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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 […]

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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” […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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.

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Collettey’s Cookies booming after story goes viral

After a story about her venture on CBS went viral, MDSC member Collette Divitto’s cookie business is thriving.

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McDonald’s Employee with Down Syndrome Retires After 32 Years of Dedication

Long-time McDonald’s employee, Freia David, celebrates 32 years of being in the workplace. Freia, who has Down syndrome, started working at the Needham McDonald’s in 1984. Freia was the first of many success stories that show how adults with disabilities can thrive in the workplace. Freia was one of the first to benefit from the Charles […]

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