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.
