News from MHC!
Springfield/Western MA MHC applicants: If you are interested in participating in our Springfield Making Healthy Connections program, please contact Susan Nicastro at 413-584-0455 (TTY: 617-314-2989) or via email at snicastro@pyd.org. Mailing address: PO Box 1311, Northampton MA 01061.

Boston MHC applicants: If you are interested in learning more about participating in our Boston Making Healthy Connections program, please contact Deep Chinappa at 617-556-4075x20 (TTY: 617-314-2989) or via email at dchinappa@pyd.org.
Participant Quote
"When I was a participant in MHC I learned how eating healthy can effect your mind and body...."

Making Healthy Connections Program (MHC)

Program Contact:
Susan Nicastro • 413-584-0455 (Springfield Making Healthy Connections)
Deep Chinappa • 617-586-4075 x20 (Boston Making Healthy Connections)
Ages Served: 14-22 • Program Founded: 1997

Making Healthy Connections (MHC) programming continues to encourage healthy behaviors and increase access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities for youth with disabilities in the Greater Boston and Springfield areas of Massachusetts. MHC is a series of interactive discussions and recreational activities designed to help adolescents and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs prepare for adult life. MHC works to motivate youth with disabilities, ages 14-22, to understand their health care needs, effectively use community resources to transition to adult health services, and sustain a healthy lifestyle. Two MHC program sites are currently serving over 60 youth with disabilities and their families through ongoing Youth and Parent Groups. The current Boston MHC program is taking place from October 2011-May 2012, and the Springfield MHC program is taking place from November 2011 - April 2012. The goals of the program are to enable young people with disabilities and or special health care needs to do the following:

  • Gain a greater understanding of their disabilities and/or special health care needs through interaction with other young adults and mentors who have disabilities and/or special health care needs;
  • Build positive communication skills that will help them to describe and educate others about their disability, leading them to advocate for themselves at home, in school, in health care settings, and in the community;
  • Develop strategies for taking more responsibility for activities of daily living, including managing their health care;
  • Learn how to access resources in the community to help them prepare for the transition to adulthood;
  • Explore healthy lifestyles and recreation options;
  • Increase knowledge about educational, career, and independent living options.

Three MHC participants enjoy kayaking on a river

Twelve MHC youth and parent meetings are held at each site twice monthly during the school year. MHC Youth Groups provide recreation activities, socializing opportunities, fun and learning to support the development of independent living skills, health awareness, and self-advocacy. PYD Peer Leaders are trained to work with youth participants and serve as role models.

MHC Parent Group meetings are held at the same time and location as Youth Group Meetings, and provide a chance for parents to connect with each other and learn more about disability-related issues and resources to help their adolescents make a successful transition to adulthood. Youth who complete the program also have the option of being matched with a mentor to continue the development of healthy and independent living skills.

Making Healthy Connections is made possible through the generous support of our funders, including the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, The Boston Foundation, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Hasbro Children’s Fund, CVS Caremark Community Grants, NewAlliance Foundation, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, and the Beveridge Family Foundation.