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Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs

Best Buddies Leadership Development programs represents one of our organization’s five key mission pillars.  The programs educate and empower people with and without IDD to become leaders, public speakers and advocates. Best Buddies passionately believes that its program participants can lead the effort within their community and beyond to build a more inclusive world for people with IDD.

Get Involved Today

BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors

Offers people with and without IDD the opportunity to gain the public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to successfully advocate for themselves, their peers and Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government.

Attend a Training
Host a Training
best buddies ambassador at podium

BESTBUDDIES® Promoters

Empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD and help open new Best Buddies chapters and programs by organizing special events that promote awareness to the disability rights movement.

Join a chapter
Best Buddies promoters participants on a playground

BESTBUDDIES® Transitions

Offers a combination of classroom-based training, experiential learning, and corporate mentorship to help students with IDD explore post-secondary options, prepare for independent living, and identify career ambitions. Workshops and activities offer experiences that aid youth with IDD in their transition into adulthood.

Join the program
Best Buddies Transitions program member at work on a farm

How the Ambassadors Program Works

Advocacy Training

When a Best Buddies participant joins the Ambassador program, they enter into a series of group and private training in speech writing and public and conversational speaking to become advocates for themselves and the disability rights movement.

Public Speaking

Once trained, Ambassadors work with Best Buddies staff to identify public speaking opportunities in their local community, where they can share their personal stories with Best Buddies chapters, businesses, legislators, interest groups and donors.

Speech Coaches

Each Ambassador is paired with a speech coach, who helps them brainstorm, organize, write, edit and practice a speech and provides one-on-one attention as needed.

Ongoing Development

Throughout their participation in the program, Ambassadors have access to a variety of ongoing advocacy trainings led by Best Buddies staff.

Advancement

As Ambassadors gain advocacy experience in conversational and public speaking, they have the opportunity to grow into a State or Global Ambassador where they may be invited to speak nationally or internationally on behalf of Best Buddies.

How the Promoters Program Works

Connect

Students attending a school without a special education program can join a Promoters chapter to develop connections with people with IDD, or can start one by contacting their local Best Buddies state office.

Ongoing Support

Each Promoters chapter is led by a President from the student body and a Faculty Advisor, and is assigned a Best Buddies staff person who offers regular support and guidance.

Advocate

Once formed, Promoters chapters host events, activities, fundraisers and assemblies where they advocate for people with IDD, educate the public about inclusion and promote the ideals of the Best Buddies mission.

Events

Throughout the school year, Best Buddies encourages all Promoters chapters to host as many activities as possible (minimum of 4) on and off campus that are inclusive of people with IDD.

How the Transitions Program Works

Eligibility

Individuals with disabilities beginning at age 14; an annual Best Buddies Consent Form, proof of disability and/or registration documentation may be required by local vocational rehabilitation agencies, where appropriate.

Educator Collaboration

Best Buddies Transitions offers students an opportunity to practice and apply career readiness and independent living skills in enriching, community-based learning experiences with support from Best Buddies staff and supporting corporate partners.

Implementation

Participants will meet with Best Buddies staff on a regularly scheduled basis to engage in one-to-one programming, small-group sessions, or classroom-style lessons on topics covered by the five Pre-ETS Components, as outlined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014:
  • Self-Advocacy/ Mentoring
  • Job Exploration Counseling
  • Workplace Readiness
  • Work-Based Learning Opportunities
  • Post-Secondary Counseling

Georgia Chapter Listing

Filter by
radius-pinElementary Schools middle-schools-pinMiddle Schoolshigh-schools-pinHigh Schools colleges-pinColleges radius-pin  Citizens program
 
To join a chapter, click a school name below
Elementary Schools
  • Blandford Elementary School (Rincon, GA)

    API address [ 4650 McCall Rd, Rincon, GA, 31326, US, null, null, 32.2601594, -81.24343979999999, null]

  • Ebenezer Elementary School (Rincon, GA)

    API address [ 1198 Ebenezer Rd, Rincon, GA, 31326, US, null, null, 32.3477507, -81.2251191, null]

  • Guyton Elementary School (Guyton, GA)

    API address [ 719 Central Blvd, Guyton, GA, 31312, US, null, null, 32.3395478, -81.39896279999999, null]

  • Heards Ferry Elementary School (Sandy Springs, GA)

    API address [ 6151 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Sandy Springs, GA, 30339, US, null, null, 33.9097007, -84.4265752, null]

  • Heritage Elementary (Macon, GA)

    API address [ 6050 Thomaston Rd, Macon, GA, 31220, US, null, null, 32.8428125, -83.7582132, null]

  • Marlow Elementary (Guyton, GA)

    API address [ 5160 Georgia 17, Guyton, GA, 31312, US, null, null, 32.1981901, -81.3624557, null]

  • Metter Elementary School (Metter, GA)

    API address [ 33661 Highway 129, Metter, GA, 30439, US, null, null, 32.361344, -82.051563, null]

  • North Tattnall Elementary School (Collins, GA)

    API address [ 26268 GA-23, Collins, GA, 30421, US, null, null, 32.135942966996, -82.120421308897, null]

  • Rincon Elementary School (Rincon, GA)

    API address [ 1703 Fort Howard Rd, Rincon, GA, 31326, US, null, null, 32.2963151, -81.2045448, null]

  • Rosa Taylor Elementary (Macon, GA)

    API address [ 2976 Crestline Dr, Macon, GA, 31204-1237, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Sand Hill Elementary School (Guyton, GA)

    API address [ 199 Stagecoach Ave, Guyton, GA, 31312, US, null, null, 32.221614998868, -81.399524994846, null]

  • Springfield Elementary School (Springfield, GA)

    API address [ 300 Old Dixie Hwy S, Springfield, GA, 31329, US, null, null, 32.3822534, -81.3197417, null]

  • Talley Street Upper Elementary School (Decatur, GA)

    API address [ 2617 Talley Street, Decatur, GA, 30030, US, null, null, 33.7698097, -84.2835913, null]

Middle Schools
  • Beacon Hill Middle School (Decatur, GA)

    API address [ 220 W College Ave, Decatur, GA, 30030, US, null, null, 33.7670969, -84.2996697, null]

  • Campbell Middle School (Smyrna, GA)

    API address [ 3295 Atlanta Rd SE, Smyrna, GA, 30080-8258, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Ebenezer Middle School (Rincon, GA)

    API address [ 1100 Ebenezer Rd, Rincon, GA, 31326, US, null, null, 32.3467009, -81.22770129999999, null]

  • Howard Middle School (Macon, GA)

    API address [ 6600 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA, 31210, US, null, null, 32.9048802, -83.77272479999999, null]

  • King Middle School (Atlanta, GA)

    API address [ 545 Hill St SE, Atlanta, GA, 30312, US, null, null, 33.7386136, -84.3798521, null]

  • Monroe County Middle School (Forsyth, GA)

    API address [ 66 Thornton Rd, Forsyth, GA, 31029-8734, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Piney Grove Middle School (Cumming, GA)

    API address [ 8135 Majors Rd, Cumming, GA, 30041, US, null, null, 34.1448038, -84.1790376, null]

  • South Effingham Middle School (Guyton, GA)

    API address [ 1200 Noel C Conaway Road, Guyton, GA, 31312, US, null, null, 32.188584, -81.3365895, null]

  • South Tattnall Middle School (Glennville, GA)

    API address [ 721 East Barnard Street, Glennville, GA, 30427, US, null, null, 31.9317513, -81.91976749999999, null]

High Schools
  • Campbell High School (Smyrna, GA)

    API address [ 925 Powder Springs Street, Smyrna, GA, 30080, US, null, null, 33.8870208, -84.5257414, null]

  • Cedar Grove High School (Ellenwood, GA)

    API address [ 2360 River Rd, Ellenwood, GA, 30294, US, null, null, 33.676461, -84.29444769999999, null]

  • Chamblee Charter High School (Chamblee, GA)

    API address [ 3688 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA, 30341-2143, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Dade County High School (Trenton, GA)

    API address [ 300 Tradition Ln, Trenton, GA, 30752, US, null, null, 34.8615981, -85.5089881, null]

  • Decatur High School (Decatur, GA)

    API address [ 310 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA, 30030, US, null, null, 33.7708943, -84.2971204, null]

  • Denmark High School (Alpharetta, GA)

    API address [ 645 Mullinax Rd, Alpharetta, GA, 30004-5618, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Effingham County High School (Springfield, GA)

    API address [ 1589 GA-119, Springfield, GA, 31329, US, null, null, 32.3454856, -81.3504111, null]

  • Fannin County High School (Blue Ridge, GA)

    API address [ 360 Rebel Cir, Blue Ridge, GA, 30513, US, null, null, 34.852638, -84.3287313, null]

  • Islands High School (Savannah, GA)

    API address [ 170 Whitemarsh Island Road, Savannah, GA, 31410, US, null, null, 32.0369809, -81.0072303, null]

  • Johns Creek High School (Johns Creek, GA)

    API address [ 5575 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA, 30022, US, null, null, 34.022909, -84.1950758, null]

  • Marietta High School (Marietta, GA)

    API address [ 1171 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta, GA, 30064, US, null, null, 33.9484012, -84.5860392, null]

  • Mary Persons High School (Forsyth, GA)

    API address [ 310 Montpelier Ave, Forsyth, GA, 31029-1844, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Norcross High School (Norcross, GA)

    API address [ 5300 Spalding Dr, Norcross, GA, 30092, US, null, null, 33.966955, -84.21239940000001, null]

  • North Atlanta High School (Atlanta, GA)

    API address [ 4111 Northside Pkwy NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327-3015, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Riverwood International Charter School (Sandy Springs, GA)

    API address [ 5900 Raider Dr, Sandy Springs, GA, 30328-4706, US, null, null, 33.9169135, -84.41718449999999, null]

  • Tattnall County High School (Reidsville, GA)

    API address [ 1 Battle Creek Warrior Blvd, Reidsville, GA, 30453, US, null, null, 32.03944, -82.0496417, null]

  • The Paideia School (Atlanta, GA)

    API address [ 1509 S Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, US, null, null, 33.7729187, -84.3377445, null]

  • Winder-Barrow High School (Winder, GA)

    API address [ 272 N 5th Ave, Winder, GA, 30680, US, null, null, 34.0041142, -83.7286508, null]

Colleges
  • Emory University (Atlanta, GA)

    API address [ Boisfeuillet Jones Center, Atlanta, GA, 30307, US, null, null, 33.7897806, -84.3261143, null]

  • Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville, GA)

    API address [ 231 W Hancock St, Milledgeville, GA, 31061-3375, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Georgia Southern University (Statesboro, GA)

    API address [ 1332 Southern Dr, Statesboro, GA, 30460-1000, US, null, null, 32.4261394, -81.7840801, null]

  • Middle Georgia State University (Macon, GA)

    API address [ 100 University Parkway, Macon, GA, 31206, US, null, null, 32.8113041, -83.7345385, null]

  • University of Georgia (Athens, GA)

    API address [ Terrell Hall, Athens, GA, 30602-0001, US, null, null, 33.9567755, -83.3741526, null]

  • University of North Georgia- Dahlonega (Dahlonega, GA)

    API address [ Hoag Student Center, Dahlonega, GA, 30597, US, null, null, 34.5302725, -83.98580249999999, null]

Citizens
  • Atlanta Metro Citizens (Atlanta, GA)

    API address [ null, Atlanta, GA, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]

Is your school not listed? Click here for info on how to start a chapter.

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