• Why We Matter
    • WHAT WE DO
      • Mission
      • Impact
      • Vision and Goals
      • History
    • PROGRAMS
      • Friendship
      • Jobs
      • Leadership Development
      • Living
      • Family Support
    • MISSION IN ACTION
      • Featured Profiles
      • Videos
  • Take Action
    • Join a Program
    • Hire a Buddy
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Attend an Event
    • Advocate
    • Join Team Rosemary
  • Find Programs
    • United States
    • International
  • Media
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Blog
  • Our Supporters
    • Celebrity Ambassadors
    • Corporations
    • Foundations
    • Government
    • Team Relentless
    • Top Fundraising Teams
  • About Us
    • OUR TEAM
      • Founder and Chairman
      • Board of Directors
      • Executive Team
      • Office & Staff Directory
      • Career Opportunities
    • FINANCIAL INFO
      • Annual Report
      • Where The Dollar Goes
      • IRS Form 990
  • Donate
  • Attend an Event
  • Shop
  • Fine Art
    • Fine Art Collection
    • David Yarrow Photography
  • Members Area
Skip to Content
Donate
Members Area
  • Fine Art
    ▼
    • Fine Art Collection
    • David Yarrow Photography
Shop
Best Buddies International Best Buddies International
  • Why We Matter
    • WHAT WE DO
      • Mission
      • Impact
      • Vision and Goals
      • History
    • PROGRAMS
      • Friendship
      • Jobs
      • Leadership Development
      • Living
      • Family Support
    • MISSION IN ACTION
      • Featured Profiles
      • Videos
  • Take Action
    • Join a Program
    • Hire a Buddy
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Attend an Event
    • Advocate
    • Join Team Rosemary
  • Find Programs
    • United States
    • International
  • Media
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Blog
  • Our Supporters
    • Celebrity Ambassadors
    • Corporations
    • Foundations
    • Government
    • Team Relentless
    • Top Fundraising Teams
  • About Us
    • OUR TEAM
      • Founder and Chairman
      • Board of Directors
      • Executive Team
      • Office & Staff Directory
      • Career Opportunities
    • FINANCIAL INFO
      • Annual Report
      • Where The Dollar Goes
      • IRS Form 990
  • Donate
  • Attend an Event
  • Shop
  • Fine Art
    • Fine Art Collection
    • David Yarrow Photography
  • Members Area
Home: Best Buddies International logo
DONATE

The Impact of a Citizens Friendship: Kara Falcone and Daniella

  • MA & RI
  • About Us
    ▼
    • Our Programs
    • Our Impact
    • Advisory Board
    • Staff Directory
  • Get Involved
    ▼
    • Join a Program or Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Attend An Event
    • Advocate
    • Shop
    • Sign up for Updates
  • Events
  • News & Stories
  • DONATE
  • MA & RI
    ▼
    • Home
    • About Us
      ▼
      • About Best Buddies in MA & RI
      • Our Programs
      • Our Impact
      • Advisory Board
      • Staff Directory
    • Get Involved
      ▼
      • Join a Program or Volunteer
      • Donate
      • Attend an Event
      • Shop
      • Advocate
      • Sign Up for Updates
    • Events
    • News & Stories
    • Donate
The Impact of a Citizens Friendship: Kara Falcone and Daniella

The Impact of a Citizens Friendship: Kara Falcone and Daniella

Jul 3, 2023 | Massachusetts News |
Kara and Daniella

“Our friendship is not any different than any other friendship, and everyone deserves a friend like Daniella.” – Kara Falcone

When Kara Falcone was 12 years old, she entered Duxbury Middle School ready to make a difference. Middle school is a pivotal time in someone’s life, as students start to make choices that will shape them into the person they grow to be.

For Kara, the choices she made shaped her into an athlete, an academic, and an advocate. She chose to play a variety of sports, focus on her studies, and be friends with a group of individuals that are oftentimes marginalized.

Inspired by her neighbor who had a disability, Kara joined Best Buddies Middle Schools, a special program that creates 1:1 friendships to help foster an inclusive school culture for students early in their development.

Unbeknownst to her, joining Best Buddies Middle Schools was just the first step in her lifelong Best Buddies journey.

Kara’s involvement with Best Buddies continued throughout high school and into adulthood, each year becoming less of a hobby and more of a passion until it eventually developed into her career. Today, Kara serves as the State Director of Best Buddies Massachusetts and Rhode Island (MARI).

In addition to being the State Director, Kara is also part of the Best Buddies Citizens Program. The Citizens Program pairs an adult with an intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) in a one-to-one friendship with an adult without IDD from their local community. These two adults then develop a mutually enriching friendship, experience life together, and support each other when it’s needed most.

Through Citizens, Kara met her buddy, Daniella.

Two years ago, Daniella got involved with Best Buddies through the jobs program, which helped her secure a job at Sanofi. The Jobs Program was such a successful experience for her that she wanted to learn more about what Best Buddies had to offer and look for more ways to get involved.

Shortly after learning about the Citizens program, Daniella was matched with Kara, and it was love at first Zoom meeting! Kara says that “Daniella’s bubbly personality, infectious energy, and enthusiasm for life struck me right away.” In the world we live in today, those exuberant qualities that Daniella and many other people with IDD have, are often overlooked because of their disability.

Citizens, and all Best Buddies programs help people see others beyond a disability and appreciate everyone for all that they are. “One thing about my friendship is that I feel a sense of connection and appreciation for my strengths and difficulties,” says Daniella.

When you are part of the Citizens program, you have the opportunity to make connections and long-lasting friendships like Kara and Daniella’s.

Together, Kara and Daniella enjoy going to musicals, painting pottery, going for walks, and having ice cream and dinner dates together. In between hangouts, they love chatting on the phone to keep each other updated, give advice, and plan their next adventure.

“I think everyone should get involved in the Best Buddies Citizens program! This will help our society to be more inclusive in general, and it is the most wonderful, loving, day-brightening group of people I have ever been involved with,” Kara said.

Best Buddies Citizens helps individuals become more included in our community and build a diverse connection to friendship. Through learning to see life from a new perspective, people become more understanding, patient, and accepting of others.

When asked what Best Buddies Citizens means to Daniella, she responded by saying, “Citizens means feeling included and being part of a community where you feel like you belong.”

Making the choice to be a friend goes a long way. If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference in someone’s life, apply to the Citizens program today at www.bestbuddies.org/join, or email JackPerry@bestbuddies.org.

Tags: Best Buddies ChallengeTom Brady
0
Share

You also might be interested in

Tom Brady Hosts Kickoff for Best Buddies Challenge

Tom Brady Hosts Kickoff for Best Buddies Challenge

Sep 28, 2016

We know Tom Brady’s back from Italy because the Pats QB was at the Seaport Hotel Tuesday to host a kickoff event for the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, the 100-mile charity ride/walk that benefits Best Buddies International. (The nonprofit helps people with IDD.

22nd Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala: Le Cirque de la Nuit and Hublot Best Buddies Challenge: Miami Raise $2.8 million to Support Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

22nd Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala: Le Cirque de la Nuit and Hublot Best Buddies Challenge: Miami Raise $2.8 million to Support Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Nov 20, 2018

MIAMI, FL., November 19, 2018 – Nearly 700 people attended the 22nd Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala: Le Cirque de la Nuit at Mana Wynwood, Florida on Friday, November 16. The star-studded event raised $2.8 million in total donations for Best Buddies International.

Hublot Unveils New Limited Edition with Best Buddies International in the San Francisco Bay

Hublot Unveils New Limited Edition with Best Buddies International in the San Francisco Bay

Sep 7, 2018

September 6, 2018 [Woodside, CA] – Tonight, Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot unveiled its second limited-edition timepiece in partnership with Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Best Buddies State Footer logo

Best Buddies in MA & RI

Staff Directory

CHANGE LOCATION

Best Buddies International Logo

Best Buddies International

Global Headquarters
100 Southeast Second St, Suite 2200
Miami, FL 33131

Toll Free: 1-800-89 BUDDY (28339)

  • Find a US Program
  • Find an International Program
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Career Opportunities
  • Office & Staff Directory
newsletter
Want to connect
with Best Buddies?

Sign up for our emails

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Privacy & Accessibility Statement
©2025 Best buddies international
A 501(c)(3) Organization
Prev Next