The Future of Human Services
CHELMSFORD, MA – Inside the hallways of our Day Habilitation program, something special is happening. Young adults from urban backgrounds are “learning while they earn” — making an impact on the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Urban Youth Collaborative Program (UYCP) is funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), an initiative that began in 1992 to foster an interest in students to work in the human services field. The program’s success speaks for itself, with nearly 3,500 interns being connected with over 19 agencies since its implementation.
Fifteen students, some new and some returning, spent the last eight weeks gaining real work experience while being mentored and supervised by professional staff. On August 8, students gathered at the Massachusetts State House to be honored for their commitment and dedication to serving individuals at the various providers of the UYCP. Shawn Nault, Director of Day Habilitation Services and UYCP Coordinator, and his team also had the opportunity to personally express their gratitude at last month’s graduation ceremony, hosted at our Chelmsford location. Interns sat side-by-side with the individuals who they had fostered relationships with over the course of the summer. Genie Nortelus, DDS Deputy Director in Diversity, attended the ceremony on behalf of Jerry Scott, founder and driving force behind the UYCP.
When asked to share their experiences, each student’s quote echoed a similar sentiment: this was a lifechanging experience. Benjamin Waithe, a peer mentor, had this to say, “It has been special to be part of the reason some small activities and relationships happen that can mean so much to an individual. I’ve learned a lot about the field of human services as well as some of the gaps in services that we are aiming to fill.”
The Summer Program may have ended, but that doesn’t mean that the experiential learning will. The ASD Peer Mentoring Program is in its first year — giving interns the opportunity to mentor adults on the Autism Spectrum through group events and one-on-one meetups. By leveraging our collective expertise as a newly merged organization, and with full support from DDS, the possibilities are endless! As always, thank you to the students involved in the UYCP and we look forward to continuing this journey with you.