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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Indiana Chapter Listing
Elementary Schools 
Middle Schools
High Schools 
Colleges 
Citizens programTo join a chapter, click a school name below
Elementary Schools
- Beiriger Elementary School (Griffith, IN)
API address [ 601 N Lillian St, Griffith, IN, 46319-3806, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Boone Grove Elementary School (Valparaiso, IN)
API address [ 325 W 550 S, Valparaiso, IN, 46385, US, null, null, 41.3555398, -87.1284182, null]
- Douglas MacArthur Elementary School (Cedar Lake, IN)
API address [ 12900 Fairbanks St, Cedar Lake, IN, 46303-9446, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Eisenhower Elementary School (Crown Point, IN)
API address [ 1450 S Main St, Crown Point, IN, 46307-8443, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Georgetown Elementary School (Georgetown, IN)
API address [ 8800 High St, Georgetown, IN, 47122, US, null, null, 38.2958479, -85.97148159999999, null]
- Hickory Elementary School (Avon, IN)
API address [ 907 Avon Ave, Avon, IN, 46123, US, null, null, 39.749501, -86.39812889999999, null]
- Jerry Ross Elementary School (Crown Point, IN)
API address [ 11319 Randolph St, Crown Point, IN, 46307-8612, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Joan Martin Elementary School (Hobart, IN)
API address [ 301 E 10th St, Hobart, IN, 46342, US, null, null, 41.5209919, -87.2570133, null]
- Lake Street Elementary (Crown Point, IN)
API address [ 475 Lake St, Crown Point, IN, 46307, US, null, null, 41.4099425, -87.37587789999999, null]
- Mount Tabor Elementary School (New Albany, IN)
API address [ 800 Mt Tabor Rd, New Albany, IN, 47150, US, null, null, 38.3301339, -85.8174701, null]
- New Britton Elementary School (Fishers, IN)
API address [ 8660 East 131st Street, Fishers, IN, 46038, US, null, null, 39.9797435, -86.01592889999999, null]
- Park Elementary School (Fairmount, IN)
API address [ 500 S Sycamore St, Fairmount, IN, 46928, US, null, null, 40.4113623, -85.64709979999999, null]
- Pendleton Elementary School (Pendleton, IN)
API address [ 327 S East St, Pendleton, IN, 46064-1213, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Sand Creek Elementary School (Fishers, IN)
API address [ 11420 E 131st St, Fishers, IN, 46038-6618, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Solon Robinson Elementary School (Crown Point, IN)
API address [ 601 Pettibone St, Crown Point, IN, 46307, US, null, null, 41.4065675, -87.3581954, null]
- South Haven Elementary School (Valparaiso, IN)
API address [ 395 Midway Drive, Valparaiso, IN, 46385, US, null, null, 41.5436904, -87.14201, null]
- Southridge Elementary School (Highland, IN)
API address [ 9221 Johnston St, Highland, IN, 46322, US, null, null, 41.5460062, -87.44344939999999, null]
- Thorpe Creek Elementary (Fishers, IN)
API address [ 14642 126th St, Fishers, IN, 46037-6966, US, null, null, 39.9739776, -85.9021546, null]
- Timothy Ball Elementary School (Crown Point, IN)
API address [ 720 W Summit St, Crown Point, IN, 46307, US, null, null, 41.428264002981, -87.375211756385, null]
- Wadsworth Elementary School (Griffith, IN)
API address [ 600 N Jay Ave, Griffith, IN, 46319, US, null, null, 41.5320069, -87.4198997, null]
- Washington Woods Elementary School (Westfield, IN)
API address [ 17950 Grassy Branch Road, Westfield, IN, 46074, US, null, null, 40.0490093, -86.1113919, null]
- Winfield Elementary School (Crown Point, IN)
API address [ 13128 Montgomery St, Crown Point, IN, 46307-9258, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Middle Schools
- Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 1150 N Girls School Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46214, US, null, null, 39.8337326, -86.2807452, null]
- Boone Grove Middle School (Valparaiso, IN)
API address [ 325 W 550 S, Valparaiso, IN, 46385, US, null, null, 41.3555398, -87.1284182, null]
- Brownsburg West Middle School (Brownsburg, IN)
API address [ 1555 S Odell St, Brownsburg, IN, 46112-8041, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Carmel Middle School (Carmel, IN)
API address [ 300 S Guilford Rd, Carmel, IN, 46032-1531, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Center Grove North Middle School (Greenwood, IN)
API address [ 202 N Morgantown Rd, Greenwood, IN, 46142-7655, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Clark-Pleasant Middle School (Greenwood, IN)
API address [ 1354 East Worthsville Road, Greenwood, IN, 46143-9712, US, null, null, 39.588933, -86.06965199999999, null]
- Colonel John Wheeler Middle School (Crown Point, IN)
API address [ 401 W Joliet St, Crown Point, IN, 463073808-3808, US, null, null, 41.4167479, -87.3691314, null]
- Delta Middle School (Muncie, IN)
API address [ 9800 N Co Rd 200 E, Muncie, IN, 47303-9781, US, null, null, 40.280347, -85.346998, null]
- Eastwood Middle School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 4401 E 62nd St, Indianapolis, IN, 46220, US, null, null, 39.8676307, -86.0923237, null]
- Franklin Community Middle School (Franklin, IN)
API address [ 625 Grizzly Cub Dr, Franklin, IN, 46131, US, null, null, 39.4867514, -86.0623138, null]
- Hal E. Clark Middle School (Saint John, IN)
API address [ 8915 W 93rd Ave, Saint John, IN, 46373, US, null, null, 41.4487478, -87.4435209, null]
- Hasten Hebrew Academy (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 6602 Hoover Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46260, US, null, null, 39.8765052, -86.1759706, null]
- Highland Hills Middle School (Georgetown, IN)
API address [ 3492 Edwardsville Galena Rd, Georgetown, IN, 47122, US, null, null, 38.3245556, -85.9289374, null]
- Indiana Connections Academy (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 6640 Intech Blvd #250 Ste 250, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, US, null, null, 39.8757865, -86.2752505, null]
- Kahler Middle School (Dyer, IN)
API address [ 600 Joliet St, Dyer, IN, 46311-1717, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Noblesville West Middle School (Noblesville, IN)
API address [ 19900 Hague Rd, Noblesville, IN, 46062-9502, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Northview Middle School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 8401 Westfield Blvd, Indianapolis, IN, 46240-2367, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Paul Hadley Middle School (Mooresville, IN)
API address [ 200 W Carlisle St, Mooresville, IN, 46158-1558, US, null, null, 39.6169733, -86.37990980000001, null]
- Pendleton Heights Middle School (Pendleton, IN)
API address [ 7450 S 300 W, Pendleton, IN, 46064-9322, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Riverside Intermediate/Junior High School (Fishers, IN)
API address [ 11014 Eller Rd, Fishers, IN, 46038-1606, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Westfield Intermediate School (Westfield, IN)
API address [ 326 W Main St, Westfield, IN, 46074-9384, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Westlane Middle School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 1301 W 73rd St, Indianapolis, IN, 46260-3919, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Wilbur Wright Middle School (Munster, IN)
API address [ 8650 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN, 46321-2518, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Zionsville Middle School (Zionsville, IN)
API address [ 900 N Ford Rd, Zionsville, IN, 46077-1279, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Zionsville West Middle School (Zionsville, IN)
API address [ 5565 S 700 E, Zionsville, IN, 46077, US, null, null, 39.9598672, -86.3364024, null]
High Schools
- Ben Davis University High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 1155 S High School Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46241-3121, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bishop Chatard High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 5885 N, Indianapolis, IN, 46220-2840, US, null, null, 39.86181759999999, -86.1275101, null]
- Blackford High School (Hartford City, IN)
API address [ 2392 IN-3, Hartford City, IN, 47348-9597, US, null, null, 40.4851894, -85.3764217, null]
- Bloomington High School North (Bloomington, IN)
API address [ 3901 N Kinser Pike, Bloomington, IN, 47404-1870, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bloomington High School South (Bloomington, IN)
API address [ 1965 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN, 47401-6529, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Brownsburg High School (Brownsburg, IN)
API address [ 1000 S Odell St, Brownsburg, IN, 46112-1929, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Carmel High School (Carmel, IN)
API address [ 520 E Main St, Carmel, IN, 46032-2259, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Center Grove High School (Greenwood, IN)
API address [ 2717 S Morgantown Rd, Greenwood, IN, 46143-8537, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Chesterton High School (Chesterton, IN)
API address [ 2125 S 11th St, Chesterton, IN, 46304, US, null, null, 41.6087847, -87.059963, null]
- Columbus East High School (Columbus, IN)
API address [ 230 S Marr Rd, Columbus, IN, 47201-7267, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Crispus Attucks High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 1140 Doctor M.L.K. Jr St, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-2221, US, null, null, 39.7829242, -86.169851, null]
- Crown Point High School (Crown Point, IN)
API address [ 1500 S Main St, Crown Point, IN, 46307-9492, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Delta High School (Muncie, IN)
API address [ 3400 IN-28, Muncie, IN, 47303-9774, US, null, null, 40.278571, -85.3480228, null]
- Fishers High School (Fishers, IN)
API address [ 13000 Promise Rd, Fishers, IN, 46038-9606, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Floyd Central High School (Floyds Knobs, IN)
API address [ 6575 Old Vincennes Rd, Floyds Knobs, IN, 47119-9742, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Frankfort High School (Frankfort, IN)
API address [ 1 S Maish Rd, Frankfort, IN, 46041-2825, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Franklin Community High School (Franklin, IN)
API address [ 2600 Cumberland Dr, Franklin, IN, 46131-6809, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Frankton Junior/Senior High School (Frankton, IN)
API address [ 610 E Clyde St, Frankton, IN, 46044-9360, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Griffith High School (Griffith, IN)
API address [ 600 N Wiggs St, Griffith, IN, 46319-2060, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Hamilton Southeastern High School (Fishers, IN)
API address [ 13910 E 126th St, Fishers, IN, 46037-9781, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Herron High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 110 E 16th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, US, null, null, 39.7889994, -86.1555027, null]
- Jennings County High School (North Vernon, IN)
API address [ 800 W Walnut St, North Vernon, IN, 47265, US, null, null, 38.9988337, -85.6410784, null]
- Lafayette Jefferson High School (Lafayette, IN)
API address [ 1801 S 18th St, Lafayette, IN, 47905-2011, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lake Central High School (Saint John, IN)
API address [ 8400 Wicker Ave, Saint John, IN, 46373-9710, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lawrence Central High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 7300 E 56th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46226-1306, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lawrence North High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 7802 Hague Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46256-1754, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lebanon High School (Ulen, IN)
API address [ 510 Tiger Wy, Ulen, IN, 46052-3020, US, null, null, 40.0584609, -86.462054, null]
- Marion High School (Marion, IN)
API address [ 750 West 26th Street, Marion, IN, 46953, US, null, null, 40.5389673, -85.66869109999999, null]
- Mooresville High School (Mooresville, IN)
API address [ 550 N Indiana St, Mooresville, IN, 46158-1220, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mount Vernon High School (Fortville, IN)
API address [ 8112 N 200 W, Fortville, IN, 46040-9747, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Munster High School (Munster, IN)
API address [ 8808 Columbia Ave, Munster, IN, 46321-2520, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- New Albany High School (New Albany, IN)
API address [ 1020 Vincennes St, New Albany, IN, 47150-3148, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Noblesville High School (Noblesville, IN)
API address [ 18111 Cumberland Rd, Noblesville, IN, 46060-5650, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- North Central High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 1801 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46240-2345, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Perry Meridian High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 401 W Meridian School Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46217-4215, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Pike High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 5401 W 71st St, Indianapolis, IN, 46268-2106, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Riley High School (South Bend, IN)
API address [ 1902 Fellows St, South Bend, IN, 46613, US, null, null, 41.6544786, -86.2433179, null]
- Saint Joseph High School (South Bend, IN)
API address [ 453 N Notre Dame Ave, South Bend, IN, 46617-2335, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- South Dearborn High School (Aurora, IN)
API address [ 5770 Highlander Pl, Aurora, IN, 47001-9452, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Southport High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 971 E Banta Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46227-2207, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Warren Central High School (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 9500 E 16th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46229-2008, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Westfield High School (Westfield, IN)
API address [ 18250 N Union St, Westfield, IN, 46074-9337, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Whiteland High School (New Whiteland, IN)
API address [ 300 E Main St, New Whiteland, IN, 46184-1550, US, null, null, 39.5513254, -86.08557739999999, null]
- Zionsville High School (Zionsville, IN)
API address [ 1000 Mulberry St, Zionsville, IN, 46077-1143, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Colleges
- Ball State University (Muncie, IN)
API address [ Cooper Science Complex and Planetarium, Muncie, IN, 47306-1022, US, null, null, 40.1999048, -85.4115988, null]
- Butler University (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis, IN, 46208-3443, US, null, null, 39.8381669, -86.1705391, null]
- DePauw University (Greencastle, IN)
API address [ 313 S Locust St, Greencastle, IN, 46135-1736, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Indiana University of Bloomington (Bloomington, IN)
API address [ 107 S Indiana Ave, Bloomington, IN, 47405-7000, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Marian University (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ 3200 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis, IN, 46222-1960, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
API address [ 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2040, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, IN)
API address [ Main Building, Notre Dame, IN, 46556-4635, US, null, null, 41.7030267, -86.2390726, null]
- University of Southern Indiana (Evansville, IN)
API address [ 8600 University Blvd, Evansville, IN, 47712-3534, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Wabash College (Crawfordsville, IN)
API address [ 301 W Wabash Ave, Crawfordsville, IN, 47933-0352, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Citizens
- Indiana Citizens (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ null, Indianapolis, IN, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Indiana University School of Medicine (Indianapolis) Citizens (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ null, Indianapolis, IN, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Pendleton Citizens (Indianapolis, IN)
API address [ null, Indianapolis, IN, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
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