Best Buddies International

The Best Buddies International friendship programs match volunteers with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in one-to-one friendship matches through five unique programs: Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, and e-Buddies. Best Buddies has grown from a single college program, started at Georgetown University in 1989, and has grown to 3,563 global chapters and is active in 45 countries. Best Buddies School Programs: Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, and Colleges Through our school-based programs, Best Buddies creates an inclusive community for students with IDD, helping them become socially integrated with their peers at every age. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities that enhance their educational experience.Elementary Schools: Launched in 2022, Best Buddies Elementary Schools builds connections and community between young students with and without IDD through inclusive activities and social-emotional learning tolls that promote one-to-one friendship, acceptance, and interaction at an early age. Students participate in both one-on-one activities in their buddy pairs and in group events to allow for optimal engagement and interaction for all members. Middle Schools: The Middle School program continues to thrive with 630 schools participating in Best Buddies with 12,561 members engaged worldwide. The Best Buddies Middle School program has maintained growth throughout the year and has positively benefitted from expansion efforts at the elementary school level which increase the pipeline of volunteers moving into middle school. Supported by chapter advisors, every school club is led by two students one with a disability and one without a disability and all members participate in events and group activities throughout the year, offering friendship pairs onsite support and the opportunity to socialize with other program participants. High Schools: Cultivating one-to-one friendships between students with and without IDD during a time of heightened social and emotional development, the High School program helps break through social barriers at an important and challenging time in a young person's life. Best Buddies High Schools continues as the largest school program with 1,613 chapters and 59,983 members worldwide. In this program, student officers play a more prominent role in the planning and execution of activities and management of members with guiding support from faculty advisors. Leaders gain valuable skills in collaborating with their peers and creating the opportunity for whole school engagement by hosting events that focus on the mission.Colleges: In 2023, Best Buddies' College program engaged 540 colleges and universities worldwide with 25,000 members actively involved. The College program model relies on partnerships with campus and community organizations who act as service providers for those with IDD. These partners provide chapters with an added layer of support and expertise as they support the involvement of members with IDD in the chapter operations and activities. As more colleges and universities offer continuing education options and programs that involve individuals with disabilities, partnerships with our college chapters are a natural fit helping to provide on-campus connections and a well-rounded college experience for all students.Best Buddies Citizens The Citizens program builds one-to-one friendships between adults with and without IDD in corporate and civic communities. This program helps people with IDD become part of mainstream society and creates an inclusiveand diverse community for all. Throughout 2023, the Citizens program maintained 9,500 memberships globally, with 450 community events held throughout the year. Online events have created another avenue of engagement, helping support the active participation of members who may have limited access to transportation to attend in-person events. Citizens helps to strengthen ties to the community by partnering with businesses and corporations, providing company employees the opportunity to form friendships with their peers with IDD.e-BuddiesThe e-Buddies program provides opportunities for participants with and without IDD to form virtual one-to-one friendships, create connections in the e-Buddies social platform, and attend social events online. e-Buddies members take active leadership roles to help manage and support this vibrant community's virtual events and development. They are instrumental in creating interactive discussion posts and leading peer groups. Members are engaged, connected, and excited about the opportunities that e-Buddies offers. e-Buddies by the numbers: Over 1,919 members involved on our community platform Nearly 1,789 e-Buddies matches Over 4,738 members involved in e-Buddies worldwideBy participating in e-Buddies, members develop technology literacy skills and become more confident communicating online. This allows our participants to become more well-versed in this ever-changing mode of communication and socialization, which in turn, will help them to be better prepared for what the future brings.

Best Buddies JobsBest Buddies Jobs matches skilled, qualified individuals with IDD with businesses seeking enthusiastic and dedicated employees. Through the Jobs program, Best Buddies develops partnerships with employers, assists with the hiring process and provides ongoing support to the employee and the employer.

Best Buddies LivingThe Best Buddies Living program fosters an integrated experience for people with and without IDD to become active, contributing citizens who live independently in a dynamic environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive. Best Buddies is currently operating Living residences in the following markets: Washington, D.C. (2); Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; and Atlanta, Georgia. In 2024 three new program locations will open in Gainesville, Florida; State College, Pennsylvania; and New Brunswick, New Jersey.Residents grow and change immensely as part of their connection to the mission of Best Buddies. Living and learning with their peers is a major component of this growth. By creating a mutually enriching housing model, we have made this journey even more meaningful by creating a truly one-of-a-kind inclusive residential experience for our Best Buddies participants.