Best Buddies International

Emma & Harrell

One-To-One Friendships

"I love our friendship because I know Harrell
will always be there." – Emma

One-To-One Friendships

Emma & Harrell

"I love our friendship because I know Harrell
will always be there." – Emma

One-To-One Friendships

Emma & Harrell

Jeet

Integrated Employment Program,
Jobs Participant

"I feel secure and safe in my work environment and,
my job gives me opportunities to be social and
continue advancing my professional skills." – Jeet

Integrated Employment Program,
Jobs Participant

Robin

"I feel secure and safe in my work environment and,
my job gives me opportunities to be social and continue advancing my professional skills." – Jeet

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Integrated Employment Program, Jobs Participant

"I feel secure and safe in my work environment and,
my job gives me opportunities to be social and
continue advancing my professional skills." –Jeet

Jeet

Leadership Development Program,
Global Ambassador

Kiontis

"We don’t need magic to change the world, just us.
Why wait to change? Why wait to be a leader?
I don’t care if the whole world is against or teasing you;
know what you want and go get it." – Kiontis

Leadership Development Program,
Global Ambassador

Kiontis

"We don’t need magic to change the world, just us.
Why wait to change? Why wait to be a leader? I don’t
care if the whole world is against or teasing you; know
what you want and go get it." – Kiontis

Leadership Development Program,
Global Ambassador

Kiontis

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Yvenie

Best Buddies Living Resident

"Best Buddies gave me a stable place to live and
helped me get back on my feet. This is the first time
I’ve ever had my own room.” –Yvenie

Best Buddies Living Resident

Yvenie

"Best Buddies gave me a stable place to live and
helped me get back on my feet. This is the first time
I’ve ever had my own room.” –Yvenie

Best Buddies Living Resident

Yvenie

Tata & Nikki

Eunie's Buddies Mentee and Mentor

"Eunie’s Buddies has had a profoundly positive
impact on me, allowing me to share, relate, and
connect with another mother going through the
same experience.” – Tata

Eunie's Buddies Mentee and Mentor

Tata & Nikki

"Eunie’s Buddies has had a profoundly positive
impact on me, allowing me to share, relate, and
connect with another mother going through the
same experience.” – Tata

Eunie's Buddies Mentee and Mentor

Tata & Nikki

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).

Best Buddies Challenge small slider banner

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).

A young girl with Down syndrome, wearing a yellow shirt and smiling while holding a chalkboard sign that says '#WithYou'. She is seated on a green chair. The banner includes the Best Buddies Family Support message: 'We See You. We Get You. We're With You' and highlights 'Eunie's BUDDIES'.

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

Two young men sitting on grass, smiling and enjoying each other's company. One is wearing a white T-shirt, while the other, in a blue polo, is playfully pointing at the camera. The background features greenery and a bright sky, suggesting an outdoor setting.

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

A male Best Buddies Jobs participant working in an law office

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

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Leadership Development

A female Buddy Ambassador standing at a podium delivering a speech

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

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Inclusive
Living

Best Buddies Living roommates doing laundry.

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.

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“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

“When a Best Buddies participant joins a local Jersey Mike’s team, they become part of our family and the community we serve. Hiring people with special abilities will truly change the culture of your company, as it did with Jersey Mike’s.”

Peter Cancro

CEO & Founder, Jersey Mike’s Subs

“Best Buddies is an organization that is incredibly close to my heart. Our buddies have the most loving, genuine spirits and always help me appreciate what really matters in life — our family and our friends.”

Olivia Culpo

Actresst & Best Buddies Global Ambassador

How You Can Help

pair of female best buddies participants smiling

Donate

Tom Brady and Katie Meade at a Best Buddies event

Attend An Event

Two young supporters in wearing best buddies merchandise

Shop

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 46 countries around the world

Find Local Programs