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  • What We Do
    • WHY WE MATTER
      • Mission
      • Impact
      • Vision and Goals
      • History
    • PROGRAMS
      • Friendship
      • Jobs
      • Leadership Development
    • MISSION IN ACTION
      • Featured Profiles
      • Videos
  • Take Action
    • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Shop
    • Attend an Event/Challenge/Walk
    • Volunteer
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  • Our Supporters
    • Corporations
    • Individuals
    • Foundations
    • Government
    • In-Kind
    • Top Fundraising Teams
    • Celebrity Ambassadors
  • About Us
    • OUR TEAM
      • Founder and Chairman
      • Board of Directors
      • Executive Team
      • Office & Staff Directory
      • Career Opportunities
    • FINANCIAL INFO
      • Annual Report
      • Where The Dollar Goes
      • IRS Form 990
DONATE
  • Best Buddies: Eric Matthes
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    Eric Matthes Slide 1 Tablet
    “Best Buddies shows that people with disabilities like me can live our lives to its full potential!” — Eric
    Friendship Pair
    Eric Matthes
    LEARN MORE
    LEARN MORE
  • Best Buddies: Billy O'Brien
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    Billy O'Brien mobile
    Learn More
    After being unemployed, Billy began working with the Best Buddies Jobs program in 2010 and was placed in a job as an Office Services Assistant at Eaton Vance soon after. Now, as a full-time employee, he receives benefits such as health insurance, a 401k and profit sharing.
    Jobs Participant
    Billy O'Brien
    Learn more
  • Best Buddies: Charles Calhoun
    Charles Calhoun tablet
    Charles Calhoun phone
    Learn More
    “As a Best Buddies Global Ambassador, I have spoken in front of [former] Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and traveled around the United States to speak at various national Best Buddies events!" — Charles
    Leadership Development – Ambassadors
    Charles Calhoun
    Learn more

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).

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One-to-One Friendships

Best Buddies: Friendship
Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion. LEARN MORE

Integrated Employment

Best Buddies: Jobs
Secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and support themselves. LEARN MORE

Leadership Development

Best Buddies: Leadership
Educates and empowers people with and without IDD, to be leaders, public speakers and advocates. LEARN MORE
  • “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
  • “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.”

    Carlos Slim Helú
    Chairman and CEO, Telmex
  • “Best Buddies gives people with special needs a chance to speak up, be heard and advocate for themselves and others within their community.”
     
     

    Maria Shriver
    Journalist & Best Buddies
    Global Ambassador

How You Can Help

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A Global Volunteer Movement

Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant international organization that has grown from one original chapter at Georgetown University to more than 2,300 chapters worldwide, positively impacting the lives of over 1.1 million people with and without IDD. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in over 50 countries around the world.

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Best Buddies International

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Miami, FL 33131

Toll Free: 305.374.2233

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