MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - A group of graduates celebrated a major milestone Thursday morning at Froedtert Hospital after completing a program designed to prepare young adults with disabilities for careers in health care.

The graduates completed Project SEARCH, a nine-month internship program that provides hands-on job training and workplace experience.

For many families, the ceremony marked years of hard work and personal growth.

"I'm so happy because I didn't know that she would make it and she did it," one parent said. "I'm so happy and emotional."

Project SEARCH not only prepares interns for future employment but also helps strengthen the workforce at Froedtert ThedaCare Health.

"Our hope is that every single intern that wants to work in health care here, that we will tender them an opportunity so they become part of our Froedtert ThedaCare family," said Andres Gonzalez, vice president for Froedtert ThedaCare.

"She changed a lot," said Esperanza Villegas, the mother of one graduate. "She's more social because she's very shy usually, but she made a lot of changes in her life. All the people around her, they helped her a lot."

Graduates also received a congratulatory video message from Tony Evers before receiving their certificates during the commencement ceremony.