Mentoring

PYD’s Mentoring Program has served youth with disabilities since 1985. Its goal is to help young people with disabilities meet their full potential for personal development and independence by matching them with a caring adult mentor.

We currently offer two forms of mentoring: one-to-one mentoring and group online mentoring. If you are interested in applying for either Mentoring opportunity, submit our Youth Application and PYD staff will be in touch with you! We are also always recruiting volunteer mentors, who must be over 18 years old.

Both mentoring opportunities are free of charge to participants. See below for more details.

One-to-one

One-to-one, community-based mentoring for youth with disabilities in the Greater Boston Area. We match each youth with a caring adult mentor, and they are expected to meet together for 4-6 hours a month over the course of a year. Mentees and mentors do all sorts of things together: work on personal goals, go to museums, play games, and more!

Open to youth and young adults with disabilities (ages 6+) in the Greater Boston Area.

Online

Nationwide, online mentoring for young adults with disabilities (ages 18-26) who are interested in career readiness support. Youth participants have access to a group of professional mentors, who offer input and advice on your path from school to employment, and monthly virtual workshops designed to improve career readiness skills.

Open to all young adults with disabilities (ages 18-26) across the United States.

LENS

One-to-one, virtual mentoring for Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) consumers. We match transition aged youth who are blind or low vision with a caring adult mentor, who is also blind or low vision. Matches work on personal and/or career goals together for 4-6 hours a month over the course of a year.

Open to youth and young adults (ages 14-24) who are blind or low vision & live in Massachusetts.