NH Center for Youth Empowerment Services

Expanding the horizons for youth with disabilities

The IOD, in partnership with People First of NH, the Alliance for Community Supports, Under One Roof, and several other disability organizations, is pleased to announce the formation of the New Hampshire Center for Youth Empowerment Services (YES) thanks to funding recently received from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. Though YES is only in its first stages of development, exciting opportunities are already in the works for a new generation of leaders in the disability world.

YES will focus on recruiting and serving young people with developmental disabilities in NH between the ages of 13 and 17, as well as emerging leaders between the ages of 18 and 30. As part of the YES's plans for advancing leadership, self-advocacy, and positive adult outcomes, YES will engage 15-20 emerging leaders and their families in an annual intensive Youth NH Leadership Series, a program modeled after the annual NH Leadership Series. The Youth NH Leadership Series will focus on developing self-efficacy and self-advocacy skills to improve employment, transportation, health, and housing policies and outcomes.

Tracy Moltisanti, a recent graduate of Bow High School and the new YES Program Assistant, can barely contain her excitement when she talks about this project. "We finally have something that's just for younger people," said Tracy, "and this is going to be an eye-opener for many." Right now, Tracy is researching other programs around the country that work with youth with disabilities, and she can't wait to help motivate and encourage other youth through the Youth NH Leadership Series.

"A lot of young people with disabilities don't know what is possible for them," said Tracy. "A lot of times, parents interfere, or there are lots of staff people telling you what to do, and everyone just goes with the flow. If you're not happy, say you're not happy. Be well spoken, know what you want in life, and go for it. Stick up for yourself."