Patrick-Murray Administration Honors Norton Youth

The Patrick-Murray Administration today honored members of the Department of Developmental Services’ Urban Youth Collaborative Program (UYCP) during a celebration and awards ceremony at the State House. Nearly 200 interns, including Tierney Marceau of Norton, have assisted in the care of individuals with developmental disabilities at state-operated programs and developmental centers through the program this summer.

 Marceau also received this year’s Current Service Award.

 “I'm very proud of the Urban Youth Collaborative Program and its impact on both the student interns who participate, and the individuals served,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “As these young people complete their internships, we hope that they will carry with them a passion for service and will consider pursuing careers in this important field.”

 The UYCP, now in its 20th 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 developmental disabilities. DDS manages Urban Youth Collaborative internship programs in Boston, Cambridge/Somerville, Fall River, New Bedford, Fitchburg/Leominster, Lawrence, Lowell, Quincy, Brockton, Springfield/Westfield, Holyoke/Chicopee, Worcester and the Central/Western region of the state.

  “The Urban Youth Collaborative Program is designed to encourage a diverse group of talented young people to consider careers in the human service field,” said secretary of health and human services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. “Through this more than 200 interns had the opportunity to have meaningful experiences with people with developmental disabilities and foster their own commitment to public service.”

  “Today we honor and thank the participants of the Urban Youth Collaborative Program, who have spent their summer caring for and getting to know people with developmental disabilities across the state,” said DDS commissioner Elin Howe.  “They have shown commitment and dedication to this important work and made meaningful contributions to the people they serve. Our hope is that they have learned as much from our consumers as our consumers have learned from them.”

 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 statewide, 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.