The Best Buddies Friendship Walk: Indianapolis took place on Sunday, April 23 at White River State Park, with more than 2000 people in attendance. It was a day filled with the energy of friendship! Participants were greeted by David Quilleon, Senior VP of Global Mission, State Development, and Operations for Best Buddies International

In preparation for April 23rd’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk and 5K competitive run, the BBFW committee hosted a kick-off at the training facility of the Indianapolis Colts. Over 75 people attended representing 8 Middle Schools, 15 High Schools, and 5 Colleges. The morning event helped teams create their own walk fundraising strategies through many activity stations.

Indiana’s Best Buddies Jobs program recently received a Three-Year Accreditation from CARF International which represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards for a provider of supported employment services.

We are honored to welcome the OrthoIndy Foundation as our presenting friendship walk sponsor. Over 2000 of our friends are expected to join together at Celebration Plaza at White River State Park to walk or run for inclusion. Most will choose to participate in the two-mile fitness walk along the river, but if you’re a runner, be sure to sign up for the timed 5K Run along the Canal.

The Best Buddies 15th Anniversary Gala: A Celebration of Friendship took place on Saturday, March 4 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. Over 300 guests attended, enjoying silent and live auctions, a raffle of a beautiful diamond ring sponsored by Master Jewelers, dinner, dancing, and a program emceed by Eric Halvorson.

Best Buddies Month is a time for Best Buddies participants to reflect on the importance of friendship, jobs, and the development of future leaders. Most importantly, it is a time to show the world the significance of these essentials in every individual’s life.

In February, several members of the Citizen’s Program met at the ArtMix studios at the Harrison Center for the Arts to participate in a candle decorating project. Led by Jobs Program supervisor and craft aficionado Kim Harvey, fifteen Citizen’s Program Participants donned protective gloves and nurtured their inner Impressionist as they inked over 100 gorgeous candles…

Best Buddies is partnering with the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities and the Close Up Foundation to send six buddy pairs to Washington, DC for an incredible experience. Close Up’s flagship High School Program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students to experience their government in action.

On November 3, 2016 Best Buddies held its annual fall ambassador training. This year we held our training at Duke Realty and Duke Employees volunteered as speech coaches. 10 Best Buddies Participants from different schools and programs learned what it meant to be a Best Buddies Ambassador and advocate for themselves and others.

With funding and support from the Indiana Governors Council for People with Disabilities, Best Buddies Indiana was able to partner with the Close Up Foundation to send six Buddy pairs to Washington D.C. for five night full-immersion experience into American history and politics.