jung. She has been washing dishes for more than 20 years at west bend mutual and she too got her start through project search. 

“I enjoy working with Rio because rio does an awesome job,” said Jung. “He’s fast. I believed in him the first time he came here.” 

Ingle said at home, it’s a tie between him and his step-father, Dan Mihajlovic, for who washes dishes the best. 

“He loves washing dishes,” said Mihajlovic. “He’s told me it’s his passion.” 

Mihajlovic also work at West Bend Mutual in the IT department. He said he’s so proud to see how far Ingle has come. 

“I’ve been very privileged to watch Rio grow,” he said. “When I first met him over two decades ago, he was non-verbal. It’s been great to see him be in a place where he can thrive, where people are patient with him, and willing to help him through.”

Ingle said he thanks both of his parents, for always standing in his corner and being so supportive.

He said he’s excited for what’s to come for his future as he continues to show up each day with a positive attitude and a smile that could light up an entire room.