New Beginnings - At Light of Day Event

At Light of Day is the premier annual fundraising event for You’re With Us! While we were joyously preparing for this breakfast in Spring 2020, life as we all know it came to a staggering, and horrific halt. YWU certainly discovered, during those harrowing few months, those that stood by us as our stalwart supporters and we have been so grateful for it. Join us as we celebrate and recognize outstanding partners, showcase community impact, and raise funds to advance our mission.

Join Us!

Our Mission Statement

You’re With Us! is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and a Department of Developmental Services (DDS) service provider that creates inclusion opportunities for young adults with disabilities. The program identifies and trains college clubs, groups, and teams to welcome individuals with disabilities into their groups as they are. You’re With Us! believes that a meaningful life includes a home, a job, family, friends and social opportunities with their peers - able and otherwise.

Testimonials

"Most recently, through Pete’s (Nick's mentor) enthusiasm and advocacy, Nick has been able to audit the Perspective on a Coaching course at SSU! Of course, Nick is thrilled to be in a typical college class, learning about a topic he is passionate about with some of his peers from the baseball team! Pete’s instinct that Coach Passinari would be a good instructional match for Nick was spot on. Not only is Nick learning new things about coaching, he is a truly motivated learner with this motivation spilling over into other areas."

- Jodi Jarvis, YWU Participant Parent

“YWU! is an easy way to change lives through inclusion. It blows my mind how separated people who have disabilities are from the general population. Sports have always introduced me to some of my favorite and closest friends – why not open that door to someone else whom would really benefit from it?”

- Cat S., Northeastern University Girls Soccer

“I think the YWU! program is a great learning experience for both my mentee Nick and I. I think it’s expanding both of our worlds for the better. I plan on keeping in touch with Nick and the program out of season. We have a routine of getting lunch every Tuesday.”

- Peter G., Salem State University

Schools

Featured Supporters

Our Vision

You’re With Us! creates inclusion opportunities for young adults with disabilities. The program identifies and trains college clubs, groups, and teams to be welcoming and supportive peers to the differently abled. The college group then creates a Positive Experience Design (PED) customized for the young adult to help him or her transition from school to an adult life in the community. You’re With Us! believes that a meaningful life includes a home, a job, family, friends and social opportunities with their peers - able and otherwise.

Our History

The Benefits

It has been said a person's quality of life is directly linked to the quality of the relationships in their life. You’re With Us! provides adolescents/young adults with the unique opportunity to belong to a group--just like any person would or could--- and derive the typical benefits people receive from out-of-school activities. In addition, our participants have the unique ability to profoundly affect those around them. By being included in their groups, our participants open up college students---and college campuses---to compassion and empathy, and provide them with leadership opportunities that would otherwise not be available. In essence, our framework enables our participants and peer mentors to “practice together” in the non-disabled community, which is the setting where they will be expected to function and thrive for the balance of their lives.

The Program

We locate possible opportunities to join college groups, teams, and clubs; coordinate recruitment into the group; act as the liaison between the family, school, and college/university; train mentors of the college groups to be responsible for making sure participants are included and connected with the group, facilitate communication between all parties; facilitate group education and development of Positive Experience Design; gather data on impact and quality of life; create and coordinate social connections across campus for participants and families; facilitate possible job/career opportunities through college career resources; offer support services as needed (ABA, BCBA, Monitor); create systems and manuals for future schools; and generally problem solve.

Board of Directors

Our board is committed to helping people with disabilities have a life in the community which includes a sense of belonging to a group. We have leaders in the youth development and special needs transition space helping coach our participants, families and college students to successful outcomes.