As we continue to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we're proud to share successful employment profile. Bari Winters is extremely knowledgeable about the Old Navy brand and its merchandise. "There's Rockstar, curvy, boyfriend, boot cut," she says, barely taking a breath as she describes the Old Navy brand of jeans and styles. She knows which run large or true to size and is quick to add, "and you get 40 percent

Jeffery Mordos has been named Chairman of the YAI Board of Trustees, effective October 1. He succeeds George Contos, our new CEO. 

Green tea has been shown to have numerous health benefits. And now there's a new one. Thanks to a novel partnership with the YAI Network, Nobu Restaurants will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from every cup of green tea sold throughout the U.S. 

Even before they were hired as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) recently at YAI's Howard Beach residence and supportive apartments, Stephanie Arias and Cody Souffrant both got a taste of YAI's person-centered mission. 

A spirited group of people with disabilities, families, staff and board members from YAI cheered and marched proudly in New York City's first Disability Pride Parade on Sunday. Their enthusiasm stood out among the parade's 3,000 participants. July is Disability Pride Month in New York City, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

In honor of Father's Day, we'd like to share a profile of two Dads who share their thoughts on raising a child with special needs. 

Thanks to a partnership with Bank of America, two students from NYL's Roosevelt Children's Center participated recently in the Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America. 

Anna Schechter, LMSW, Supervisor of our Hankering for More socialization program, finds it's not that individuals with autism don't want to connect. The truth is that they may not want to connect with others in the black-and-white way we usually think about connection.

Lana Small, Coordinator of YAI's Community Habilitation program, provides her tips on increasing the success of behavior plans.