Contributed by ADAPT Marketing and Fund Development Intern, Aneti Tchkoidze

This summer, a number of talented students became ADAPT interns, walking through the halls of our day programs and residencies and sharing memorable moments with our people supported. While it was the first time many of our interns had ever heard of ADAPT, for one intern, the experience meant returning to an important part of where her story began.

Years before becoming a Storytelling Intern, Hana Music received support through one of ADAPT’s Community Habilitation programs. At just 10 years old she joined ADAPT and remained in the programfor six years. At that time, she was shy and soft-spoken, and her mother largely advocated for the support she needed. As Hana grew in the program, ADAPT staff encouraged her to take part in conversations about her own life, express what she wanted, and advocate for her own needs. She especially remembers Nicole Pagano, who made sure her voice was heard throughout the process.

“Through Nicoles support, I was able to find my own voice and advocate for my own needs,” she shared.

Growing up brought new experiences, new responsibilities, and eventually, new opportunities. Her time in Community Habilitation came to an end, but the confidence and independence she developed during those years stayed with her. Years later, an internship opportunity brought her back to ADAPT this time as a college student, and in a very different role. Instead of experiencing the organization as someone receiving support, she now had the opportunity to document the work happening behind the scenes. 

As a Storytelling Intern, Hana attended meetings, contributed her ideas, and became an integral part of the team. She also saw how staff continued to think about accessibility and ways to improve the experience of the people supported at ADAPT. Being back gave her a new appreciation for her own journey.

“I credit ADAPT for most of my growth in my childhood and teen years,” she shared. 

ADAPT didn’t just support her during one chapter of her life; it became part of her journey.

The organization supported her as a young person, and years later, when she was ready to gain professional experience, its doors were open once again.

As ADAPT celebrates 80 years of serving New Yorkers, stories like Hana’s remind us that the impact of support doesn’t necessarily end when a program does. The confidence people gain, the relationships they build, and the opportunities that follow can continue long after. For Hana, returning to ADAPT was not just the next step in her career. It was a chance to return to a place that once helped her find her voice and tell the stories of others.