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Stories from the NYS PROMISE initiative. NYS PROMISE is a research project for 2,000 families in New York State with 14-16 year old teens who receive Supplemental Social Security income (SSI). The goal of the NYS PROMISE project is to explore the best ways to help kids with disabilities receiving SSI successfully transition from high school to adulthood.
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Seventeen year old New York State PROMISE student, Jennifer is an ambitious young woman who is following her dream of owning her own restaurant. With the help of Promise she has been able to create a resume, develop interviewing skills, and become more independent. Jennifer has been working for the past several years in the restaurant business, and…
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Eighteen-year-old New York State PROMISE student, Hassan, is passionate about animals and informing people about them. His dream is to become a zookeeper or zoologist. With the help of PROMISE, Hassan has had paid and volunteer work experiences at the Aquarium of Niagara. He has made such an impression that the aquarium wants to bring Hassan onto i…
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17-year-old PROMISE student Ajanae has been wanting to work since she was 14 years old. Ajanae is extremely motivated. Promise Community Employment Specialist Kandese McCullough has been mentoring her and has helped Ajanae build her resume and make connections in her community. Ajanae is now working at Five Below through a PROMISE-sponsored paid wo…
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Nineteen year-old PROMISE student, Evalisse, is working two jobs and going to school full time. PROMISE staff helped get her into the world of work through summer youth employment a few years ago. She is using each of her job experiences and college classes to develop valuable skills that are helping to open up new doors for advancement. Evalisse h…
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New York City PROMISE student Destiny-Rae has a busy schedule between working four to five days a week and going to college to pursue her passion of working in the criminal justice field. Every one of her volunteer and work experiences have allowed Destiny-Rae to develop new skills that have helped her mature and will aid in her success in the futu…
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19 year-old New York State PROMISE student Kevon (key-von) has overcome many challenges so far in life. They range from growing up in a neighborhood where violence was prevalent to numerous difficult family and personal situations. The PROMISE team in Western New York, including Niagara Falls Case Manager and Parent Coordinator Mia Crumpton, and Ke…
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Parents of PROMISE youth in New York City will have an opportunity to take part in parent support groups next year. The goal is to help families prepare for the future as students transition to adulthood while PROMISE is phasing out.Door Peter Quinn
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Eighteen-year-old New York State PROMISE student Amaya is excited that she has earned her first paycheck over the summer. Amaya has both short- and long-term goals that PROMISE is helping her to achieve. She's proud of graduating from high school and is ready to take the next steps in both employment and schooling.…
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16 year-old New York State PROMISE student Malcolm has a promising future in the performing arts sector. This past summer he was hired to be an actor by an independent movie company and is also a talented singer and performer. PROMISE has connected him with professional development opportunities to further his budding career in the midst of his hea…
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Over the past five years about 2000 students have been enrolled in New York State PROMISE, which is a research study designed to help determine the most effective ways to help youth successfully transition to adulthood. Half of the youth have been in a control group and the other half are in an intervention group that received a targeted set of cor…
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It has been more than a year since 17 year-old Zanaya was hired at Do the Twist pretzel shop at Green Acres Mall in Queens. New York State PROMISE played an intricate part in Zanaya's success, including helping her scout out the job, preparing her for the interview and working on her people-skills. Zanaya has exceeded everyone's expectations and is…
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Every year, New York State PROMISE recognizes staff members who have done outstanding work as they serve students and families who are enrolled. As a thank you to those staff who have gone above and beyond each spring, PROMISE gives these individuals special awards called Prommies. We want to introduce you to 2 of this year's winners, case manage P…
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One of 19 year-old Kyanna's dreams is to open her own restaurant. New York State PROMISE is helping Kyanna to build a foundation for that goal. PROMISE Community Employment Specialist Kandese McCullough worked with Kyanna on interview preparation skills and connected her with a Shake Shack in Manhattan where Kyanna is now working part-time. Kyanna …
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New York State PROMISE community employment specialists in New York City recently had the opportunity to visit Accenture, which is a global management and consulting firm. The employment specialists are working with PROMISE youth for job readiness training and helping the students secure employment opportunities. The Marriott Foundation's Bridges f…
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PROMISE families in Niagara Falls are making sure they are accessing all of the services they're eligible for, thanks to the hard of the Western New York PROMISE team.Niagara Falls case manager and parent coordinator Mia Crumpton has successfully referred 100% of her families to benefits counselors and either neighborhood legal services or Western …
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We want to introduce you to Jacqueline and her grandson Nasheed, who are enrolled in PROMISE. They have been working with Sandy Jordan, who is a Family Support Coach at the Parent Network of Western New York and service providers. Both Jacqueline and Nasheed have taken steps towards new careers through PROMISE.…
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New York State PROMISE had the opportunity to reconnect with Patrick, who we first introduced you to at the Queens Museum in 2016. Patrick has been gaining many new skills working with PROMISE staff and is currently in an internship where he is learning how to effectively communicate with others. Additionally, PROMISE is helping Patrick's family to…
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Raisa Palma is a Day Habilitation Specialist in New York City for Promise. She works with more than 40 students and helps them to develop skills that they'll need in life. She also focuses on teaching students about money management, understanding their emotions and how to effectively advocate for themselves.…
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PROMISE staff and families had the opportunity to spend quality time with each other for a series of Saturdays at Queens Metropolitan High School. Students explored jobs, computers, and the basics of cooking while their parents got to know each other in a support group. Staff talked with parents about special education issues, social security incom…
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New York State PROMISE wants to introduce you to Michael O'Bryan and the work that he does. Michael was the keynote speaker at the 2017 fall PROMISE Learning Community. He is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Programs at the Village of Arts and Humanities in Philadelphia. Michael also works in the field of trauma informed care. He has a desire …
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There are more than 2-thousand youth enrolled in New York State PROMISE, which is a research project. Half of the students and their families are enrolled in an intervention group and receive a coordinated set of services and supports aimed at promoting a successful transition to adulthood. The other half are in a control group. While students in t…
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Schenectady High School sophomore Lakiyah is excited about getting involved in the world of work. PROMISE case manager Denise Hamedy and service provider Deb Hollner have been helping Lakiyah to develop new skills so she can pursue what she's passionate about. Lakiyah enjoys working with children, so that's where the PROMISE team is focused.…
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Bridges from School to Work was established in 1989 by the Marriott Foundation to help transform the lives of young adults with disabilities through the power of work. PROMISE is excited to welcome Bridges aboard its project. Bridges has an impressive track record of success and is helping to guide PROMISE staff and connect students in New York Cit…
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The New York State PROMISE team in the capital region works closely with Kossianna and her mom Tracy. PROMISE has been able to secure several employment experiences for Kossianna, which have helped her to develop new skills and a resume. Having those have opened the door to paid employment opportunities.…
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New York State PROMISE student Samuel and his mom Gail recently had the opportunity to attend a PROMISE engagement event at Madame Tussauds wax museum in New York City. While the tour was exciting, it's even more exciting to see the positive things happening in Samuel's life. He's working very hard academically, excelling in basketball, and has a d…
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In this podcast, New York State PROMISE wants to give you an overview of the innovative approach it's taking in its research project to determine the most effective ways to improve the outcomes of students with disabilities. Everyday case managers and service providers are working hard on behalf of students enrolled in PROMISE.…
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The Western New York PROMISE team is working with high school senior Cornelius to explore potential careers. Cornelius is motivated to try as many experiences as he can. Meanwhile Cornelius's mom, Charmaine, says PROMISE has also been of great assistance to her.Door Peter Quinn
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PROMISE first introduced you to Angelina and her mom, Janett, about a year ago in September of 2016. Since then, Angelina has been hitting the books hard for school and has had several brief work experiences to help gauge what she is interested in. PROMISE recently caught up with Angelina at Dave and Buster's, which is a restaurant and arcade, in B…
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Audrey is going into 11th grade at Schenectady High School. She has a passion for helping animals and has been trying out several employment options through New York State PROMISE. The PROMISE team, including her Case Manager Kenya Moore, is working with Audrey to identify her interests and develop skillsets that she'll need in future employment op…
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Rikeime will be going into 10th grade at Schenectady High School this fall. The promise team in the capital region have been assessing his skills at numerous work sites in recent months. They're also using person-centered planning to connect Rikeime with opportunities that he is passionate about. Rikeime's love for cars combined with his strong wor…
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New York State PROMISE student, Terry, is passionate about art and has a strong work ethic. He has settled in at Cohoes High School after being in two other districts and is now doing very well. PROMISE first introduced you to Terry's story in 2015 when his case manager, Amelia Allen, went on a field trip with Terry to a museum, which broadened his…
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It takes a brave person to be willing to rush into a burning building to save others. Meet New York State PROMISE student, Jacob, from Albany. His dream is to become a firefighter. His service provider, Valerie Waugh, from the Northeast Career Planning, and case manager, Kierra Keyes-Parker, are using person-centered planning to make sure that the …
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Michael Saccocio is the Executive Director of the City Mission of Schenectady. He also delivered the keynote address at the spring 2017 Learning Community where PROMISE staff from all over the state gathered. Saccocio urged people working on PROMISE to remember that they can see lives positively impacted around them every day, even in difficult cir…
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15 year-old PROMISE Student Ronnell is used to hitting the books at Albany High School and excels in the classroom. He’s also interested in a variety of possible careers including in business, as a sports agent, and even a chef. We hear from the New York State PROMISE team about how they are assisting Ronnell to make sure he’s on a path to success!…
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Over the past year, Stacy, who is a PROMISE student, has been gaining a lot of confidence and developing skills that she’ll need in employment. PROMISE has been playing a big part in that and is also assisting the family with making other connections to community organizations. We caught up with bilingual PROMISE Community Case Manager Adriel Gutie…
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Stacy and her 18-year-old son, Anthony, live on Staten Island. Anthony is enrolled in PROMISE and has been starting to explore some different job possibilities. PROMISE Case Manager La Tonja McMillan has been talking with the family about services that are available to them. La Tonja is also thinking outside the box to make sure Anthony gets all he…
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Last week we heard how PROMISE student Shamel is on the Dean’s list at his high school. Shamel now shares what his career aspirations are and how PROMISE is helping him pursue his goals. PROMISE Case Manager Learie Carrington also fills us in about services Shamel will be able to take advantage of.Door Peter Quinn and David Brewer
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Shamel is 18 years-old and attends Voyages South High School in Queens. He’s a go-getter and is settling in a career path thanks to New York State PROMISE. While Shamel is in a positive place now, more than a year ago this was not the case. He had a medical condition from a car accident. As a result he missed a lot of school and was not going to be…
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This is a special follow-up with Jaden, who is a PROMISE student in Coney Island. We first introduced you to Jaden in early 2015. During our initial podcast, Jaden's mother, Rita, had expressed why she had signed onto PROMISE and her hope that her son, Jaden, would develop skills, confidence, and abilities to secure employment when he is older. In …
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Aaliyah is a 9th grader and lives in Staten Island. She has a variety of interests, which PROMISE staff are helping her to explore. Case Manager La Tonja McMillan. Is excited about the new world that services are opening up for Aaliyah, including work experiences, building new skills like resume writing and interviewing, and in the near future the …
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It's amazing to see how far Schenectady High School student Mulinda has come since joining PROMISE. She has been working with service provider Deb Hollner, of Northeast Career Planning, and case manager Denise Hamedy. When Mulinda first started with PROMISE she was extremely anxious about even the htought of working and it didn't appear that pursui…
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Schenectady High School student, Matthew, is passionate about computer design and also interested in possibly studying abroad in Japan. He has been working with Brittany Rowlinson, who is a service provider with Wildwood Programs. Matthew’s first internship through PROMISE was such a success that it opened up into a part-time job!…
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New York State PROMISE has been working with Albany High School student, Jahi, to connect him with volunteer and work experiences that fit in with his goals. Jahi is a gifted athlete, evidenced by him making some great plays for the Albany Falcons high school football team, and he enjoys helping children. PROMISE staff are incorporating those inter…
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Albany High School student, Jewel, is a New York State PROMISE student. Her goal is to become a social worker and work in the child protective services unit. Through PROMISE she has been building-up her skill-sets with volunteer and work experiences. Now, she is working with children and pursuing her career goals – a win-win!…
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In part 2 of our two-part New York State PROMISE podcast, Dr. Karrie Shogren from the University of Kansas offers specific suggestions for advancing student-directed transition planning and self-determination. Listen, as she shares strategies for engaging families as essential partners in this process.…
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How do we support young people with disabilities to create, implement and reflect on their goals? In the first of our two-part New York State PROMISE Podcast, Dr. Karrie Shogren from the University of Kansas discusses how teaching self-determination with young people is really a shared experience involving the student, his or her family, school and…
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High school athletics are a great way for students to learn about teamwork, establish long-lasting friendships, and develop healthy lifestyles. On today’s PROMISE Podcast, we’ll hear from Xevier who is balancing his love of football with coursework and career pathways.
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Collaboration begins with communication. Listen as case managers Eric Frasch and Laura MacDowell describe a telephone-based translation service so that linguistically diverse families can request assistance – participating more fully in PROMISE!Door Peter Quinn and David Brewer
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It’s one thing to sign up for something, quite another to actively participate. On today’s PROMISE podcast we’ll here from a western New York family that includes a proud father who attends local PROMISE parent events. He shares his fresh perspectives with other families and is grateful for the mutual support.…
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When you’re in the early years of high school student, careers should be tried on, like clothing – going for the best fit. On today’s PROMISE Podcast, we’ll find out how Angela, along with her case manager Laura MacDowell, are exploring career options in childcare and the arts.Door Peter Quinn and David Brewer
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