Patrick Administration Honors Members of the Department of Developmental Services’ Urban Youth Collaborative Program

Honorees include 53 from Central Massachusetts

BOSTON — The Patrick Administration honored members of the Department of Developmental Services’ Urban Youth Collaborative Program (UYCP) at a celebration and awards ceremony at the State House yesterday. More than 210 interns, including 53 from the Central Massachusetts area, have been assisting in the care of individuals with developmental disabilities at state-operated programs and developmental centers across the state this summer.

The Urban Youth Collaborative Program, now in its 18th year, introduces young adults to the field of human services, helps build an experienced workforce for the future, and supports efforts to reduce the stigma associated with disabilities.

The program complements Governor Deval Patrick’s ongoing commitment to promoting dignity and independence for people with disabilities. In June, the Governor celebrated the renaming of the Department of Developmental Services, which had been known as the Department of Mental Retardation. The Department’s new name offers respect for people with intellectual disabilities and better reflects the broad range of services and supports offered by the agency.

“The Department of Developmental Services is proud to sponsor the Urban Youth Collaborative Program, which enriches the lives of both the student interns and the individuals we support and serve,” said DDS Commissioner Elin Howe. “Our ultimate goal is to encourage young adults to consider careers working with people with developmental disabilities.”

The 53 student interns from the Central Massachusetts area are:

Freda Agyemong, Worcester
Jeffrey Anderson, Gardner
Lauren Arsenault, Fitchburg
Alyssa Belton, Winchendon
Jason Brown, Sterling
Christopher Carey, Worcester
Alyssa Champagne, Phillipston
Nicholas Curelop, Athol
Krystin Gavin, Brimfield
David Goulet, Grafton
Linda Gyimah, Worcester
Emil Igwenagu, Boylston
Prisca Joseph, Worcester
Billy Ludovico, Webster
Katherine Marsh, Ashburnham
Devan McCaw, Winchendon
Tanasha Nelson, Worcester
Tabatha Perez, Worcester
Kiarali Rivera, Worcester
Carla Rodriguez, Worcester
David Ryan, Brimfield
Naja Sobers, Millville
Anne Spont, Bellingham
Jenna Swekla, West Brookfield
Katelin Trant, Leominster
Jackie Vega-Sanchez, Worcester
Heidi Wehmeyer, Winchendon

Julyette Alba, Worcester
Charity Ankrah, Worcester
Ashley Bailey, Winchendon
Shannon Billings, Gardner
Joshua Canu, Gardner
Rebekah Casey, Winchendon
Nicolette Clayton, Worcester
Nana Dwira, Worcester
Andrea Gonzalez, Gardner
Nicholas P. Graham, Grafton
Yadira Hernandez, Worcester
Harrison Ingles, Leominster
Courtney Lapinskas, Orange
Jazmine Maldonado, Worcester
Erin Martioski, Athol
Minerva Nantwi, Worcester
Christopher O’Neill, North Grafton
Casey Riddell, Athol
Steven Robinson, Royalston
Rosalyn Rodriguez, Worcester
Alyssa Smith, Worcester
Alicia Souza, Worcester
Thomas Sullivan, Gardner
Timothy Thiesing, South Grafton
Amanda Tresback, Baldwinville
Sharday Walker, Worcester

The UYCP began in Boston in June 1992, as a collaborative effort with Madison Park High School and Bay Cove Human Services with the goal of interesting young adults from diverse backgrounds in careers in human services. The program has since expanded to 15 Massachusetts communities, with interns placed at state-operated programs, developmental centers and non-profit organizations across the Commonwealth in full-time summer jobs providing support to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Some locations have partnered with local colleges to offer course credit to interns for participating in the program. Since its inception, almost 3,000 interns have taken part in the UYCP, with almost half continuing on to pursue careers in human services.

“The enrichment our Urban Youth Collaborative interns and our consumers gain from spending time together is one of the strengths of this program,” said Jerry Scott, Director of the Urban Youth Collaborative Program.

About the Department of Developmental Services

The Department of Developmental Services is dedicated to creating, in partnership with others, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate fully and meaningfully in, and contribute to, their communities as valued members.

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