Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion.
Integrated
Employment
Secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and support themselves.
Leadership Development
Educates and empowers people with and without IDD, to be leaders, public speakers and advocates.
Inclusive
Living
Providing a vibrant, integrated living opportunity for people with and without IDD.
“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.”
“All of us need to open our minds and consider people with IDD as qualified, dependable employable candidates. These individuals are dedicated, skilled workers whose involvement in the workforce is relevant for all society.”
“Best Buddies gives people with special needs a chance to speak up, be heard and advocate for themselves and others within their community.”
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 56 countries and territories around the world
