January 2019, MIAMI — This year, Best Buddies International is proud to celebrate 30 years of creating opportunities for inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). When we started at Georgetown University, back in 1989, we never imagined that our organization would impact more than 1.2 million people across the globe, spanning 53 countries and six continents. Fast forward 30 years to a world that is indeed more inclusive and diverse, although there is still so much more to be done.

To celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we are excited to launch the organization’s newest program, Best Buddies Living. Best Buddies is elevating our mission to meet the significant need for inclusion by establishing a residential living experience for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their peers. This new program represents our organization’s newest and fourth key mission pillar, Inclusive Living.

Best Buddies Living will provide individuals with and without IDD the opportunity to live together in a vibrant community that supports all residents in advancing their employment, financial literacy, continued education and life skills as they work to achieve their personal goals. Located in Los Angeles in partnership with UCLA, the first house will create innovative residents and pioneer ways to support individuals with disabilities and their peers. As the program expands, Best Buddies Living residences will continue to be near college campuses, cultivating mutually transformative relationships and growth opportunities for people of all abilities.

As we look ahead, we are excited to watch a new generation of leaders step up to the plate to guide our global movement to new levels. We will need you to help lead our movement forward as we are confident that the spirit of Best Buddies will continue to live on through each of you.

As we celebrate the impact Best Buddies has had on millions of lives, please know that we are grateful to each and every one of you who have supported this organization over the past 30 years. Without you, we would not have reached this momentous milestone.

Thank you for making this world a better place for people with special abilities.

For more information about Best Buddies Living, please visit bestbuddies.org/living or email Senior Director, Best Buddies Living, Cynthia Bowles, CynthiaBowles@bestbuddies.org.

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