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BEST BUDDIES
Making a Difference |
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About Best
Buddies
Best Buddies is a non-profit
organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with
intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one
friendships and integrated employment.
Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a
vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original
chapter to more than 1,000 middle school, high school, and college
campuses across the country and internationally. Our programs today
reach all 50 of the United States, and Best Buddies has active
international programs in Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ireland,
Mexico, the Philippines and Sweden; with additional programs under
development in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, New Zealand,
Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
For the first time, we are actually serving 50,000 volunteers in one
year. We also have big plans for the future. By 2010 Best Buddies
will:
• Open
offices in all 50 states
• Establish programs in 50 countries
• Have 500,000 participants worldwide
Best
Buddies was born when Founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver recognized the
unjustified lack of opportunity for people with intellectual
disabilities to socialize with non-disabled peers, as well as the
power and impact of friendship in developing their self-esteem and
improving their outlook on society. A college student himself,
Shriver knew that his fellow colleagues had the energy and
commitment to positively transform their communities. His
inspiration to bring both groups together created Best Buddies.
Since its inception in 1989, Best Buddies has had an impact on the
lives of more than 300,000 volunteers and people with intellectual
disabilities in hundreds of communities around the world.
In
addition to the traditional campus-based volunteer activities, and
for those with limited personal time, Best Buddies helps people with
intellectual disabilities connect with others through technology
with its online friendship program, e-Buddies.
Even
though Best Buddies has grown tremendously in its short existence,
most of the country still lacks programs to help people with
intellectual disabilities become a part of mainstream society. Our
goal is to bring Best Buddies to every corner of the United States
and every corner of the world, making Best Buddies programs active
in every community and on every middle school, high school, and
college campus.
Paired with the 14 million college students in
the U.S. and the 77 million college students worldwide, we can make
a huge difference in the lives of the 7.5 million people in the US
and 250 million people worldwide who have intellectual disabilities.
Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute services that estimate a
value of $52 million - at no cost to the community. To learn more
about Best Buddies call 800-89-BUDDY or visit
www.bestbuddies.org
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Dr.
John R. Passarini