The Cambridge Program for Individuals with Special Needs is open to Cambridge residents with intellectual disabilities who are 11 years old and older. The program offers recreational activities and life skills several times a week that are designed to promote self-esteem, encourage social interaction, and increase physical well-being, all with a focus on understanding our differences. In addition to activities, participants enjoy a variety of field trips and many compete in the Massachusetts Special Olympics.
The Cambridge Program runs during the school year, September - June.
Dates Announced for Annual Play!
Join us this December for unforgettable performances of If These Walls Could Talk: A Look into the Everyday Lives of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities! Learn more about the play.
There are two opportunities to enjoy the show:
Saturday, December 21
Russell Youth Center, 680 Huron Ave.
7 p.m.
Sunday, December 22
Russell Youth Center, 680 Huron Ave.
4:30 p.m.
Buy your tickets at the door! Cost per ticket is $15 (cash or check payable to Cambridge Recreation, Special Needs). If you would like to reserve tickets in advance, email David Tynes at dtynes@cambridgema.gov.
Cambridge Program Offerings
Saturday Program
Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Location: Russell Youth Center, 680 Huron Ave. Age: 11 years old and up- Activities include: swimming, fitness, arts and crafts, zumba, board games, cooking, drama, weightlifting, hygiene, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills, field trips, and a variety of sports including but not limited to bowling, pickleball, soccer, basketball, track and field, tennis, powerlifting and volleyball.
- Individuals participate in groups based on age and ability levels, including adult groups, a teen group, and a pre-teen/children’s group.
- Lunch can be provided for $5 or participants can bring their own.
- Transportation is provided free of charge. Each participant is picked up and dropped off at their home by the program on a yellow school bus. New participants may be put on a waitlist for transportation. Given the size of our program, we don't have a wheelchair van on weekends.
Evening Health and Fitness Program
Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Location: The Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) Field House (view map)
Age: 11 years old and up
- Activities include: weekly walks, aerobics classes, instruction and use of fitness machines, and light weight training.
- Clients learn about nutrition, healthy eating choices, and the benefits of an active lifestyle.
- All activities are supervised by an experienced staff, who have trained and worked with Special Olympic athletes. We can not provide 1:1 staffing; participants must be able to work out independently.
- Transportation is provided free of charge. Each participant is picked up and dropped off at their home by the program bus. We have a wheelchair van during the week.
Tuesday Night Vocation Class
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Location: Russell Youth Center, 680 Huron Ave.
Age: 18 years old and up
- Participants learn skills that are designed to help facilitate the process of entering the workforce.
- Classes include but are not limited to: projects, tasks, writing skills, listening skills, computer skills, counting, hygiene, mock interviews and resume writing.
- Classes are occasionally held on Zoom but are in-person for most sessions.
Annual Holiday Play
- Every year, Cambridge Program participants perform an original play, written and directed by program director David Tynes.
- All actors in the play are Cambridge Program participants.
- Readers, non-readers, verbal, and nonverbal participants are given roles written specifically for them and their ability level. Each play, like all of our activities, is a choice. Only those who want to participate do.
- The plays are designed to allow people of all ability levels to participate and flourish.
- Two performances are held for the Cambridge community each December.
Annual Art Show: A Celebration of Expression through Art
- Artists of all ability levels are free to display their unique talents, including drawings, paintings, jewelry, and crafts in the Cambridge Program's annual spring art show.
- A Celebration of Expression through Art is held in June.
Special Olympics
The Cambridge Program works closely with the Massachusetts Special Olympics and provides training for a variety of sports throughout the year.
- Every client is given the opportunity to participate in events, such as swimming, basketball, powerlifting, volleyball, tennis, and track and field.Cambridge Program staff support athlete training and host an annual banquet to celebrate every athlete’s participation and achievements.
- The Cambridge Program has 3 athletes in the Massachusetts Special Olympics Hall of Fame: the first-ever inductee, Denise Brown, the late Philip Ranieri and Ryan Harris.
FAQs
Can 1:1 staff be provided from an outside organization? Is The Cambridge Program staffed to provide care for individuals with severe medical needs?
1:1 staff cannot be provided from an outside organization.
The Cambridge Program does not have the staff required to provide care for individuals with severe medical needs at this time.
Is the Cambridge Program year-round?
No, it runs during the school year, September - June.
Is the Cambridge Program part of Cambridge Public Schools?
No, the Cambridge Program is offered by the City of Cambridge's Recreation Division, part of the Department of Human Service Programs.
Does everyone need to participate in the Special Olympics?
Many participants in the Cambridge Program choose to train for and compete in the Massachusetts Special Olympics. This is voluntary and not a requirement to participate in the program.
What is the best way to communicate with the Cambridge Program?
Email is the best way to communicate with the Cambridge Program. Please send all inquiries to David Tynes, Director, at dtynes@cambridgema.gov or Sara McSwiggan, Assistant Director, at smcswiggan@cambridgema.gov.