Blog Stories

Thanks to quick thinking and seamless coordination among YAI’s Long Island staff, residents at YAI’s Sprucewood location are settling back into their routines after an electrical fire destroyed part of their home on March 25. The bright spring day turned ominous when smoke alarms sounded throughout the rooms at Sprucewood. Although there was no immediate sign of fire, the home’s staff leapt into action to make sure everyone was safely evacuated.

When it comes to public transportation, no other city compares to New York with its thousands of buses, subways, and ferries. But for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), these options can be more overwhelming than convenient.

Last Thursday, Ja-Mel Johnson, a YAI Human Resources Generalist, accepted an award from the Institute for Career Development (ICD) recognizing YAI as its Employer Partner of the Year.

April 16 was a day for celebration, as nine of the people that YAI supports were recognized by the Queens Council on Developmental Disabilities for their tremendous accomplishments.

Spring means love is in the air. On April 8, members of YAI's Manhattan Recreation Services, a program created to support independent adults through recreational activities, celebrated a special 46th wedding anniversary. Stanley and Nattlie Brooks have been together for 48 years.

Phone calls are a constant in a residential program. Whether it’s the bus matron giving a heads up on an arrival time, a family member calling with a question, or a robocall offering an extended car warranty, the phone is always ringing. Recently, one phone call at YAI’s Foothill residence in Queens brought some heartwarming news.

Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York State budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year on March 31. A mixed bag for the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, the budget contains items which directly affect the lives of people with disabilities and direct support staff.

On April 5, Angela Chan, who volunteers through YAI’s Elmsford Day Hab, received Volunteer New York!’s first ever Transformation Award. The award was given at the 39th Volunteer Spirit Awards at the Westchester Marriot in Tarrytown, New York to honor volunteers who have overcome personal challenges through their volunteer work.

YAI held its annual Autism Conference on April 2, 2019, coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day to match a moment when the global community reflects on advances in care, treatment, and understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

On March 21, a group of seven District 75 high school students came to YAI’s Central Office to learn about different career paths available for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). YAI’s Employment Services Program supports people with I/DD through every stage of the employment process, from resume writing, to mock interviews, to ongoing job coaching.