Best Buddies Leadership Development programs represents one of our organization’s five key mission pillars. The programs educate and empower people with and without IDD to become leaders, public speakers and advocates. Best Buddies passionately believes that its program participants can lead the effort within their community and beyond to build a more inclusive world for people with IDD.
BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors
Offers people with and without IDD the opportunity to gain the public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to successfully advocate for themselves, their peers and Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government.
BESTBUDDIES® Promoters
Empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD and help open new Best Buddies chapters and programs by organizing special events that promote awareness to the disability rights movement.
BESTBUDDIES® Transitions
Offers a combination of classroom-based training, experiential learning, and corporate mentorship to help students with IDD explore post-secondary options, prepare for independent living, and identify career ambitions. Workshops and activities offer experiences that aid youth with IDD in their transition into adulthood.
How the Ambassadors Program Works
Advocacy Training
When a Best Buddies participant joins the Ambassador program, they enter into a series of group and private training in speech writing and public and conversational speaking to become advocates for themselves and the disability rights movement.Public Speaking
Once trained, Ambassadors work with Best Buddies staff to identify public speaking opportunities in their local community, where they can share their personal stories with Best Buddies chapters, businesses, legislators, interest groups and donors.Speech Coaches
Each Ambassador is paired with a speech coach, who helps them brainstorm, organize, write, edit and practice a speech and provides one-on-one attention as needed.Ongoing Development
Throughout their participation in the program, Ambassadors have access to a variety of ongoing advocacy trainings led by Best Buddies staff.Advancement
As Ambassadors gain advocacy experience in conversational and public speaking, they have the opportunity to grow into a State or Global Ambassador where they may be invited to speak nationally or internationally on behalf of Best Buddies.How the Promoters Program Works
Connect
Students attending a school without a special education program can join a Promoters chapter to develop connections with people with IDD, or can start one by contacting their local Best Buddies state office.Ongoing Support
Each Promoters chapter is led by a President from the student body and a Faculty Advisor, and is assigned a Best Buddies staff person who offers regular support and guidance.Advocate
Once formed, Promoters chapters host events, activities, fundraisers and assemblies where they advocate for people with IDD, educate the public about inclusion and promote the ideals of the Best Buddies mission.Events
Throughout the school year, Best Buddies encourages all Promoters chapters to host as many activities as possible (minimum of 4) on and off campus that are inclusive of people with IDD.How the Transitions Program Works
Eligibility
Individuals with disabilities beginning at age 14; an annual Best Buddies Consent Form, proof of disability and/or registration documentation may be required by local vocational rehabilitation agencies, where appropriate.Educator Collaboration
Best Buddies Transitions offers students an opportunity to practice and apply career readiness and independent living skills in enriching, community-based learning experiences with support from Best Buddies staff and supporting corporate partners.Implementation
Participants will meet with Best Buddies staff on a regularly scheduled basis to engage in one-to-one programming, small-group sessions, or classroom-style lessons on topics covered by the five Pre-ETS Components, as outlined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014:- Self-Advocacy/ Mentoring
- Job Exploration Counseling
- Workplace Readiness
- Work-Based Learning Opportunities
- Post-Secondary Counseling
Arizona Chapter Listing
Elementary Schools 
Middle Schools
High Schools 
Colleges 
Citizens programTo join a chapter, click a school name below
Elementary Schools
- Canyon Elementary School (Glendale, AZ)
API address [ 5490 W Paradise Ln, Glendale, AZ, 853062535-2535, US, null, null, 33.6341769, -112.1762747, null]
- Chaparral Elementary School (Gilbert, AZ)
API address [ 3380 E Frye Rd, Gilbert, AZ, 85295-2170, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Cochise Elementary School (Scottsdale, AZ)
API address [ 9451 N 84th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85258-1836, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Cortina Elementary School (Queen Creek, AZ)
API address [ 19680 S 188th St, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142-7067, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Finley Farms Elementary School (Gilbert, AZ)
API address [ 375 S Columbus Dr, Gilbert, AZ, 85296, US, null, null, 33.344631, -111.7424853, null]
- Gateway Pointe Elementary School (Gilbert, AZ)
API address [ 2069 S Delatorre Dr, Gilbert, AZ, 85295, US, null, null, 33.313182, -111.6956505, null]
- Power Ranch Elementary School (Gilbert, AZ)
API address [ 4351 S Ranch House Pkwy, Gilbert, AZ, 85297, US, null, null, 33.2722492, -111.6967215, null]
- Rover Elementary School (Tempe, AZ)
API address [ 1300 E Watson Dr, Tempe, AZ, 85283-3143, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Sousa Elementary School (Mesa, AZ)
API address [ 616 N Mountain Rd, Mesa, AZ, 85207, US, null, null, 33.428105, -111.5906843, null]
- Williams Elementary School (Williams, AZ)
API address [ 601 North 7th Street, Williams, AZ, 86046, US, null, null, 35.2536441, -112.1964772, null]
Middle Schools
- Ashton Ranch Middle School (Surprise, AZ)
API address [ 14898 W Acoma Dr, Surprise, AZ, 85379, US, null, null, 33.616574, -112.3802598, null]
- Canyon Junior High School (Glendale, AZ)
API address [ 5490 W Paradise Ln, Glendale, AZ, 853062535-2535, US, null, null, 33.6341769, -112.1762747, null]
- Connolly Middle School (Tempe, AZ)
API address [ 2002 E Concorda Dr, Tempe, AZ, 85282-2999, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Cooley Middle School (Gilbert, AZ)
API address [ 1100 S Recker Rd, Gilbert, AZ, 85296-1432, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Desert Harbor Middle School (Peoria, AZ)
API address [ 15585 N 91st Ave, Peoria, AZ, 85382-3543, US, null, null, 33.6257132, -112.2520936, null]
- Kingman Middle School (Kingman, AZ)
API address [ 1969 Detroit Ave, Kingman, AZ, 86401, US, null, null, 35.2150519, -114.0323081, null]
- Madison Meadows Middle School (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ 225 W Ocotillo Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85013-1236, US, null, null, 33.5332126, -112.0774669, null]
- Newell Barney College Prep (Queen Creek, AZ)
API address [ 24937 South Sossaman Road, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Sahuaro Ranch Elementary (Glendale, AZ)
API address [ 10401 N 63rd Ave, Glendale, AZ, 85302-1114, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Williams Middle School (Williams, AZ)
API address [ 601 North 7th Street, Williams, AZ, 86046, US, null, null, 35.2536441, -112.1964772, null]
High Schools
- Apache Junction High School (Apache Junction, AZ)
API address [ 2525 S Ironwood Dr, Apache Junction, AZ, 85120-7100, US, null, null, 33.3917254, -111.5610367, null]
- Apollo High School (Glendale, AZ)
API address [ 8045 N 47th Ave, Glendale, AZ, 85302-6402, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Arizona College Prep (Chandler, AZ)
API address [ 1150 W Erie St, Chandler, AZ, 85224-4316, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- BASIS Chandler (Chandler, AZ)
API address [ 4825 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ, 85248-4598, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Betty H. Fairfax High School (Laveen, AZ)
API address [ 8225 S 59th Ave, Laveen, AZ, 85339-2886, US, null, null, 33.37066860000001, -112.1814908, null]
- Brophy College Preparatory (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ 4701 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85012-1723, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Camelback High School (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ 4612 North 28th Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85016-4931, US, null, null, 33.50388571317488, -112.02239594050795, null]
- Campo Verde High School (Gilbert, AZ)
API address [ 3870 S Quartz St, Gilbert, AZ, 85297-7334, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Casa Grande Union High School (Casa Grande, AZ)
API address [ 2730 N Trekell Rd, Casa Grande, AZ, 85122, US, null, null, 32.935892, -111.7370588, null]
- Central High School (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ 4525 N Central Ave, Phoenix, AZ, 85012-1816, US, null, null, 33.502396, -112.07376, null]
- Chaparral High School (Paradise Valley, AZ)
API address [ 6935 E Gold Dust Ave, Paradise Valley, AZ, 85253-1447, US, null, null, 33.5782681, -111.9327366, null]
- Cienega High School (Vail, AZ)
API address [ 12755 E Mary Ann Cleveland Way, Vail, AZ, 85641, US, null, null, 32.0546855, -110.7205991, null]
- Copper Canyon High School (Glendale, AZ)
API address [ 9126 W Camelback Rd, Glendale, AZ, 85305-3116, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Corona del Sol High School (Tempe, AZ)
API address [ 1001 E Knox Rd, Tempe, AZ, 85284-3204, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Crismon High School (Queen Creek, AZ)
API address [ 21942 E Riggs Rd, Queen Creek, AZ, 85142, US, null, null, 33.2204009, -111.6104859, null]
- Deer Valley High School (Glendale, AZ)
API address [ 18424 N 51st Ave, Glendale, AZ, 85308-1443, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Dysart High School (El Mirage, AZ)
API address [ 11425 North Dysart Road, El Mirage, AZ, 85335-9233, US, null, null, 33.589575711446614, -112.34040995703099, null]
- Heritage Academy (Mesa, AZ)
API address [ 19705 E Germann Rd, Mesa, AZ, 85212, US, null, null, 33.277333, -111.6582855, null]
- Higley High School (Gilbert, AZ)
API address [ 4068 E Pecos Rd, Gilbert, AZ, 85295-2529, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Ironwood High School (Glendale, AZ)
API address [ 6051 West Sweetwater Avenue, Glendale, AZ, 85304, US, null, null, 33.6013909, -112.1884767, null]
- La Joya Community High School (Avondale, AZ)
API address [ 11650 W Whyman Ave, Avondale, AZ, 85323-8461, US, null, null, 33.4255049, -112.3087228, null]
- Marcos de Niza High School (Tempe, AZ)
API address [ 6000 S Lakeshore Dr, Tempe, AZ, 85283-3049, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Metro Tech High School (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ 1900 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85015-6051, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mountain Ridge High School (Glendale, AZ)
API address [ 22800 N 67th Ave, Glendale, AZ, 85310-4235, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- North Canyon High School (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ 1700 E Union Hills Dr, Phoenix, AZ, 85024-3033, US, null, null, 33.6564966, -112.0447493, null]
- Shadow Ridge High School (Waddell, AZ)
API address [ 10909 N Perryville Rd, Waddell, AZ, 85355-9713, US, null, null, 33.5846863, -112.4590878, null]
- Sunnyside High School (Tucson, AZ)
API address [ 1725 E Bilby Rd, Tucson, AZ, 85706-4430, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Sunrise Mountain High School (Peoria, AZ)
API address [ 21200 N 83rd Ave, Peoria, AZ, 85382-2436, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Tempe High School (Tempe, AZ)
API address [ 1730 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ, 852816600-6600, US, null, null, 33.409159, -111.9407912, null]
- Thunderbird High School (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ 1750 W Thunderbird Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85023, US, null, null, 33.6128403, -112.0959818, null]
- Tolleson Union High School (Tolleson, AZ)
API address [ 9419 W Van Buren St, Tolleson, AZ, 85353-2804, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- West Point High School (Avondale, AZ)
API address [ 11620 W Encanto Blvd, Avondale, AZ, 85392-5117, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Westview High School (Avondale, AZ)
API address [ 10850 West Garden Lakes Parkway, Avondale, AZ, 85392-3718, US, null, null, 33.489381626010584, -112.29320550909881, null]
- Williams Field High School (Gilbert, AZ)
API address [ 2076 S Higley Rd, Gilbert, AZ, 85295-4793, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Willow Canyon High School (Surprise, AZ)
API address [ 17901 W Lundberg St, Surprise, AZ, 85388-0281, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Colleges
- Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ)
API address [ Student Services Bldg, Tempe, AZ, 85287-4106, US, null, null, 33.4169752, -111.9362888, null]
- Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ)
API address [ 601 Knoles Dr, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001-0001, US, null, null, 35.1934458, -111.6564193, null]
- University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ)
API address [ 1010 N Highland Ave, Tucson, AZ, 85719-0085, US, null, null, 32.234101, -110.9506404, null]
Citizens
- Arizona Citizens (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ null, Phoenix, AZ, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Arizona State Farm Citizens (Phoenix, AZ)
API address [ null, Phoenix, AZ, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
Is your school not listed? Click here for info on how to start a chapter.
