People with Disabilities Lend a Hand to Olympic Effort
By Paul Smoller

Young adults from YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities are lending their support to the effort to bring the 2012 Olympic Games to New York City.

NYC 2012 contacted YAI in late December to see if their volunteers with developmental and learning disabilities could work with 2012 volunteers to assemble and pack 1,740 snow globes, featuring the Empire State Buildin and five colored rings. The snow globes are being sent to donors, friends and supporters of NYC 2012.

“Since our guys are already involved in volunteerism, this really helps them connect with their community and play a big part in a major event such as bringing the Olympics to the city,” said Gary Milchman, Coordinator of YAI’s Manhattan Day Treatment Program. “Just like anyone, when they feel good about their jobs, they feel good about themselves.”

Marilyn Shaw, Director of Volunteer Services for NYC 2012, had tried desperately to solicit volunteers for the project and found a willing group when she contacted YAI. Nearly 50 young adults from programs in Manhattan and Queens have been working side-by-side with members of NYC 2012’s Volunteer Team.

“NYC 2012 volunteers were so excited once they heard about working with the young adults from YAI,” Ms. Shaw said. “This is such a good way for us to give back to a community of volunteers who we really don’t know that well.”

This type of volunteer effort has mutual benefits. The YAI volunteers are doing productive work for NYC 2012 and are contributing to society. At the same time, they are changing the public’s perception about the abilities of people with disabilities. Meanwhile, NYC 2012 is getting enthusiastic, dedicated workers who are getting the job done on a tight schedule.

“I like working with different people” said Luis, a YAI volunteer. “I like putting the snow globes in the bubble packs.”

YAI’s participants have enjoyed being part of a team, according to Karen Abbe, YAI’s senior supervisor at Manhattan Day. “We have people of all different functioning levels working on different parts of the job,” she added. “People with disabilities are seen traditionally as benefiting from volunteer work. Our participants like giving back to the community.”

And for the volunteers from NYC 2012, the experience has been just as satisfying.

“When I was leaving I got three hugs from YAI volunteers,“ Ms. Shaw said. “You won’t experience that volunteer relationship anywhere else. I love working with them.”

For more information about giving YAI volunteers a chance to do good work in your community, please contact Carolyn Horn, supervisor of community outreach for YAI’s day services department, at 212-273-2165.#

Paul Smoller, M.A., C.C.C., is director of Day Services for YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities.

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