Reflecting on an Impactful Year: PYD in 2024

As we prepare to celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on an incredible 2024 at Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD). Since our founding in 1985, we’ve grown from serving just 9 youth in our mentoring program to impacting over 15,000 youth and training 15,000 professionals in inclusion best practices. This year alone, we served 572 youth and 2,695 professionals across our programs, strengthening our commitment to empowering youth with disabilities to reach their full potential.  

Program Highlights from 2024  

Mentoring:  

Our flagship mentoring program connected 107+ youth with adult mentors, fostering life-changing relationships. One parent shared, “Walter is definitely like Ethan’s big brother! They’re two peas in a pod. Absolutely the perfect match!” 

Career Readiness:  

Through partnerships with over 20 businesses and schools, we equipped 225 youth with the skills they need to thrive in the workforce. More than 50% of participants secured employment, and 83% engaged in real-world experiences like job shadowing.  

Youth Leadership: 

The Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) grew this year, serving 65 youth over six days at Emerson College. Participants practiced advocacy, work, and life skills while visiting the MA Statehouse. One attendee said, “We were all able to participate, no matter what limitations we might have—it was very empowering.” 

Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship: 

This national program provided 20 fellows with professional skills development and leadership training. Projects included a guidebook on disability disclosure in relationships and a disability justice and education toolkit.  

Access to Arts:  

Though 2024 marked the sunsetting of this program as a standalone offering, we celebrated its legacy with a final Summer Institute and showcase, where youth created a stunning mosaic installation now displayed at Spaulding Rehab Hospital.  

Looking Ahead  

In 2024, we reorganized our departments to strengthen our programs and align them with our strategic vision. This groundwork sets the stage for even greater impact in 2025, including revamped versions of our Career Readiness, LEARN, and Mentor Certification programs.  

Thank You for Making It Possible  

Our accomplishments this year are a testament to the resilience of our youth and the unwavering support of our community—our donors, partners, staff, and volunteers. As we close 2024, we are filled with gratitude for everyone who believes in our mission and joins us in creating a world where youth with disabilities can thrive.  

Let’s carry this momentum into 2025 as we celebrate 40 years of empowerment, inclusion, and growth. Together, we’ll continue building brighter futures.  

Want to support our mission? Make your year-end gift today and help us unlock even more potential in the new year!