Trigger Video Mobile
Watch our video and learn how to tell your story
Blog
Kessler Foundation: People with disabilities reached new employment levels in 2022, outperforming their peers without disabilities

According to a new report by the Kessler Foundation and the  University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (UNH-IOD), 2022 was “a remarkable and historic time for the employment of people with disabilities.” The group released their National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) 2022 Year-End Special Edition, which, based on data from the U.S. Bureau […]

Read More

MDSC awards inaugural Employee of the Year Award to Lowell’s Philip Donahue, who has worked at Market Basket more than 25 years

Burlington, MA. (May 1, 2022) – The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC), the premier resource for Down syndrome information, advocacy and networking in Massachusetts, is proud to present Philip A. Donahue of Lowell with MDSC’s inaugural Your Next Star Employee of the Year Award. Philip, 53, has worked at Market Basket for a total of […]

Read More

Forbes: Collette Divitto, Cookie Entrepreneur, Stars In New Peacock Docuseries

Reprinted from Forbes online by Steven Aquino Contributor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion NBCUniversal-backed Peacock launched an original documentary series late last month called Born for Business, which premiered on August 23. The show chronicles the journeys of four entrepreneurial disabled people who are running their own small business. In a press release, Peacock describes the series as “powerful” […]

Read More

WBUR: Bill Aims To Increase College Access For Mass Students With Intellectual Disabilities

WBUR September 03, 2021 by Carrie Jung Ipswich resident Matthew Cullen said he knew he wanted to go to college since his early teens. “My friends and brother and sister went off to college, and I said, ‘Why can’t I?’ ” Cullen told lawmakers in a recent public hearing for the Massachusetts Joint Committee on […]

Read More

Job Openings from YNS Employer Partners

Several of our employer partners through the Your Next Star Employment program are looking to fill positions with qualified candidates in our community. See below for more information. Daytime Custodian 4 hours/day (Schedule negotiable) Location: Canton, MA (off Route 138) Providing janitorial services in an active office building. Includes interacting with office employees in the […]

Read More

Market Basket celebrates Phil’s 25 years of employment

With the coronavirus pandemic in full swing, our Your Next Star ambassador Phil Donahue took some time off from his job at Market Basket in Tewksbury. However, he was invited back to Market Basket to celebrate his remarkable 25th Anniversary! So, after 3 months away from the store, Phil returned to celebrate with co-workers and […]

Read More

On the cusp of adulthood

We are excited to share this powerful blog post from our Your Next Star collaborators, Work Without Limits, and written by AIM dad Scott Borchardt, a partner at PwC, another YNS collaborator. By Scott Borchardt Our daughter, Noelle, is on the cusp of adulthood. She’s an engaging 21-year-old with Down Syndrome, who is excited about […]

Read More

Introducing A Tax-Smart Way to Save for Disability Expenses 

With the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, Americans with disabilities now have the opportunity to save and invest in a tax-advantaged account for short and long-term disability related expenses, without risking their disability benefits. An ABLE account is a smart way to save that supplements, rather than replaces, your Medicaid […]

Read More

Your Next Star Ambassador Collette Divitto’s Business is Booming

We couldn’t be prouder of our Your Next Star Ambassador Collette Divitto, whose business is booming a year after the 27-year-old’s story went viral. As our YNS Ambassador, Collette is a shining example of what people with Down syndrome can do if given the opportunity. BOSTON (CBS) – You can’t blame Collette Divitto for feeling […]

Read More

MA Disability Mentoring Week

Our friends at the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD) and the Human Resources Division (HRD) are partnering to host “Disability Mentoring Week (DMW)” from Oct. 17 to 19. This will be an opportunity for persons with disabilities to explore career opportunities within state government. Each mentee will be paired with a Massachusetts state government professional […]

Read More

Walmart Foundation funds Your Next Star with $25K Grant

Following a competitive review process, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress has been selected to receive $25,000 through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program to fund expansion of the organization Your Next Star employment initiative. Your Next Star came about because of the MDSC’s increasing awareness of the challenges facing adults with Down syndrome looking for […]

Read More

People with Down Syndrome Need Jobs, Not ‘Special Jobs’

We loved this promo featuring Glee’s Lauren Potter (who happens to be a good friend of the MDSC and special guest at our Buddy Walk). As she says, “What we really need” is nothing special ~ a quality education, friends, acceptance and, of course, good job opportunities.

Read More