National Center

Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) is planning Aspire, Achieve, Empower: The First Conference on Mentoring for Youth with Disabilities to be held from September 13-15, 2006. Partnering with state and national organizations, PYD will host a national conference which will focus on sharing best practices in the field of mentoring youth with disabilities.

Over 200 representatives from various agencies are expected to attend the two day conference that will be held in Boston at the Hilton Boston Logan Airport (One Hotel Drive, Boston, Massachusetts, Tel: 617-568-6700). The first day of the conference will feature a keynote speaker and specific workshops that cover a variety of topics related to mentoring including: a historical perspective on mentoring and what research has shown; effective one-to-one, group, and online mentoring models; evaluating mentoring programs; recruiting, screening and training mentors; how mentoring can impact health, ducation, and employment goals for youth; how to start and operate a mentoring program; and how to include youth with disabilities in existing mentoring projects. The conference will also feature a planning symposium for leaders in the fields of health, education, employment, independent living, and transition for youth with disabilities. Leaders will meet with members of PYD's National Disability Mentoring Council to discuss policy issues, legislative & research needs, funding, and an agenda for future collaboration between agencies who are all conducting various initiatives serving youth with disabilities.

Learn how to become a sponsor for the First National Conference on Mentoring Youth with Disabilities:
Program Advertising and Exhibit Opportunities
Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities

More information on the conference, agenda, and how to register will be posted on this website as it becomes available. For questions on the conference please
contact PYD's Deputy Director, Maureen Gallagher at mgallagher@pyd.org.