YAI

Today YAI celebrates our 20th Latino Conference! We are so proud to support the Latino community by hosting this important event each year. Our gratitude also goes out to the NYC Council for their support! Gracias. ¡Hoy YAI celebro nuestra 20ª Conferencia Latina! Estamos muy orgullosos de apoyar a la comunidad latina organizando este importante evento cada año. ¡Nuestro agradecimiento también al Ayuntamiento de Nueva York por su apoyo! gracias. Watch the trailer here - https://lnkd.in/ebCd5eEb.

Yesterday, YAI was honored to host Willow Baer, NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Acting Commissioner. She got to meet with staff and people we support and learn more about our work and our challenges. A particular highlight was hearing from Sheldon and Rodrigo, two young men who were part of OPWDD's Community Transition Initiative (CTI). They recently moved in to YAI residences after prolonged hospital stays and are flourishing in their new homes. "It couldn't be much better," shared Sheldon. "I love it, it's really good." We look forward to more successful collaborations with OPWDD in the future! Read more about the CTI here - https://lnkd.in/eP8yuyqq.

YAI California's first leadership conference was a resounding success! Our dedicated team gathered to celebrate our mission, discuss innovative services, and recognize exceptional contributions. Check out this video snippet with Cheryl Karran, Senior Regional Director of YAI California, as she highlights the dedication of our staff and the impact of loving your work. #YAILeadershipConference #MakingADifference #IDDCommunity

Join Consuelo Senior, LMSW, Assistant Director of YAI Knowledge, for two insightful sessions at Jawonio's Autism Resource Training Center. On October 16, 2024, at 7 PM, learn about "Sexuality for People on the Autism Spectrum." Then, on November 13, 2024, at 7 PM, discover strategies for "Helping People with Autism to Build Healthy Relationships" and understand the CDPAP program. Register now : https://bit.ly/3ZWbmKZ #Autism #MentalHealth #SupportServices

Meet the Keynote Speaker for YAI's 20th Latino Conference! Dr. Azaret is the clinical director of the Psychology Department at Nicklaus Children's Hospital and a faculty member of the Pediatric Residency Program, where she trains the next generation of doctors. She also has extensive media experience, having worked as a CNN presenter and as a medical contributor on "Vive la Salud con la Dra. Azaret" from 2011 to 2023. Don’t miss the chance to hear her inspiring insights! Register today for the conference on October 11 at www.yai.org/latino. We look forward to seeing you there! #LatinoConference#MentalHealth #IntellectualAndDevelopmentalDisabilities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month! At YAI, we celebrate the contributions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workforce. Together, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone. Let’s raise awareness and advocate for equal employment opportunities! 💪 #NDEAM #InclusionMatters

Finding Comfort in Familiar Faces: A Hospice Journey (3/3) For Rita, Bryan, and the staff at YAI, caring for Armando has been a profound honor. “Believe me when I say this, it’s an absolute privilege for me to take care of Armando,” Rita said. “When I am with him, I try to do everything I didn’t have a chance to do for my own family members in Haiti who all passed away in their fifties.” Surrounded by his peers and those who have cared for him for nearly 30 years, Armando passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, September 24, 2024. His journey has been one of love, comfort, and compassion, and one that his YAI family will never forget. Link in bio to read Armando’s full story and how his caregivers made his final days truly meaningful.

Finding Comfort in Familiar Faces: A Hospice Journey (2/3) Armando, who is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum, was diagnosed with acute renal failure in June. Knowing his time was limited, staff brought him home while he received hospice care. “We wanted to be the people who took care of him as long as we could,” said Bryan Dempsey, Assistant Program Director of the residence where Rojas lives. “We’re the ones who hold his story.” Armando, who grew up as an only child in a Peruvian family, has called his YAI residence in Queens his home for more than two decades. Link in bio to read Armando’s full story.

Finding Comfort in Familiar Faces: A Hospice Journey (1/3) Carlos Armando Rojas loves to laugh. Even on the hardest days, a simple tickle under his chin brings out that joy in him. Food is another source of comfort—especially his favorite: chicken noodle soup, made just the way he likes by Rita Poliard, his caregiver of 14 years. Recently, while listening to Julio Iglesias, Rita danced at the foot of his bed, tickling his feet. Armando’s smile turned to tears. "It’s ok, Mandito," she whispered. "You have us. We’re not going anywhere." Link in bio to read Armando’s full story.

¡Es hora de celebrar! Únase a YAI en nuestra vigésima Conferencia Latina y escuche historias inspiradoras, almuerce con otras familias, escuche buena música, cree un imán fotográfico para llevar a casa y mucho más. ¡Regístrese hoy! www.yai.org/latino. YAI’s 20th Latino Conference is on October 11th! Please share with Spanish-speaking people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, parents, caregivers, and service providers who are all invited to join us at this special celebration! More information and registration at www.yai.org/latino #YAI #ConferenciaLatina #InclusionMatters #IntellectualAndDevelopmentalDisabilities #HistoriasInspiradoras #Familia #MúsicaYComunidad