Partners for Youth with Disabilities

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Partners for Youth with Disabilities

Empowering youth with disabilities through transformative mentoring, workforce/career development, and leadership training.

08/31/2026

Continuing our series, highlighting this year's Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame inductees, we're looking at Dra. Maricela Becerra! 🌟

Check out her quote where she talks about the meaning and impact of femtorship.

📌You can see her full bio on our website: pyd.org/hall-of-fame

[Image description: Light purple and white text on a dark purple background - "PYD Mentor Monday. 'Femtorship is about creating support and building real relationships. My students are navigating an ocean of uncertainty, and my goal is to be someone they feel has their back because safety is energetic, not bureaucratic.' Maricela Becerra, Ph.D., she/her, University of San Diego, Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame Inductee, 2026.'" A photo of Maricela is on the bottom right of the image - Dra. Maricela Becerra, a Mexican woman with long dark wavy hair and brown eyes, smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a black doctoral cap and gown with a gold tassel and a colorful Mexican embroidered stole. She stands outdoors on a sunny day at her doctoral graduation ceremony.]

08/28/2026

This week, our Career Readiness team has been busy holding PYD's ! Around a dozen participants attended Career Camp, learning about job skills, practicing interviews, and hands-on group activities. Congrats to all who participated this week! 👏🌟

[Image descriptions:
ID 1 - PYD staff member sits across from two participants, practicing a mock interview.
ID 2 - A participant leans down to draw on a large piece of paper.
ID 3 - Two participants stand and talk to each other.
ID 4 - A participant smiles as she works on a friendship bracelet.]

08/24/2026

Happy ! Today, we're looking at one of this year's Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame inductees, Kiriko Takahashi, Ph.D. She touches upon the importance of mentoring being a "two-way process", and the value that mentors and mentees gain from their journey. 😊

What is something you've gained as a mentor? As a mentee? Let us know in the comments! 👇

[Image description: White and light yellow text on a dark red and dark blue background - "PYD Mentor Monday. 'Effective mentoring is a two-way process. While mentees benefit from guidance and support, mentors also gain valuable insights and perspectives. Embracing this reciprocity is fundamental to a meaningful and successful mentoring journey.' Kiriko Takahashi, Ph.D., She/Her, Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame Inductee, 2026" A photo of Kiriko, smiling while seated in an office, wearing a blue top and earrings, is on the bottom right corner of the image.]

08/21/2026

Let's give a huge PYD thank you to Mass Mentoring Partnership for their grant that supports PYD's Mentoring Program! 🫶

[Image description]: Text on a background with three shades of blue - "PYD Thank You to our latest generous funder for their grant supporting PYD’s Mentoring program! Mass Mentoring Partnership" A photo of a mentor and mentee speaking into a microphone sits at the bottom of the image.

08/19/2026

Did you know? 💭

PYD offers Live Trainings & Professional Development for employers and educators! Schedule a 15 minute conversation and explore topics such as Disability & Inclusion, UDL, Accessible Events, Inclusive Workplaces and more 🌟

📌Learn more & schedule a consultation: pyd.org/training/ -training

[Image description]: White and yellow text on a dark blue and purple background - "PYD. Did you know? PYD offers live trainings. Equip your team with the confidence and practical tools to create welcoming, accessible experiences. Schedule a consultation: pyd.org/training" A photo of a young woman, sitting at a classroom desk, looking ahead is on the bottom right of the image.

08/17/2026

Happy to one of this year's Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame inductee, . Emily Ladau is the author of Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to be an Ally. Check out what she has to say about the meaning of mentoring!

[Image Description]: White and light pink text over a gradient dark pink and orange background - "PYD Mentor Monday." Quote from Emily Ladau (she/her), "Mentoring is a two-way street of engaging across lived experiences to share stories and lessons that can spark personal growth and meaningful change.” A photo of Emily is on the bottom right of the image: Emily Ladau is a white woman who is wearing glasses and has curly brown hair framing her face. She is wearing a purple sweater dress. She is sitting in a power wheelchair, facing the camera and smiling, with her hands resting in her lap.

08/14/2026

Now that YLF Central has come to an end, we wanted to reflect back on the fun our participants had learning and connecting with each other! 😊💙

📌Check out the latest blog post that covers all the details: pyd.org/stories/2026/08/14/ylf-central/

[Image Descriptions]
ID 1: A young woman with curly dark brown hair and glasses is holding a tote bag with a stamped design of a bunny holding a beaker and wearing a lab coat. "PYD" is stamped underneath that in small letters.
ID 2: Participants are inside, passing a beach ball to each other, in a circle. A woman in a blue shirt, blonde hair, and glasses is running to catch the ball mid-air.
ID 3: Two participants are sitting at a table, painting with a variety of vivid paint colors.
ID 4: Students are helping a participant in a wheelchair stamp a design on a canvas bag.
ID 5: Close up shot of a young woman with short, curly, dark brown hair playing the tambourine, with other participants playing instruments in the background.
ID 6: A young man, wearing glasses, a purple t-shirt, and a black baseball cap, is sitting wearing gloves, grating a carrot.
ID 7: Two participants, on the left is a young woman with long brown hair, wearing a black shirt that reads "It's ok to not be ok", and she is standing with her arm around the shoulder of a young man on the right, wearing a grey striped polo shirt. They are both smiling.

08/13/2026

A HUGE thank you to Charlestown Community Impact Fund for their grant supporting PYD's Career Readiness program! This grant will go a long way into providing services to the young people we serve 🫶

[Image Description]: White and light purple text on a gradient purple, pink, and yellow background - "PYD. Thank you to our latest generous funder for their grant supporting PYD's Career Readiness program! Charlestown Community Impact Fund" A photo sits below the text of two PYD participants, both young men with short brown hair who are working on an art project at a table.

08/11/2026

Calling all educators & parents! 👩‍🏫

As a state Pre-ETS provider, PYD is offering services available during out-of-school time, including after school, vacation weeks, and summer break!

📌Interested? Fill out the interest form: bit.ly/club-camp OR contact Ari Fleisher, Director of Youth Programming at [email protected] for more information.
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[Image descriptions]
ID 1: PYD logo. Now offering Pre-ETS Services. Camps & Clubs. The background is a corkboard with colorful stickers and notebook paper. A photo below the paper is a group of PYD participants, sitting and playing with musical instruments.

ID 2: PYD logo. As a state Pre-ETS provider, PYD is offering services available during out-of-school time, including after school, vacation weeks, and summer break!*

After School Career Clubs:
-1 to 2.5 hour Career Readiness lessons at YOUR school after the close of the academic day
-Cohorts of 4-12 students attend a 4 or 8 week session
-Topics include Youth Leadership, Job Exploration, Post-Secondary Education, Workplace Readiness Training, and Self-Advocacy
-Flexible timing to fit your schedule

Vacation Week / Summer Career Camps
-Cohorts of 4-12 students attend a 4-5 day career camp based virtually, at school or other local facility.
-Learning will include Youth Leadership, Job Exploration, Post-Secondary Education, Workplace Readiness Training, and Self-Advocacy
-Students will leave with practical tools and increased confidence
*Eligible students must be ages 14-21 (up until 22nd birthday), have a documented disability, and be in a high school, transition or post-secondary program.

08/10/2026

Happy ! We're continuing to spotlight this year's Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame inductees. ⭐

Today, we're spotlighting Dr. Davi Kallman (she/her), Disability Advocate, Scholar, and Higher Education Leader. 👏

[Image description: Text on a purple and pink background "PYD Mentor Monday" Quote from Dr. Davi Kallman, (she/her), Disability Advocate, Scholar, and Higher Education Leader, Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame inductee 2026. "Mentoring means helping people discover their own power." On the lower righthand side of the image is a photo of Dr. Davi Kallman, a smiling woman with short, dark curly hair, wearing a navy blouse and black blazer. She is facing the camera with a warm, approachable expression. She has a small nose ring, dangling earrings, and a star-shaped pendant necklace.]

Address

89 South Street, Suite 103
Boston, MA
02111

Website

https://www.pyd.org/donate, https://linktr.ee/pydprograms

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