The purpose of Best Buddies is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best Buddies envisions a world where people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are so successfully integrated into our schools, our workplaces, and our general communities that current efforts and services will be unnecessary. Until then, we will stress the importance of education about the emotional, functional, and natural needs and abilities of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Best Buddies Colleges matches people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with college students and creates one-to-one friendships between them. In the past, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities have had limited opportunities to have friends and are often isolated. By becoming a College Buddy, we, the volunteers, offer a Buddy the chance to explore the world in a new way.
Best Buddies is a life-changing experience both for volunteers and for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, and make lifelong friendships. Best Buddies volunteer participants develop a higher sense of self-worth and commitment to community service. Through the power of one-to-one friendships, Best Buddies volunteers are changing the world.
