Best Buddies International, a global nonprofit dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is pleased to announce a new partnership with Inclusion Cayman. This collaboration will establish Best Buddies’ signature Friendship Program in the Cayman Islands, with plans to grow into additional program areas over time.

Inclusion Cayman is an independent nonprofit organization advocating for inclusion, meaningful family life, and community participation for children and adults with IDD and their families throughout the Cayman Islands. The organization works across multiple priorities—including inclusive education, community life, and employment—supporting families, schools, employers, and community groups to create an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive.

A representative from Inclusion Cayman’s board recently attended Best Buddies International’s annual Staff Leadership Conference, strengthening connections between the two organizations and laying the foundation for collaborative growth. This visit provided valuable insights into Best Buddies’ program models and reinforced the shared commitment to enhancing inclusion across communities globally.

The initial phase of the partnership will focus on implementing the Best Buddies Friendship Program, which connects individuals with and without IDD in one-to-one friendships that promote connection, community participation, and mutual respect. Over time, both organizations hope to expand into additional Best Buddies signature program areas such as leadership development, advocacy efforts, and inclusive employment initiatives.

“Our partnership with Inclusion Cayman represents a wonderful opportunity to bring the life-changing power of friendship to the Cayman Islands,” said Anthony Shriver, Founder of Best Buddies International. “Inclusion Cayman’s deep commitment to community inclusion, paired with our proven Friendship Program, will help unleash the potential of individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, making our global movement stronger than ever.”

“Being on the ground in the Cayman Islands and seeing the momentum behind this launch was incredibly powerful. This partnership represents exactly how Best Buddies grows globally - by working alongside committed local leaders to build sustainable, inclusive communities. We’re excited to see the Friendship Program take root and expand its impact across the islands,” said Cary Ombres, Senior Vice President, Best Buddies International.

“Receiving accreditation to launch Best Buddies Cayman Islands is a milestone that goes far beyond our organization. It is a statement about the kind of community we are committed to building here in the Cayman Islands. For too long, social isolation has been one of the most persistent and painful barriers facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Best Buddies offers a proven, structured pathway to address that, not through policy alone, but through real, lasting human connection.

Inclusion isn't just about being present in the same spaces. It is about relationships, belonging, and building a culture where every person is visible, valued, and fully part of everyday life. That is exactly what the Best Buddies Friendship Program makes possible, one friendship at a time, starting in our classrooms.

We are proud to join a global network operating across nearly 50 countries, and we are deeply grateful for the support of Cayman’s Ministry of Education and Training, whose commitment to piloting this program in four schools signals a genuine shift in how we think about inclusion in education. We have every confidence in our student leaders, our schools, and our community. The Cayman Islands is ready to take its place in this movement, and we are only just getting started,” said Shan Harriman, CEO of Inclusion Cayman and Best Buddies Cayman Islands.

Best Buddies International has established programs in communities around the world to foster inclusion, friendship, and opportunity for people with IDD. This new partnership with Inclusion Cayman marks a meaningful step forward in advancing Best Buddies’ mission in the Caribbean region.

For more information about Best Buddies International and its global programs, please visit www.bestbuddies.org.