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.

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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.

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Host a Training

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

Maine Chapter Listing

To join a chapter, click a school name below

Elementary Schools

Brown Elementary School (South Portland, ME)
API address [ 37 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME, 04106, US, null, null, 43.6347554, -70.2488035, null]
Buxton Center Elementary School (Buxton, ME)
API address [ 912 Long Plains Rd, Buxton, ME, 04093, US, null, null, 43.6520026, -70.5419617, null]
C.K. Burns School (Saco, ME)
API address [ 135 Middle Street, Saco, ME, 04072, US, null, null, 43.5012769, -70.4399368, null]
Central Community School (Corinth, ME)
API address [ 118 Main Street b, Corinth, ME, 04427, US, null, null, 45.006315, -69.024428, null]
Earl C. McGraw School (Hampden, ME)
API address [ 20 Main Rd N, Hampden, ME, 04444, US, null, null, 44.7512896, -68.8292294, null]
Greely 4-5 (Cumberland, ME)
API address [ 351 Tuttle Rd, Cumberland, ME, 04021, US, null, null, 43.7968881, -70.25194549999999, null]
Kennebunk Consolidated School (Kennebunkport, ME)
API address [ 25 School Street, Kennebunkport, ME, 04046, US, null, null, 43.3615293, -70.4689405, null]
Kennebunk Elementary School (Kennebunk, ME)
API address [ 177 Alewive Road, Kennebunk, ME, 04043, US, null, null, 43.4176705, -70.5610442, null]
Lamoine Consolidated School (Lamoine, ME)
API address [ 53 Lamoine Beach Rd, Lamoine, ME, 04605, US, null, null, 44.47843599999999, -68.34084059999999, null]
Mildred L Day School (Arundel, ME)
API address [ 600 Limerick Road, Arundel, ME, 04046, US, null, null, 43.44554429999999, -70.5379217, null]
Narragansett Elementary School (Gorham, ME)
API address [ 284 Main St, Gorham, ME, 04038, US, null, null, 43.68612419999999, -70.42748139999999, null]
West Bath School (West Bath, ME)
API address [ 126 New Meadows Road, West Bath, ME, 04530, US, null, null, 43.9238408, -69.8610284, null]

Middle Schools

Biddeford Middle School (Biddeford, ME)
API address [ 25 Tiger Dr, Biddeford, ME, 04005, US, null, null, 43.4735137, -70.4647456, null]
Bonny Eagle Middle School (Buxton, ME)
API address [ 92 Sokokis Trail, Buxton, ME, 04093, US, null, null, 43.6949191, -70.5961447, null]
Falmouth Middle School (Falmouth, ME)
API address [ 52 Woodville Rd, Falmouth, ME, 04105-1106, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Freeport Middle School (Freeport, ME)
API address [ 19 Kendall Ln, Freeport, ME, 04032, US, null, null, 43.8646451, -70.1034875, null]
Gorham Middle School (Gorham, ME)
API address [ 106 Weeks Rd, Gorham, ME, 04038, US, null, null, 43.6651745, -70.443094, null]
Greely Middle School (Cumberland, ME)
API address [ 351 Tuttle Rd, Cumberland, ME, 04021-3649, US, null, null, null, null, null]
James F. Doughty School (Bangor, ME)
API address [ 143 5th St, Bangor, ME, 04401, US, null, null, 44.7974979, -68.7839604, null]
Marshwood Middle School (Eliot, ME)
API address [ 626 Dow Highway, Eliot, ME, 03903, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Messalonskee Middle School (Oakland, ME)
API address [ 33 E School St, Oakland, ME, 04963, US, null, null, 44.542889, -69.7159198, null]
Middle School of the Kennebunks (Kennebunk, ME)
API address [ 60 Thompson Road, Kennebunk, ME, 04043, US, null, null, 43.41222680000001, -70.57486949999999, null]
Saco Middle School (Saco, ME)
API address [ 40 Buxton Road, Saco, ME, 04072, US, null, null, 43.5254316, -70.46708459999999, null]
William S. Cohen School (Bangor, ME)
API address [ 304 Garland St, Bangor, ME, 04401, US, null, null, 44.81033499999999, -68.7561587, null]

High Schools

Bangor High School (Bangor, ME)
API address [ 885 Broadway, Bangor, ME, 04401, US, null, null, 44.83128970000001, -68.7816397, null]
Brewer High School (Brewer, ME)
API address [ 79 Parkway S, Brewer, ME, 04412-1627, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Cape Elizabeth High School (Cape Elizabeth, ME)
API address [ 345 Ocean House Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME, 04107-2441, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Cheverus High School (Portland, ME)
API address [ 267 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME, 04103-5707, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Deering High School (Portland, ME)
API address [ 370 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103, US, null, null, 43.6714535, -70.2965138, null]
Falmouth High School (Falmouth, ME)
API address [ 74 Woodville Rd, Falmouth, ME, 04105-1106, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Freeport High School (Freeport, ME)
API address [ 30 Holbrook St, Freeport, ME, 04032, US, null, null, 43.8576439, -70.1095407, null]
Greely High School (Cumberland, ME)
API address [ 303 Main St, Cumberland, ME, 04021-3958, US, null, null, 43.7984714, -70.2548777, null]
Hermon High School (Hermon, ME)
API address [ 2415 US-2, Hermon, ME, 04401, US, null, null, 44.8100518, -68.8986503, null]
Morse High School (Bath, ME)
API address [ 826 Shipbuilder Drive, Bath, ME, 04530, US, null, null, 43.915968, -69.83573299999999, null]
North Yarmouth Academy (Yarmouth, ME)
API address [ 148 Main Street, Yarmouth, ME, 04096, US, null, null, 43.7997136, -70.18516919999999, null]
Old Town High School (Old Town, ME)
API address [ 203 Stillwater Ave, Old Town, ME, 04468, US, null, null, 44.9351782, -68.6573504, null]
Portland High School (Portland, ME)
API address [ 284 Cumberland Ave, Portland, ME, 04101, US, null, null, 43.6589502, -70.2586712, null]
South Portland High School (South Portland, ME)
API address [ 637 Highland Ave, South Portland, ME, 04106, US, null, null, 43.6217963, -70.26813539999999, null]
Thornton Academy (Saco, ME)
API address [ 438 Main St, Saco, ME, 04072, US, null, null, 43.5067491, -70.4377808, null]
Wells High School (Wells, ME)
API address [ 200 Sanford Rd, Wells, ME, 04090, US, null, null, 43.3200818, -70.5882641, null]
Yarmouth High School (Yarmouth, ME)
API address [ 286 W Elm St, Yarmouth, ME, 04096-7906, US, null, null, null, null, null]

Colleges

Bowdoin College (Brunswick, ME)
API address [ 255 Maine St, Brunswick, ME, 04011, US, null, null, 43.90646985913929, -69.96414587365656, null]
Colby College (Waterville, ME)
API address [ 4600 Mayflower Hill Dr, Waterville, ME, 04901-8846, US, null, null, 44.5595985, -69.6606746, null]
Husson University (Bangor, ME)
API address [ 1 College Cir, Bangor, ME, 04401, US, null, null, 44.8289619, -68.7930107, null]
Thomas College (Waterville, ME)
API address [ 180 River Rd, Waterville, ME, 04901, US, null, null, 44.5520105, -69.6317121, null]
University of Maine, Orono (Orono, ME)
API address [ 168 College Ave, Orono, ME, 04473, US, null, null, 44.8955674, -68.6735534, null]
University of New England (Biddeford, ME)
API address [ 11 Hills Beach Rd, Biddeford, ME, 04005-9526, US, null, null, null, null, null]
University of Southern Maine (Portland, ME)
API address [ Payson Smith Hall, Portland, ME, 04103-4864, US, null, null, 43.6621143, -70.2777677, null]

Citizens

Greater Bangor Citizens (Bangor, ME)
API address [ null, Bangor, ME, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
Greater Portland Citizens (Portland, ME)
API address [ null, Portland, ME, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
Huhtamaki Citizens (Waterville, ME)
API address [ 242 College Avenue, Waterville, ME, 04901, US, null, null, 44.577923, -69.60996949999999, null]
Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (Bangor, ME)
API address [ 489 State Street, Bangor, ME, 04401, US, null, null, 44.807945, -68.7512009, null]
Unum Citizens (Portland, ME)
API address [ 2211 Congress St, Portland, ME, 04102, US, null, null, 43.6541432, -70.32625759999999, null]

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

Leadership Development (Maine)

Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs

BESTBUDDIES^® Ambassadors

BESTBUDDIES^® Promoters

BESTBUDDIES^® Transitions