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A Summer of Best Buddies

It’s been an amazing summer of Best Buddies so far! We launched a brand-new program, had incredible participation in our annual Leadership Conference, and made it easier than ever for you to get involved. Be sure to check out what we have going on below!

A New Program Launches in California

Best Buddies Pre-Employment Transition Services

Best Buddies Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) has made its way to California! Pre-ETS provides classroom-based employment training workshops to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities between the ages of 14-21. The program aims to help students identify and develop their career goals as they prepare to enter the workforce.

We are thrilled that this new program has officially launched with a 6-week workshop series in San Diego! We look forward to bringing the program to other locations across California over the course of the next year.

We Love Our Volunteers!

Meet Jamie: Volunteer & Advisory Board Member in Fresno

Jamie is a humble leader with a giant heart! He has made a huge impact through his involvement with the Best Buddies Integrated Employment program in Fresno. Since the beginning, Jamie has served as an advocate for Best Buddies programs and participants who intern at his workplace, Community Regional Medical Center.

He has helped the Best Buddies team secure classroom space, internship rotations, and presentations with local leadership. Jamie recently took his dedication to the mission to the next level when he joined the Best Buddies Fresno Advisory Board! Jamie genuinely cares for Best Buddies participants and creates meaningful relationships with them throughout their internships. Thank you, Jamie, for your dedication to inclusion.

Highlights from Virtual BBLC

Almost 4,000 participants worldwide spent three days learning and connecting at the 32nd annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) in July. BBLC provided participants the opportunity to learn from professional presenters, participate in small group discussions, and engage with experts and advocates for inclusion.

In California alone, we united 394 students and community leaders working to create and empower the future of the disability rights and inclusion movement in their communities. BBLC concluded with a spectacular Empower Inclusion Celebration, where our very own participant and Los Angeles Advisory Board member, Caley Versfelt, was honored with an incredible award!

In case you missed it, tune in here to watch, learn, and be inspired. 

Volunteer with Best Buddies

Love the mission and want to get more involved? We’ve made it easier than ever to learn about all the ways to be a part of Best Buddies in California! Join us for an orientation to learn about local volunteer opportunities and ways to make an impact. Refer a friend or family member who wants to learn more about Best Buddies!

Upcoming Volunteer Orientations

August 10th from 6:00-6:30 pm

August 23rd from 5:00-5:30 pm

September 8th from 5:30-6:00 pm

Email us to get signed up | Richard Nakai: RichardNakai@bestbuddies.org