Miami, FL, March 29, 2024 — For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across the country, going to a prom or formal is not a guarantee due to social stigmas and isolation.

That’s why Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development, inclusive living and family support for people with IDD, hosts Friendship Balls across the country.

Friendship Balls are yearly dances held by local Best Buddies branches across the country, sought to provide participants with IDD of all ages a memorable night of dancing, singing and friendship.

In Aspen, middle and high school participants partied the night away at a local theatre.

“This is my first ever, ever, ever prom in my entire life,” Kiah Eklund, a ball-attendee with Down syndrome, told Aspen Public Radio. “I’m really excited because you get to have food, mocktails, pictures, dancing and [you get to hang] out with your friends.”

In Miami, over 200 local participants attended the “Diving into Friendship: A Sea of Inclusion”-themed event.

“The Friendship Ball was a rousing success,” Erin Aymerich, a Best Buddies in Miami senior program manager, said. “The energy and support for the Best Buddies mission was palpable. These events truly drive home what it means to be inclusive.”

In Chicago, the Chesterton High School chapter helped host their annual “Kindness Dance” with a local middle school.

“It brings me happiness knowing that [students with IDD] have friends,” Juliana Gurrero, a ball-attendee, said to the Chicago Tribune. “A lot of them don’t have friends outside of the classroom.”

And in Ohio, over 300 participants from Miami University (Ohio) and other programs around the state gathered to celebrate inclusion. Best Buddies in Ohio also received a $10,000 donation to put toward expanding local programs.

“Be a friend to somebody, and you can change the world,” Catlin Skufca, the Best Buddies in Ohio state director, said. “Also, you can have a heck of a lot of fun while doing it!”

The success of these Friendship Balls, along with countless others across the country, shows both a need for inclusive, friendship-creating activities and the success of Best Buddies in providing them.

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.

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