Celebrating 40 Years of Unlocking Potential: Party 4 PYD Honors Leaders in Inclusion

40th anniversary PYD logo

On April 3, 2025, Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) will celebrate four decades of empowering young people with disabilities at our annual Party 4 PYD event. As we reflect on 40 years of mentorship, inclusion, and opportunity, we are excited to celebrate with our community in honoring the individuals and organizations that have made a lasting impact on the lives of youth with disabilities.

The Party 4 PYD is our largest annual fundraiser, bringing together supporters, leaders, and partners to recognize those making a difference in disability inclusion. This year, we proudly present three prestigious awards: The Mr. D for a Difference Award, The Oz Mondejar Innovator Award, and The Regina Snowden Founder’s Award.

Honoring a Legacy of Dedication: The Mr. D for a Difference Award

The Mr. D for a Difference Award pays tribute to the late Darryl “Mr. D” Sanchez, a beloved PYD Employment Program Coordinator who was known for his creativity, dedication, and unwavering belief in his students’ potential. His work in adapting career readiness curricula for Boston Public Schools, particularly during the challenges of remote learning, left a profound mark on the PYD community.

This award is presented to a student who embodies the values Mr. D stood for—leadership, resilience, and the drive to create a better world. The recipient of this year’s Mr. D for a Difference Award is Bobby Planzer. 

Innovation for Inclusion: The Oz Mondejar Innovator Award

Kennedy Elsey and Austin Carr speak onstage at the 2023 Party4PYD.

Kennedy Elsey and Austin Carr speak onstage at the 2023 Party4PYD.

Named in honor of Oz Mondejar, a leader in disability inclusion and innovation, the Oz Mondejar Innovator Award recognizes individuals and organizations that create groundbreaking solutions for young people with disabilities. Honorees use their expertise, advocacy, and leadership to make the world more accessible and inclusive.

This year’s award goes to Kennedy Elsey, whose dedication and innovative spirit have helped amplify the voices of individuals with disabilities. 

Honoring Lifelong Supporters: The Regina Snowden Founder’s Award

Regina Snowden at a banquet table at Party4PYD in 2023.

Regina Snowden sitting at a banquet table at Party4PYD in 2023.

For nearly four decades, Regina Snowden was a leader in disability inclusion, founding PYD and growing it into a nationally recognized nonprofit. To honor her legacy, PYD renamed its long-standing Legends Award to the Regina Snowden Founder’s Award in 2023. This award continues to celebrate individuals and organizations that empower youth with disabilities and champion inclusion.

This year, PYD is proud to present the Regina Snowden Founder’s Award to 20 honorees who have been lifelong supporters of our mission. These individuals and organizations have stood with PYD through the decades, helping us grow from a small mentoring program serving nine youth into a national organization that has reached over 15,000 young people. Their unwavering commitment has been instrumental in unlocking the potential of youth with disabilities and ensuring that they have access to the opportunities they deserve.

The 2025 Regina Snowden Founder’s Award recipients are:

  • Liberty Mutual
  • Bill Schawbel
  • MassAbility
  • Spaulding Rehabilitation
  • Oz Mondejar
  • Lynn Gonsalves
  • Andy and Rose Bentley
  • GEICO
  • The Flutie Foundation for Autism
  • PwC
  • EY
  • Elyse Forbush
  • Ellen Killicarslan
  • Steve Mastrocola
  • Margaret Covell
  • Regina Snowden
  • Ben Golub

We extend our deepest gratitude and congratulations to each of these honorees. Their contributions have made a lasting difference in the lives of young people with disabilities and have shaped PYD into the organization it is today.

Join Us in Celebrating 40 Years of Inclusion

Attendees of Party4PYD 2023 mingle with each other.

Attendees of Party4PYD 2023 mingle with each other.

The Party 4 PYD is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of progress, resilience, and the power of mentorship. This milestone event will take place at the Nonprofit Center at 89 South Street, Boston.

We can’t wait for this special evening as we honor our awardees, celebrate our history, and look toward an even brighter, more inclusive future. Together, we can continue building a world where all youth, regardless of ability, have the chance to thrive.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.pyd.org.