The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities Hosted a Virtual Graduation Ceremony to Celebrate the Accomplishments of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2020-2021

June 2, 2021

On April 17, 2021, The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities hosted a virtual graduation ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2020-2021.

New Jersey Partners in Policymaking is a leadership development and advocacy education program for adults with developmental disabilities and family members available through The Boggs Center with funding from the New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities. This year's graduates included 11 self-advocates and 14 parents prepared to work toward meaningful change in our state.

Using online technology, Colleen McLaughlin, The Boggs Center's Associate Director and Partners Project Director, welcomed graduates and invited guests, and provided an introduction to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking program. Mercedes Witowsky, Executive Director of the NJ Council of Developmental Disabilities (NJCDD) and Paul Blaustein, NJCDD chair, brought remarks about the impact of the Partners program and the important role graduates play in advocacy. Gwen Orlowski, Executive Director of Disability Rights NJ congratulated the class through a speech that celebrated advocacy and collaboration. Deborah M. Spitalnik, PhD, Executive Director of The Boggs Center, delivered messages of inspiration, hope, and a charge to action as part of the event. Through panel presentations, this year's graduates shared what they learned in the program and their plans for advocacy after graduation. The event culminated with Jaime Zahid celebrating each graduate through a slide show that highlighted their success and advocacy action priority area.

To learn more about this year's graduates, their experiences over the past 8 months, and the impact of the Partners program, view the Graduation Panel Presentation Recording featuring the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2020-2021.

Congratulations to the New Jersey Partners in Policymaking Class of 2020-2021:

Maria Anderson
John Berardi
Charlotte Borgersen
Robert Chester
Maria Chirelli
Pamela Giacchi
Milagros Gonzales
Lisa Hernandez
Tammi Kaminski
Amy Kiger
Steffen Klenk
Gabriella Mariello
Johanne Mayer
Jorge Murphy
Stephen Odukoya
Nicole Parks
Erin Putman
Ana Maria Rivera
Iris Rivera
Tara Szymanek
Jill Tobin
Carla Vicari
Anjali Viswanath
Joanna Wuehr
Alexis Yeatts