The last thing Sherri Nolan wants for any of her special education students is for them to feel like the “other” – the outsider who doesn’t fit in at school, who is teased or in any way made to feel less “normal” than everybody else…

“I live on my own and I love it because I can do whatever I want, even though I do my own chores. I love doing my own chores at my own house…”

“I’m glad I met Aleah through Best Buddies because she hangs out with me. She makes the time for me even after graduating from Rio Rancho High School, going to college and working…”

My name is Mikoyan Salganek, but my friends call me Mik. I am a Buddy, a Jobs participant, and an Ambassador for Best Buddies in New Mexico.Before Best Buddies, I was lonely and I did not have many friends. My mom had to fight for me.

My name is Garrett Duke. During my freshman and sophomore years of high school, I was involved in the friendship program of Best Buddies.  I thought it was a good program.

When sophomore Brianna Mathis was asked by her friend and Chapter President Christopher to join Best Buddies she knew it was something in which she wanted to be involved. “I wanted to join Best Buddies from the minute I heard about it. My brother, Alex, has a physical disability and […]

School Friendship Participant Courtney Kaltenbach shares her story as a member of Best Buddies and friend of Joe

My name is Garrett Duke. During my freshman and sophomore years of high school, I was involved in the friendship program of Best Buddies. I thought it was a good program. After I graduated high school in 2014, I enrolled in APS Transition Services. I worked a lot on resumes, interviewing and I did some volunteer work at a community center, but I did not have much success finding a job.

The Spirit of Inclusion Awards program recognizes community members who make significant contributions to further the inclusive spirit that drives Best Buddies. The awards are based on the three pillars of the Best Buddies mission; one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The 28th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference was held at beautiful Indiana University in Bloomington, IN in July of this year. More than 2300 leaders from around the world came together to Bloomington, Indiana to learn, share, and be inspired.