Steve has been an Advisory Board Member for Best Buddies in Connecticut since 2016 and this is his story.
Things may seem really different at this moment, but our mission remains the same. We can make a difference! This toolkit will help us continue spreading inclusion and friendship even when we are apart.
“I love Best Buddies because it has given me new friends and confidence to speak up…”
“I cannot imagine my life without Best Buddies…”
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.
The James Hillhouse Best Buddies program handed out “Blessing Bags” to the homeless in New Haven the Wednesday before their winter break.
Sean and Matt’s friendship has quickly become one of the most solid friendships in our chapter. Over the last few months they have become incredibly close and constantly remind others what Best Buddies is about. Matt and Sean talk and hang out all the time. They go to the movies […]
In 1995 Ron Pilkowicz volunteered for Special Olympics at the California World Games. He enjoyed the experience of working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so his cousin recommended he call Best Buddies. Bruce Epstein was living with his parents at the time and had been on the waiting […]
Members of the Cheshire High School Best Buddies chapter were invited to the “Pancakes and Politics” series with Senator Chris Murphy on Monday, March 17 at the Waverly Inn in Cheshire. Murphy recognized the student leaders and advisors for their success in promoting inclusion and respect for those with disabilities […]
Exemplary leadership can be portrayed in our numerous buddy directors throughout the state. However, one that really stepped up the plate this past year was Samuel. Samuel Smith has been the buddy director of the Ridgefield High School Best Buddies chapter for the last 3 years, and has shown a […]
Syd & Cate’s story is a little different than some of the other buddy pairs that you may hear about. The reason being that Syd & Cate did not become friends through Best Buddies; but, because of their lifelong friendship and their desire to enable other kids to have a […]
This year, Cheshire High Best Buddies is the largest high school chapter in our state, breaking participation records with 300 active members! With such a large crowd, the chapter has really focused on making a community impact outside of their school. In doing so, CHS Best Buddies teamed with BRAVE to support them in their mission of reaching to local veterans.
The closing ceremonies of the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) are highly anticipated for anyone who has attended or tuned into this conference in previous years. During BBLC, Buddy Ambassadors of all ages from all across the world use their training to perfect speeches that, for some, seem to have been in the works for years.
ELHS’s Buddy Director, James O’Toole, was elected Homecoming King in front of the entire student body at their school’s football game pep rally.
What would your life be like if you had no friends? … None at all … Think about it. Many, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find it extremely difficult to make and hold onto friends. They are often lonely, discouraged, disempowered and under-utilized. I am the host site […]
The Best Buddies Citizens program is off and running in Connecticut! After a brief hiatus, Best Buddies Connecticut re-opened our Citizens Program in September 2015! So, what is Best Buddies Citizens? At the base of the program, Citizens pairs an adult with an IDD in a one-to-one friendship with an adult without IDD from their local community.
The Best Buddies Citizens program is off and running in Connecticut! After a brief hiatus, Best Buddies Connecticut re-opened our Citizens Program in September 2015! So, what is Best Buddies Citizens? At the base of the program, Citizens pairs an adult with an IDD in a one-to-one friendship with an adult without IDD from their local community.
The closing ceremonies of the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) are highly anticipated for anyone who has attended or tuned into this conference in previous years. During BBLC, Buddy Ambassadors of all ages from all across the world use their training to perfect speeches that, for some, seem to have been in the works for years.
Watch as CTNews12 highlights the beauty of a true friendship between two Wilton best friends, only enhanced by the Best Buddies chapter at their high school.
The power of social media proved itself true as a hometown hashtag, #SendKatieToGaga, made one local student with Down Syndrome into an internet sensation.
On Saturday, May 9th, Best Buddies Connecticut staff and volunteers gathered at Wesleyan University to celebrate the end of a truly accomplishing year. In the summer of 2014, Best Buddies CT experienced a complete staff change, beginning the 2014-15 programmatic year in a whirlwind of excitement and new face.