Partners for Youth with Disabilities

What Partners for Youth with Disabilities does

Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 and headquartered at 89 South Street, Suite 103, Boston, Massachusetts. The organization serves transition-age youth with disabilities (ages 12-24), primarily in Greater Boston, through an integrated portfolio of programs including flagship 1:1, peer, and group Mentoring, Career Readiness training, the annual Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), and the Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship for college students and recent graduates. Its underlying technology stack is modest but functional: the LearnWorlds-powered LEARN platform (pyd.learnworlds.com) hosts on-demand online courses and the licensed Career Readiness Curriculum; Zoom supports virtual events; and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles underpin programming. The Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame (257 inductees since 2015) and the National Disability Mentoring Coalition (NDMC) extend PYD's reach nationally.

PYD operates a hybrid revenue model: roughly the majority of funding comes from individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (Cummings Foundation, Mildred's Dream Foundation), and government grants, supplemented by corporate scholarship partnerships (Denny's Hungry for Education, PYD/GEICO Changemaker Scholarship). Earned income is generated through fee-based B2B services — the cohort-based National Disability Mentoring Certification (211 professionals from 95 organizations across 34 states plus Canada and The Bahamas) and the 16-unit Career Readiness Curriculum licensed to schools and nonprofits. Youth-facing programs (mentoring, YLF, Fellowship, Job Lab) are free to participants, while training and certification pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. PYD is governed by an independent Board of Directors (President Jean M. Joy, Treasurer Andrew E. Bentley, Clerk Jay S. Krish), led by Executive Director Lynn Gonsalves (doctorate from Brandeis's Heller School), and operates with approximately 17-20 staff across programs, operations, and marketing.

Name

Partners for Youth with Disabilities

Legal name

Partners for Youth with Disabilities, Inc.

Website

https://pyd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PYD is a Boston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1985 that delivers mentoring, career readiness, and youth leadership programs to transition-age youth with disabilities (ages 12-24), and nationally licenses its Career Readiness Curriculum, runs a Disability Mentoring Certification, and operates the Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame and National Disability Mentoring Coalition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM), Disability Case Management, Retention & Student Support (EDALAGAJ), Disability & Chronic Condition Care Coordination (EDALAFAI), Faculty/Staff Training & Accessibility Awareness Programs (EDALAGAI)

Keywords

• Disability youth mentoring
• Career readiness training
• Disability mentoring certification
• Youth leadership development
• Inclusive workplace training

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Individual and Corporate Donations: PYD raises operating funds from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations. The website features a Stripe-powered online donation portal, donor-advised fund integration, and options for in-kind donations of products, services, and volunteer hours.
2. Foundation and Government Grants: PYD receives grant funding from foundations and government sources. Noted partners include Cummings Foundation, Mildred's Dream Foundation, Denny's Hungry for Education, and GEICO. The organization also participates in scholarship co-sponsorship programs.
3. Training and Certification Fees: PYD charges fees for its National Disability Mentoring Certification program (cohort-based) and its Career Readiness Curriculum sold to schools and nonprofits. PYD is a licensed provider of Professional Development Points in Massachusetts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) is a Boston-based nonprofit founded in 1985 that runs an integrated ecosystem of programs for transition-age youth with disabilities (ages 12-24), including a flagship 1:1 Mentoring Program, a Career Readiness Program with hands-on Job Lab simulations, an annual Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), and the Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship for college students/recent grads with disabilities. For professionals and organizations, PYD sells the National Disability Mentoring Certification, licenses a 16-unit Career Readiness Curriculum to schools/nonprofits, delivers live training and professional development, and operates an online learning platform (pyd.learnworlds.com) offering on-demand courses; it also runs the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame.

Product overview

Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD) offers a comprehensive ecosystem of programs designed to empower youth with disabilities and build inclusive workplaces. The core offerings include the flagship Youth Mentoring Program (serving ages 12-24 since 1985), Career Readiness Program for transition-age youth, Youth Leadership Forum (annual conference), and the Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship for college students and recent graduates. Training services include Online Learning (LEARN platform), Live Training & Professional Development, National Disability Mentoring Certification, and a Career Readiness Curriculum for schools. The organization also operates the Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame. These programs work together to provide pathways from mentoring through career development to professional leadership, with a focus on practical skills, real-world experience, and disability inclusion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Mentoring Program PYD's flagship mentoring program serving transition-age youth with disabilities ages 12-24, providing 1:1, peer mentoring, and group mentoring to build real-world skills, social connection, and goal-setting capacity through trusted adult relationships. Free to participants.
• Career Readiness Program An inclusive career development program for transition-age youth with disabilities that addresses barriers to employment through hands-on training (including the PYD Job Lab simulations of restaurant, CVS, and doctor's office), job shadowing, mock interviews, and internships. Includes the Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship for college students/recent graduates.
• Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) An annual, free residential conference for Massachusetts youth with disabilities ages 16-21 (Delegates) and 18-21 (Peer Leaders), held at host college campuses (YLF Boston June 25-29 at Emerson College; YLF Central MA July 26-29 at Worcester State University). Builds leadership, advocacy, career readiness, and disability-pride skills. Peer Leaders receive a $500 stipend.
• National Disability Mentoring Certification A cohort-based, fee-based professional certification program teaching professionals and organizations how to run mentoring programs inclusive of youth, volunteers, and staff with disabilities. Includes an Inclusion Action Plan framework, ready-to-use templates, and a national peer community. Spring 2026 cohort referenced; has certified 211 professionals from 95 organizations across 34 states plus Canada and The Bahamas.
• Career Readiness Curriculum (Licensing) A 16-unit, ready-to-teach, disability-inclusive curriculum for high school classrooms covering job readiness, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and self-advocacy. Licensed to schools and nonprofits nationwide with bundle including startup training, personalized onboarding, ongoing support, and access to PYD experts. PYD is a licensed provider of Professional Development Points in Massachusetts.
• Live Training & Professional Development In-person or virtual training sessions on disability and inclusion, neurodiversity, Universal Design for Learning, accessible events, and inclusive workplaces, offered in 60-90 minute single sessions or multi-session series for organizations. Quote-based pricing with free 15-minute consultations.
• Online Learning Platform (LEARN) PYD's LearnWorlds-powered online learning platform hosting on-demand, self-paced training courses for educators, nonprofits, and employers covering lived-disability-experience-based strategies across disability and inclusion, neurodiversity, Universal Design for Learning, and accessible events. Delivered globally as a self-serve product.
• Dinah F.B. Cohen Fellowship Program A national 12-week leadership program for college students and recent graduates with disabilities, providing professional skills development, leadership opportunities, and a $1,500 stipend upon completion. Fellows collaborate on disability inclusion projects and join an alumni community (the first Fellowship Alumni Liaison was appointed in 2024). Free to participants; grant-funded.

Quantifiable outcome

• High school graduation rate among participants highlighted as a core program outcome metric
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMass Mentoring Partnership is listed as a partner on the About page. MMP is a Massachusetts-based organization supporting youth mentoring programs, likely collaborating on best practices, advocacy, and referral networks for youth with disabilities.
• PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm and corporate partner supporting PYD. Logo displayed on the About page partners section, indicating potential pro-bono consulting, professional development support, or workforce inclusion consulting partnership.
• Boston Center for Independent LivingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYLF partner organization for the 2025 Youth Leadership Forum. BCIL is a key Massachusetts disability advocacy and independent living organization that co-designs and delivers YLF workshops and programming.
• Easterseals MassachusettsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYLF partner for the 2025 Youth Leadership Forum. Easterseals provides services, programs, and expertise in disability employment and independent living, collaborating on YLF content and participant support.
• EPIC, Young Leaders with DisabilitiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYLF partner for the 2025 Youth Leadership Forum. EPIC provides youth leadership development programming and expertise for young adults with disabilities, contributing to YLF curriculum and workshops.
• Independence AssociatesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYLF partner for the 2025 Youth Leadership Forum. Independence Associates provides independent living expertise and programming for people with disabilities in Massachusetts, contributing to YLF workshop facilitation.
• Northeast Independent Living Program (NILP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYLF partner for the 2025 Youth Leadership Forum. NILP is a Centers for Independent Living (CIL) organization serving northeastern Massachusetts, providing expertise and resources to YLF participants.
• Perkins School for the BlindmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYLF partner for the 2025 Youth Leadership Forum. Perkins School for the Blind contributes specialized expertise in visual impairment, blindness, and disability education to YLF workshops and programming.
• StavrosmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYLF partner for the 2025 Youth Leadership Forum. Stavros is an independent living center providing services to people with disabilities in Western Massachusetts, contributing to YLF program delivery.
• Northeastern University — Artistic MindsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudent organization at Northeastern University that partners with PYD to facilitate collaborative art projects at events including Honors Night and monthly Mentor Mixers. Provides creative engagement and community-building activities.
• Emerson CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for YLF Boston 2026 (June 25-29). Emerson College provides its campus facilities (dormitory housing, event spaces) for the annual Youth Leadership Forum, enabling residential programming.
• Worcester State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for YLF Central MA 2026 (July 26-29). Worcester State University provides campus facilities for the regional Youth Leadership Forum in Worcester, MA.
• Well Coffee HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Boston coffee shop that hosted PYD's annual Trade Show in 2026, providing the venue for Career Readiness students to practice entrepreneurial skills (selling handmade crafts, handling transactions). Created 'Mentor Matcha' product with proceeds supporting PYD's mission.
• Macy'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail partner for PYD's annual Fashion Show event. Macy's provided the venue and clothing for PYD youth participants to model on the runway. Participants received Macy's gift cards following the show.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Best Buddies International: Best Buddies runs 1:1 friendship and integrated employment mentoring for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including a Jobs Program focused on competitive employment for people with disabilities. Overlaps with PYD's Youth Mentoring and Career Readiness programs on both the mentoring model and the employer-inclusion thesis.
• Perkins School for the Blind: Perkins delivers K–12 and transition services as well as international professional development for educators of students with disabilities. Listed as a YLF content partner of PYD, with overlapping expertise in disability-specific programming and teacher/caregiver training revenue streams.
• YAI / Young Adult Institute: YAI is a large New York-based nonprofit providing lifespan services — including transition, employment, and inclusion training — for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable to PYD on youth career-readiness and inclusion-training revenue mix, with significantly larger scale.
• Special Olympics Massachusetts: Special Olympics Massachusetts provides youth programming, school-based inclusive activities, and workforce/inclusion programming for people with intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a disability-focused Massachusetts nonprofit mixing free youth services with corporate-sponsored workforce content.
• The Arc of the United States: The Arc is a national nonprofit providing advocacy, employment supports, transition services, and inclusive education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its chapter network delivers transition-age youth programming directly comparable to PYD's Career Readiness and YLF offerings.
• Easterseals Massachusetts: Affiliated with the national Easterseals network, Easterseals Massachusetts provides disability employment, transition, and independent living services for youth and adults. Listed as an active YLF delivery partner for PYD, it operates the same mission lane across Massachusetts, serving overlapping disability populations with employment-readiness programming.
• Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL): BCIL is a Massachusetts Centers for Independent Living organization providing skills training, advocacy, and transition support for people with disabilities. Co-designs YLF workshops with PYD and competes for the same state and foundation funding pools in Greater Boston.

Broad incumbents

• AbilityOne / SourceAmerica (National Industries for the Blind): AbilityOne is a federal program and national nonprofit network providing employment and training for people with significant disabilities, including blindness. Operates at much larger scale than PYD and addresses the same employer-side disability-inclusion pipeline PYD's Job Lab and Career Readiness target.

Others

• National Urban League (NUL): NUL partners with PYD as a fellow national partner in the Denny's Hungry for Education Scholarship Program. While not a direct disability-services peer, NUL is a relevant ecosystem comparator because it operates youth workforce and education programs drawing on similar corporate scholarship funding pools.

Emerging players

• Center for Future of Work (Discovery Museum / CAST affiliate programs): CAST, where PYD's Director of Youth Programs previously worked, operates nationwide Universal Design for Learning professional development and curriculum programs for schools serving students with disabilities. Comparable to PYD's licensed Career Readiness Curriculum and Online Learning offerings on pedagogy and training format.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4ALXsI7RVZfxzoWv7No1Xg
• Facebookfacebook.com/pydboston
• Instagraminstagram.com/PYDPrograms
• Xx.com/PYDboston
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/partners-for-youth-with-disabilities

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Partners for Youth with Disabilities