Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Partners for Youth with Disabilities
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 89 South Street, Suite 103
City: Boston
State: MA
Postal Code: 02111
Main Phone: 617-556-4075
Main Fax:
Organization Website: www.pyd.org
Employer ID Number: 222627798 
Organization Tax Status: 501c(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/12/2026
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Career Readiness for youth with disabilities
Project Description:

Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) is seeking a $10,000 grant to support the Career Readiness program, through which over 300 youth with disabilities gain skills and opportunities relating to job-readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship; real world experiences; and networking with business mentors. PYD works to close the economic gap experienced by people with disabilities by preparing low-income young adults with disabilities to transition successfully to employment, postsecondary education, and independent living through sustainable pathways that connect education, training, and employment through skill building and mentorship.

Participants complete an academic year long course focused on job-readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. The curriculum emphasizes employee soft skills, stress and time management, interview skills, professional behavior and communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and reasonable accommodations in the workplace. By the conclusion of the program, students create practical tools to support their job search, such as professional resumes, tailored cover letters, and sample job applications. Classroom learning is supplemented with real world experiences such as job shadows, guest lectures, mock interviews, and internships. Students have opportunities to network with business professionals and practice skills through these hands-on learning experiences. Professional mentors support and guide youth to be successful in employment or postsecondary education.

Youth with disabilities who complete our career readiness training are better prepared for success in the workplace with the skills and confidence gained. Last fiscal year, 67% of youth obtained paid employment as a result of participation in the program, and our long-term survey of previous PYD participants revealed that 67% of participants are employed, compared with an employment rate of 22% for all adults with disabilities, (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor). In addition, 84% of previous participants expressed that PYD helped them feel more competent in their abilities in the workplace.  

Total Project Budget: $748,503

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed funders include: MassAbility- $373,000 City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Jobs & Community Service (EDIC) Workforce Development – $56,000 Charlestown Community Impact Fund – $9,000 PwC Foundation $20,000 American Student Assistance – $100,000 Ludcke Foundation – $50,000 Mildred’s Dream Foundation – $25,000 Needham Bank – $5,000 Liberty Mutual Foundation – $10,000 TJX Foundation – $29,900 Potential funders include: Nordstrom Cares – $20,000 Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation – $20,000 Main Street Group Foundation – $15,000 M & T Bank Charitable Foundation – $20,000 Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation – $150,000 Moses Kimball Fund – $10,000 Catalyze Challenge – $50,000 Bank of America Charitable Foundation $50,000 Educating All Learners Alliance $35,000

Project Duration: January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027
Geographical Area Served: Greater Boston area
Age Group To Be Served: 14-21

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Dr.
Contact First Name: Lynn
Contact Last Name: Gonsalves
Contact Title: Executive Director
Contact Phone: 617-556-4075
Contact Email: development@pyd.org