Partners For Youth With Disabilities

Programs: Mentoring division:mentor match program - this core program of the organization matches youth with disabilities with caring adults that serve as role models and mentors for the youth guiding them to achieve their personal, independent living and career goals. The mentor match program served 122 youth during the year ended june 30, 2017 through creating new or supporting existing matches. National center for mentoring youth with disabilities - the national center reaches non-profit organizations across the united states with (continued schedule o)on-line and customized training, technical assistance, and support to improve inclusion and engagement of individuals with disabilities. During the year ended june 30, 2017 pyd's national center provided training for 1,154 individuals in a wide range of organizations, including the boston ballet, city year, national 4-h, boys and girls club of america, umbrella arts, and michigan state university, segerstrom center for the arts (ca).

education and training division:young entrepreneurs program (yep) - this is an inclusive job-readiness program that addresses barriers to employment in meaningful and measurable ways. Through academic coursework, real world experiences, and mentoring from the business community, transition aged youth with disabilities learn and practice skills necessary for employment readiness and further education. Yep served 211 youth through boston public schools and an intensive set of summer programs provided for the massachusetts rahabilitation commission during the year ended june 30, 2017. (continued schedule o)access to theatre program - this is an inclusive theatre arts program that engages youth with and without disabilities in after-school and summer theatre arts activities. The program features creative workshops and original productions created by the youth and performed at community locations. The access to theatre program served 62 youth during fy2017 though its two-week summer institute as well as 20 weeks of out-of-school time programming designed to engage youth in acquiring knowledge, experience, and skills in the arts.

youth in preparation for independence division:making healthy connections program - this health promotion peer mentoring program brings together young adults with disabilities who are interested in learning how to lead active and healthy lifestyles. The goal of the program is to assist youth in transitioning to adulthood. In addition to offering group programming in two program sites based in boston and springfield, the program also offers support groups for parents. Making healthy connections served 30 youth and their families during the year ended june 30, 2017. (continued schedule o)peer leadership program - this program prepares young adults with disabilities to become leaders in their communities through participating in after-school community service opportunities. Young leaders develop leadership and job readiness skills while at the same time learning the value of community service. During the year ended june 30, 2017 20 peer leaders participated in this program. Youth leadership forum - during the year ended june 30, 2017, the massachusetts rehabilitation commission selected the organization to plan and host the 2017 massachusetts youth leadership forum (ylf). Ylf is for high school students with disabilities who want to develop self-advocacy and leadership skills, begin to plan career goals, and build a network of supports and friends. Over 80 youth with disabilities across the state submitted applications to participate in ylf and the organization conducted statewide interviews which resulted in the selection of 41 youth delegates and 12 peer leaders to attend ylf.