San Francisco, CA, Jan. 31, 2024 — Aaron Silverman, a participant in the Best Buddies Jobs program in California, the integrated employment program of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), was recognized by the Golden State Warriors as the Impact Warrior of the Night on January 25.

The Impact Warrior Program highlights a community member who has gone above and beyond in making the San Francisco community a better place. Aaron was joined by a group of his Best Buddies peers at the game.

“Aaron has used his voice to spread the message of inclusion for individuals with IDD throughout the Bay Area,” Chanel Brisbane, the director of jobs for Best Buddies in California, said. “Aaron continues to use his platform as a Best Buddies Jobs participant and Best Buddies in California Ambassador to advocate for his peers.”

Aaron joined Best Buddies in California in 2021, and, through the Jobs program, he obtained a full-time position as an office and mailroom assistant at Accenture, one of Best Buddies’ national partners. Aaron’s job responsibilities include collecting and distributing mail, performing inventory checks, restocking office supplies and supporting internal event logistics.

“I’ve really grown here as an employee,” Aaron said about his time with Accenture. “I want to work here as long as I can. I feel a really good support system and I feel happy being here and contributing to meaningful change for people with disabilities.”

Nine other Best Buddies participants accompanied Aaron to the game, where they were invited to a pregame shootaround and met former NBA player Larry Smith, who gave them his signature “Larry’s Local 13” hard hats.

To learn more about the Best Buddies Jobs program, click here.

About Best Buddies
Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ 12 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living and Eunie’s Buddies— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

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Best Buddies International
Nicole Maddox
Vice President, Communications
NicoleMaddox@Bestbuddies.org