Nestled in the heart of eastern Connecticut, Willimantic is a town known to many for brick buildings and clock towers, but to locals, it is a place of community, kindness, and service. Amongst the thriving small businesses and historic architecture lies Eastern CT State University. Home to the Warriors, ECSU has a Best Buddies Chapter that brings out the best in everyone.

Just as the town seamlessly combines new and old traditions, ECSU’s chapter has cultivated new and old friendships since 2001. Since its opening, the ESCU students who run the chapter have never lost sight of our mission: to make the world a better and more inclusive place for all. What makes ECSU so special is its bond to the local community. In Willimantic and on ECSU’s campus, Best Buddies isn’t just another club; it’s a part of life!

“You walk into college and don’t know anyone, and it can be intimidating. But then you see Best Buddies’, and our mission is friendship, so even if you pass by for one meeting, you can guarantee leaving have made at least one friend. It feels good to be a part of that” says Ally Daleb, the club’s Chapter President since 2022.

The bond that the students and Buddies from their host site, Horizons, Inc., have shines bright. At any ESCU meeting, you will be challenged to find someone sitting by themselves, as members body the spirit of acceptance and extend a welcoming hand to all.

“Our club is so inclusive; anyone can join, disability, no disability, whatever! People from other clubs on campus are always willing to collaborate with us because they see how much fun they have and how uplifting it is; everybody knows who we are!” Says Liv Melillo, the chapter’s Vice President, pictured on the left, next to Ally Daleb.

Their buddies cheer alongside ECU’s cheer team at basketball games, pairs visit the town’s movie theater on the weekends, and they hold a campus-wide karaoke competition. No matter where you are on campus or in town, the truly accepting and positive energy created by their chapter is evident.

Although the chapter supports nearly 20 one-to-one friendships year-round, the time of year they truly shine is at the Friendship Walk. For ECSU, friendly competition and teamwork bring out the best in their members. Like any good group of friends, members challenge and push each other to always do their best with friendly teasing and by sharing words of encouragement and motivation with each other at chapter meetings.

ESCU has been one of the top Fundraising Schools at our walk for 2 years and counting, but the walk is so much more than a fundraising challenge for its members, as attending the event is a hallmark chapter activity. The group carpools and invites all their buddies, members, and friends from other clubs to come and celebrate their hard work and experience the feeling of true inclusion firsthand.

After the walk, the group gathers on campus for an end of year picnic and celebration.

“This is our third year having a picnic after the walk. The walk is our last event of the school year, so it’s nice to have a final hurrah with everyone in Hartford and celebrate, but then we have some quality chill time at our picnic to really connect with each other afterward. Everyone looks forward to that as much as the walk” says Liv.

All in all, the legacy of ECSU’s Best Buddies chapter is engrained in their students and in their community. “Before Best Buddies, I was very shy. I gained a lot of confidence and leadership skills from Best Buddies, and I see that other people have gained those experiences and skills too, and I can’t wait for the future!” says Ally. Through building a solid team that has each other’s back through their involvement with the Friendship Walk, ECSU members have created a space for all that transcends differences wherever everyone belongs.