The Best Buddies Program

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This organization serves people with Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and others.

Best Buddies is a great program because it helps people with disabilities form meaningful relationships with their peers and help them feel included. Not only is it great for the students with disabilities, but it very rewarding to the volunteers as well.

College sophomore Emma Whitner participated in this program while she was a high school student. During her junior year, she and another student volunteer were paired together with an entire middle school class so she had the opportunity to work with multiple students. During her senior year, she had the same system but was paired up with a high school class instead. This is one way the Best Buddies program works, but volunteers may get paired up one on one with someone as well.

Best Buddies International not only offers these friendship programs, but they also offer leadership development and integrated employment opportunities as well. The purpose of the leadership development program is to allow people with special needs to gain public speaking skills and confidence. The employment program seeks to find jobs for special needs people to suit their interests and talent.

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity in your life that is rewarding and fun, Best Buddies International would be a great program to look into. Not only will you be positively impacting a person's life, but will you will make lasting friendships in the process.