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. Matches work on goals relating to building positive and healthy relationships, community involvement, self-esteem, independent living skills, and educational/career skills.
We currently offer a few forms of mentoring: one-to-one mentoring and our virtual mentoring community. We also offer our LENs Mentoring program supported by Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, which includes both virtual and one-to-one mentoring for mentees and mentors Blind and low vision. If you are interested in applying for any of these Mentoring opportunities, submit our Youth Application and PYD staff will be in touch with you!
All of our mentors volunteer their time to serve as positive role models, trusted guides, and dedicated friends to their mentees. Interested in being a mentor? Submit our Volunteer Application and PYD Staff will be in touch with you!
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 14-26) 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 14-26) 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.
Mentoring in Action: Stories from PYD Mentees and Mentors
Listen as matches from PYD share their stories, highlighting the impact mentoring can have on kids with disabilities.
Program Contacts
Jordan “Jordy” Lome
Match Support Manager
They, Them, Theirs
Phone: 617-556-4075 x119
Email: jlome@pyd.org
Matthew Jameson
AmeriCorps Mentoring Advocate
He, Him, His
Phone: 617-556-4075 x145
Email: mjameson@pyd.org
Susannah Woodford
Program Specialist
She, Her, Hers
Phone: 617-556-4075 x141
Email: swoodford@pyd.org
