ADDP’s Senator of the Year Award presented at Legislative Budget Forum by Anne McManus

Congratulations to Massachusetts State Senator Julian Cyr for being selected as the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers’ Senator of the Year!

Senator Cyr was recognized at the Association’s virtual Legislative Budget Forum last week, and the award was introduced by Latham Centers President & CEO Anne McManus.

“I am pleased to introduce Julian Cyr, State Senator representing Cape Cod and the Islands,” Anne began in the Zoom session. “Senator Cyr has served as our senator since 2016 and has a long and distinguished history of community service. Before becoming our Senator, Julian was chair of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth and worked on policy and regulatory affairs for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Julian graduated with a degree in public policy and community health from New York University and from the David Bohnett Leaders Fellowship at Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program.

However, it is important to note that Julian’s own website acknowledges that he learned many of the skills he uses daily from waiting tables and cooking behind the line for 14 seasons at his family’s restaurant in Truro. And if you know what the restaurant business is like on Cape Cod in the summer, he is clearly prepared for anything.

Julian has always been a partner to those of us supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Over the years, he has worked closely with the Cape Cod Disability Network, comprised of four Cape-based agencies (Cape Abilities, Community Connections, Latham Centers, and Life Inc.) Senator Cyr has also been committed to improving the lives of our staff, and he has been active in initiatives to create sustainable housing for our workforce and wage increases for Direct Support Professionals. I am really proud to introduce ADDP’s Senator of the Year, our friend, Julian Cyr.”

Senator Cyr said it is an honor to be receiving this “unexpected and deeply appreciated” award from ADDP. He said he appreciates the Cape Cod Disability Network for their close partnership, and recognized the many dedicated family members and providers who have been helping with telling the story to the community about what needs to change to support people with developmental disabilities, and the people providing essential services to them.

Latham Centers joins ADDP and our Cape Cod Disability Network in thanking and congratulating ADDP’s Senator of the Year, Julian Cyr!