Best Buddies International (original) (raw)

READ MORE Yasmin & Aiden Friendship Program Participants "I love to go out to lunch with my buddy, Yasmin, and play games in the cafeteria like Headbands, Spot It, and Jenga." – Aiden (featured right) Friendship Program Participants Yasmin & Aiden READ MORE "I love to go out to lunch with my buddy, Yasmin, and play games in the cafeteria like Headbands, Spot It, and Jenga." – Aiden (featured right) "I love to go out to lunch with my buddy, Yasmin, and play games in the cafeteria like Headbands, Spot It, and Jenga." – Aiden (featured right) Friendship Program Participants Yasmin & Aiden READ MORE READ MORE Robin Integrated Employment Program,
Jobs Participant "For people looking to expand their hiring to include people with IDD, the biggest piece of advice I could give you is: don't overthink it." – Michael Paley, COO, Klingman & Associates Integrated Employment Program,
Jobs Participant Robin READ MORE "For people looking to expand their hiring to include people with IDD, the biggest piece of advice I could give you is: don't overthink it." – Michael Paley, COO, Klingman & Associates LEARN MORE Integrated Employment Program, Jobs Participant "For people looking to expand their hiring to include people with IDD, the biggest piece of advice I could give you is: don't overthink it." – Michael Paley, COO, Klingman & Associates Robin READ MORE Leadership Development Program,
Global Ambassador Fran "Best Buddies has given me an amazing outlet. I hope to inspire the next generation." – Fran Leadership Development Program,
Global Ambassador Fran READ MORE "Best Buddies has given me an amazing outlet. I hope to inspire the next generation." – Fran "Best Buddies has given me an amazing outlet. I hope to inspire the next generation." – Fran Leadership Development Program,
Global Ambassador Fran LEARN MORE READ MORE Rubin Best Buddies Living Resident "Through the Best Buddies Living program, I've learned how to be on my own, make better decisions for my life, and how to become a better person.” – Rubin Best Buddies Living Resident Rubin "Through the Best Buddies Living program, I've learned how to be on my own, make better decisions for my life, and how to become a better person. ” – Rubin READ MORE READ MORE "Through the Best Buddies Living program, I've learned how to be on my own, make better decisions for my life, and how to become a better person.” – Rubin Best Buddies Living Resident Rubin READ MORE Caroline Cardenas Family Support Mentor "There is nothing quite like connecting with someone who knows what you’re going through.” – Caroline Cardenas (Mentor) Family Support Mentor Caroline Cardenas "There is nothing quite like connecting with someone who knows what you’re going through.” – Caroline Cardenas (Mentor) READ MORE "There is nothing quite like connecting with someone who knows what you’re going through.” – Caroline Cardenas (Mentor) Family Support Mentor Caroline Cardenas READ MORE

We are the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the
social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million
people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

We are the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical
and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (IDD).

We are the world’s largest organization dedicated to
ending the social, physical and economic isolation of
the 200 million people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities (IDD).

One-To-One Friendships

Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion.

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Integrated

Employment

Secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and support themselves.

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Leadership Development

Educates and empowers people with and without IDD, to be leaders, public speakers and advocates.

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Inclusive

Living

Providing a vibrant, integrated living opportunity for people with and without IDD.

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Family

Support

Family support and resources to raise a child with IDD.

“Picture your best friend. Now imagine your life without that person. For people with developmental disabilities, the laughter and excitement of a best friend is only a dream. Best Buddies is a lifeline to the joy of having and being a friend.”

Cindy Crawford

Supermodel & Best Buddies Global Ambassador

“All of us need to open our minds and consider people with IDD as qualified, dependable employable candidates. These individuals are dedicated, skilled workers whose involvement in the workforce is relevant for all society.”

Carlos Slim Helú

Chairman and CEO, Telmex

“Best Buddies gives people with special needs a chance to speak up, be heard and advocate for themselves and others within their community.”

Maria Shriver

Journalist & Best Buddies Global Ambassador

How You Can Help

A Global Volunteer Movement

Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 chapters worldwide, positively impacting the lives of over 1.3 million people with and without IDD. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries around the world

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