Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital - Milwaukee Campus has worked with the Milwaukee Public Schools’ School to Work program for more than 30 years.
 
School to Work is a community assessment training program primarily focused on high school age students with disabilities. Having participants as old as 21, the goal of the program is to help develop the skills and experience necessary to achieve their highest level of independence by exposing them to different work environments. Some of these students are hired by Ascension Wisconsin, but many also receive job offers elsewhere.
 
Throughout last year at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, nine students were paired with mentors and learned skills in a variety of areas including in the volunteer office, environmental service, food service, linen, and materials management, among others. The weekly sessions provided an opportunity to practice and demonstrate these skills in a supportive work environment.
 
The program also helps these students throughout the hiring process, including how to apply for a job, polishing their interview skills, while providing additional instruction, support, feedback and positive reinforcement.
 
“One of my first students that I had still calls me to check in a few times a year, so they do really value the relationship we form,” said Kerry Burmeister, Director of Volunteer Services.  “The students are so helpful to our departments. Our associates really miss them when they're on school breaks.”
 
The MPS student participants committed more than 2,300 hours of volunteer time, working alongside Ascension Wisconsin associates for at least 230 of those hours.
 
This MPS School to Work program also extends to Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - St. Joseph Campus. Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s - Ozaukee Campus also offers a similar program for Homestead High School.