As schools and workplaces across the country are closing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, your participation in Best Buddies is more important than ever before. We must stay connected to ensure that social distancing does not lead to social isolation. We can do this through virtual programs!

Things may seem really different in 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.

Join us every Wednesday at 7 PM!

Tune in live on the @BestBuddiesUniversity Instagram every Wednesday evening at 7 PM EDT (6 PM CDT/5 PM MDT/4 PM PDT) for the Maddie and Garett Show!

Connect with your peers to:

• Discuss upcoming programmatic deadlines.
• How to manage your chapter during this time.
• Share all the FUN ways you are staying connected while practicing social distancing!

Best practices to connect with your buddy, virtually (not in person). Social distancing does not mean social isolation!

First and foremost, be safe and stay healthy by practicing good hygiene and social distancing, and by following guidance from credible sources like the CDC, WHO, and local health officials! Here are some quick resources on how to do your part:

• 6 Tips to Stay Healthy
• Recognize Symptoms
• Know and Share the Facts
• Germ Awareness
• Wash Your Hands

During this unfamiliar – and confusing! – time, it’s more important than ever to feel connected and safe. But, given our country’s warning to practice social distance and self-isolation, it’s hard for many people to feel like they have outlets that make them feel comfortable. Best Buddies has been fighting social isolation for over 30 years, and we are here to provide guidance, connections, and friendship – even if it has to be done virtually for now!

As you look through this site for ways to engage with your friends, chapter, and community in a safe way, we want to remind you to take care of yourself! Your well being and good health is what makes you a good friend – and we all need a good friend during this time. Best Buddies wants you to know that there are lots of people that care about here, and we are here to help however we can!

Here are a few quick tips to follow on ways to care for yourself:

• Breathe! Inhale through your nose like you are smelling a flower, and exhale through your mouth like you are blowing out a candle.
• Color: Take time to be creative and let your mind wander.
• Journal: write down your feelings or just your daydreams.
• Take time for yourself. Take breaks, eat the food that makes you feel good, get rest when you can, and move your body. Pick up your old hobbies or try something new you’ve been curious about for a while. You need to prioritize time for yourself during this time!
• Connect with others. Join the Best Buddies’ calls and video chats, or reach out to a friend on social media or through texts. Make a connection that helps you feel seen and reminds you that you belong!
• Stay informed. Read articles and watch the news to understand what is going on, but take breaks from too much exposure. You want to have information on what is happening, but not wondering ‘what if’ day in and day out. Find a balance that doesn’t consume you.

As we transition to virtual means of communication, various internet service providers are offering free service, discounts and more for eligible families.

• Comcast: The company is offering Internet Essentials for 60 days of free internet service to low-income families, who live in the company’s service area and sign up as new customers. Self-installation kits would be shipped for free with no term contract or credit check. After 60 days, customers would be charged $9.95 per month plus tax unless service is cancelled. The offer is available through April 30.
• Charter/Spectrum: Charter Communications is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 or college students at any service level up to 100 Mbps. Installation fees are also waived. This is only for homes that do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription.
• Mediacom: Upgrading the Connect2Compete internet program and offering 60 days of free service for qualifying families who subscribe before May 15.
• Suddenlink: New household with K-12 or college students who do not currently have home internet access can get free internet for 60 days.

As a Best Buddies leader, we trust you to create a strong foundation for your chapter to meet the mission. This means serving as a good leader now and also finding new leaders to guide your chapter for years to come. With your passion for our mission and understanding of your chapter needs and goals, we trust that you have the ability and expertise to build a sustainable leadership team that is best for your school. Even though your school may not be in session this month, we still want you to serve as a leader, make a plan for your chapter, and build a team that will help your school meet our mission of inclusion and friendship. Here are some steps to make that happen:

Looking to build an activity calendar for your chapter? Here’s an example to follow: