Project Search is helping those with developmental disabilities receive more job opportunities.

21-year-old Brooke Hacker was diagnosed with Down syndrome when she was a kid. But that never stopped her determination to follow her dream of finding a job.

“Know I can follow my dreams and go to school here. I want to follow my brother’s steps and work on mine,” Project Search participant Brooke Hacker said.

Hacker joined Project Search last August. The program empowers young adults with developmental disabilities to get competitive jobs. Hacker said she gained hands-on experience through multiple job rotations.

This experience allowed her to build strong food-service skills, including food preparation and proper storage.

“Teamwork is my favorite thing,” Hacker said.

According to Policy Matters Ohio, 2025 marked the first year in which Ohio saw a year-to-year decline in jobs since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Between Dec. 2024 and 2025, Ohio employment fell by 5,600, compared to a 35,000 increase in jobs over the previous year.

Job Developer for the program, Kelley Mills, believes Project Search’s partnership with Miami University can provide outlets by connecting students to meaningful, real-world experiences that prepare them for a wide range of careers.

“Job market is changing, the workforce is changing and we are seeing bigger and bigger gaps, for entry level sustainable workforce and I feel like that is what this program is focusing on and what we are here to do is fill that void,” Mills said.

For Hacker, she finished the program and now works full time at a Chick-fil-A at Miami University. She’s thankful for the people in the program who helped her along the way.

“You guys are the best people I’ve had in my life, and best friends to me,” Hacker said.

Anyone who is interested in the program, click here.

See the full story  Here !