One-to-One Friendship Programs

Best Buddies Friendship programs represent one of our organization’s four key mission pillars. These programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences and activities that many other individuals enjoy.

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Two participants walking down street together

BESTBUDDIES^® Elementary Schools

Builds connections and community between young students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through inclusive activities and social-emotional learning tools that promote one-to-one friendship, acceptance, and interaction at an early age.

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two young best buddies participants with their arms over each others shoulders

BESTBUDDIES^® Middle Schools

Fosters one-to-one friendships between middle school students with and without IDD, in which they share interests, experiences, and activities. Students with IDD are often isolated and left out of social activities. Best Buddies Middle Schools helps to create an inclusive middle school culture for all students early on in their educational development.

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BESTBUDDIES^® High Schools

Fosters one-to-one friendships between high school students with and without IDD. In this time of heightened social and emotional development that can be difficult even for teenagers without IDD, the Best Buddies High Schools program helps break through social barriers at an important time in a young person’s life.

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Two female High school students standing back to back and smiling

BESTBUDDIES^® Colleges

Fosters one-to-one friendships between college students without IDD and their peers on campus or in the community with IDD. Young adults with IDD historically have been isolated at home or in work environments. The Best Buddies Colleges program is changing this by providing the opportunity for people with IDD to be involved in their local campus and community life.

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two college program participants hugging

BESTBUDDIES^® Citizens

Supports the development of friendships between adults with and without IDD in corporate and civic communities. Many people with IDD have limited opportunities for social interactions after they leave the school environment. This program helps people with IDD become part of mainstream society and creates an inclusive and diverse community for all.

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Two male citizen program members flexing their muscles

e-Buddies ^®

e-Buddies provides opportunities for volunteers with and without IDD to develop friendships online and create connections using the power of technology. The program provides the opportunity for members to connect through the e-Buddies social platform, which is designed to expand friendships and create shared experiences through virtual social events. Anyone age 13 and older can participate in e-Buddies. Our program is available throughout the United States and internationally for English-speaking people.

More Info

How our Friendship programs Work

Matching

A participant with IDD is paired with a person without IDD based on location and shared interest for at least one year of friendship. For school programs, matches typically start at the beginning of the school year.

Meet-ups

Participating in activities and spending quality in-person time together at least twice a month is suggested for buddy pairs of all ages.

Events

Best Buddies Offices and Chapters plan events, host group activities, support friendship matches and are available for onsite support.

Communication

Buddy pairs connect at least once a week by email, phone call, texting, social media or written correspondence.

Email

For e-Buddies, participants communicate via email at least once a week for a year.

Monitoring

Best Buddies staff members maintain regular contact with Friendship program participants to ensure the quality of matched pairs.

Maryland Chapter Listing

To join a chapter, click a school name below

Elementary Schools

Cabin Branch Elementary School (Boyds, MD)
API address [ 14129 Dunlin St, Boyds, MD, 20841, US, null, null, 39.2224906, -77.29460499999999, null]
Centennial Lane Elementary (Ellicott City, MD)
API address [ 3825 Centennial Ln, Ellicott City, MD, 21042, US, null, null, 39.2666868, -76.86085779999999, null]
Havre De Grace Elementary (Havre de Grace, MD)
API address [ 600 S Juniata St, Havre de Grace, MD, 21078, US, null, null, 39.5419628, -76.0972463, null]
Holy Redeemer Catholic School (Kensington, MD)
API address [ 9715 Summit Ave, Kensington, MD, 20895-3649, US, null, null, null, null, null]
J. P. Ryon Elementary School (Waldorf, MD)
API address [ 12140 Vivian Adams Dr, Waldorf, MD, 20601-3603, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Lakewood Elementary School (Rockville, MD)
API address [ 2534 Lindley Terrace, Rockville, MD, 20850, US, null, null, 39.0874964, -77.1936388, null]
Rock Creek Valley Elementary School (Rockville, MD)
API address [ 5121 Russett Road, Rockville, MD, 20853, US, null, null, 39.0831426, -77.1025758, null]
St. Leonard Elementary School (Saint Leonard, MD)
API address [ 5370 St Leonard Rd, Saint Leonard, MD, 20685, US, null, null, 38.4641487, -76.49923129999999, null]
Waugh Chapel Elementary School (Odenton, MD)
API address [ 840 Sunflower Drive, Odenton, MD, 21113, US, null, null, 39.0651861, -76.6961274, null]
Woodfield Elementary School (Gaithersburg, MD)
API address [ 24200 Woodfield Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, 20882-3936, US, null, null, null, null, null]

Middle Schools

Bonnie Branch Middle School (Ellicott City, MD)
API address [ 4979 Ilchester Rd, Ellicott City, MD, 21043-6837, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Boonsboro Middle School (Boonsboro, MD)
API address [ 1 Jh Wade Dr, Boonsboro, MD, 21713-1141, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Brunswick Middle School (Brunswick, MD)
API address [ 301 Cummings Dr, Brunswick, MD, 21716, US, null, null, 39.3140607, -77.6080774, null]
Cabin John Middle School (Potomac, MD)
API address [ 10701 Gainsborough Rd, Potomac, MD, 20854-2572, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Chesapeake Bay Middle School (Pasadena, MD)
API address [ 4804 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD, 21122, US, null, null, 39.1098018, -76.4512245, null]
City Neighbors Charter School (Baltimore, MD)
API address [ 4301 Raspe Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21206-1913, US, null, null, null, null, null]
E. Russell Hicks Middle School (Hagerstown, MD)
API address [ 1321 S Potomac St, Hagerstown, MD, 21740, US, null, null, 39.6149277, -77.7332526, null]
Ellicott Mills Middle School (Ellicott City, MD)
API address [ 4445 Montgomery Rd, Ellicott City, MD, 21043-6007, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Fallston Middle School (Fallston, MD)
API address [ 2303 Carrs Mill Rd, Fallston, MD, 21047-1839, US, null, null, null, null, null]
General John Stricker Middle School (Dundalk, MD)
API address [ 7855 Trappe Road, Dundalk, MD, 21222, US, null, null, 39.2738185, -76.4914517, null]
John Hanson Middle School (Waldorf, MD)
API address [ 3165 John Hanson Dr, Waldorf, MD, 20601, US, null, null, 38.6232339, -76.88933999999999, null]
Marley Middle School (Glen Burnie, MD)
API address [ 10 Davis Ct, Glen Burnie, MD, 21060, US, null, null, 39.1486628, -76.5955972, null]
Northeast Middle School (Pasadena, MD)
API address [ 7922 Outing Ave, Pasadena, MD, 21122, US, null, null, 39.1319027, -76.5485522, null]
Northern Middle School (Owings, MD)
API address [ 2954 Chaneyville Rd, Owings, MD, 20736, US, null, null, 38.6849336, -76.65355110000002, null]
Oakdale Middle School (Ijamsville, MD)
API address [ 5810 Oakdale School Road, Ijamsville, MD, 21754, US, null, null, 39.3931493, -77.3189342, null]
Old Mill Middle School South (Millersville, MD)
API address [ 430 Old Mill Road, Millersville, MD, 21108, US, null, null, 39.1214531, -76.6165048, null]
Oxon Hill Middle School (Fort Washington, MD)
API address [ 9570 Fort Foote Rd, Fort Washington, MD, 20744-5703, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Patterson Mill Middle School (Bel Air, MD)
API address [ 85 Patterson Mill Rd, Bel Air, MD, 21015-6241, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Robert Frost Middle School (Rockville, MD)
API address [ 9201 Scott Dr, Rockville, MD, 20850, US, null, null, 39.0758963, -77.18706759999999, null]
Roberto Clemente Middle School (Germantown, MD)
API address [ 18808 Waring Station Rd, Germantown, MD, 20874-1920, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Rosa M. Parks Middle School (Olney, MD)
API address [ 19200 Olney Mill Rd, Olney, MD, 20832, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Severn River Middle School (Arnold, MD)
API address [ 241 Peninsula Farm Rd, Arnold, MD, 21012, US, null, null, 39.0591338, -76.5133522, null]
Southampton Middle School (Bel Air, MD)
API address [ 1200 Moores Mill Rd, Bel Air, MD, 21014-2727, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Southwest Academy (Woodlawn, MD)
API address [ 6200 Johnnycake Rd, Woodlawn, MD, 21207-3929, US, null, null, 39.2997674, -76.7364478, null]
Tilden Middle School (Rockville, MD)
API address [ 6300 Tilden Ln, Rockville, MD, 20852-3201, US, null, null, 39.0382215, -77.1221793, null]

High Schools

Aberdeen High School (Aberdeen, MD)
API address [ 251 Paradise Rd, Aberdeen, MD, 21001-2324, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, MD)
API address [ 4920 Strathmore Ave, Kensington, MD, 20895-1207, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Albert Einstein High School (Kensington, MD)
API address [ 11135 Newport Mill Rd, Kensington, MD, 20895-1648, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Annapolis High School (Annapolis, MD)
API address [ 2700 Riva Rd, Annapolis, MD, 21401-7205, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Archbishop Spalding High School (Severn, MD)
API address [ 8080 New Cut Rd, Severn, MD, 21144-2301, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Arundel High School (Gambrills, MD)
API address [ 1001 Annapolis Rd, Gambrills, MD, 21054-1033, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Atholton High School (Columbia, MD)
API address [ 6520 Freetown Rd, Columbia, MD, 21044-4002, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Bel Air High School (Bel Air, MD)
API address [ 100 Heighe St, Bel Air, MD, 21014-4147, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School (Bethesda, MD)
API address [ 4301 East-West Hwy, Bethesda, MD, 20814-4420, US, null, null, 38.9867342, -77.0889127, null]
Blake High School (Silver Spring, MD)
API address [ 300 Norwood Rd, Silver Spring, MD, 20905-3800, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Bowie High School (Bowie, MD)
API address [ 15200 Annapolis Rd, Bowie, MD, 20715-1800, US, null, null, null, null, null]
C. Milton Wright High School (Bel Air, MD)
API address [ 1301 N Fountain Green Rd, Bel Air, MD, 21015-2505, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Charles H. Flowers High School (Springdale, MD)
API address [ 10001 Ardwick Ardmore Rd, Springdale, MD, 20774-2640, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Chesapeake High School (Pasadena, MD)
API address [ 4798 Mountain Rd, Pasadena, MD, 21122-5839, US, null, null, null, null, null]
City Neighbors High School (Baltimore, MD)
API address [ 5609 Sefton Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21214-2300, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Connelly School of the Holy Child (Potomac, MD)
API address [ 9029 Bradley Blvd, Potomac, MD, 20854-4604, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Crofton High School (Gambrills, MD)
API address [ 2291 Davidsonville Rd, Gambrills, MD, 21054-1701, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Damascus High School (Damascus, MD)
API address [ 25921 Ridge Rd, Damascus, MD, 20872-1846, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School (Takoma Park, MD)
API address [ 1010 Larch Ave, Takoma Park, MD, 20912, US, null, null, 38.9770812, -76.9903176, null]
DuVal High School (Lanham, MD)
API address [ 9880 Good Luck Road, Lanham, MD, 20706-3423, US, null, null, 38.98960769595095, -76.83781031371923, null]
Eastern Technical High School (Baltimore, MD)
API address [ 1100 Mace Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21221, US, null, null, 39.32538890000001, -76.4732715, null]
Easton High School (Easton, MD)
API address [ 723 Mecklenburg Ave, Easton, MD, 21601, US, null, null, 38.7558777, -76.0658423, null]
Fallston High School (Fallston, MD)
API address [ 2301 Carrs Mill Rd, Fallston, MD, 21047-1839, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Franklin High School (Reisterstown, MD)
API address [ 12000 Reisterstown Rd, Reisterstown, MD, 21136-3041, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Frederick Douglass High School (Upper Marlboro, MD)
API address [ 8000 Croom Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD, 20772-9777, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Georgetown Preparatory School (North Bethesda, MD)
API address [ 10900 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD, 20852-3209, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Glen Burnie High School (Glen Burnie, MD)
API address [ 7550 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd, Glen Burnie, MD, 21060-7357, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Governor Thomas Johnson High school (Frederick, MD)
API address [ 1501 N Market St, Frederick, MD, 21701, US, null, null, 39.4340062, -77.4058245, null]
Great Mills High School (Great Mills, MD)
API address [ 21130 Great Mills Rd, Great Mills, MD, 20634-2344, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Hammond High School (Columbia, MD)
API address [ 8800 Guilford Rd, Columbia, MD, 21046-1408, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Havre de Grace High School (Havre de Grace, MD)
API address [ 445 Lewis Ln, Havre de Grace, MD, 21078-3018, US, null, null, 39.5470735, -76.0959323, null]
Hereford High School (Parkton, MD)
API address [ 17301 York Rd, Parkton, MD, 21120-9757, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Howard High School (Ellicott City, MD)
API address [ 8700 Old Annapolis Rd, Ellicott City, MD, 21043-6920, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Kent Island High School (Stevensville, MD)
API address [ 900 Love Point Rd, Stevensville, MD, 21666, US, null, null, 38.9903266, -76.30973879999999, null]
Lansdowne High School (Lansdowne, MD)
API address [ 3800 Hollins Ferry Rd, Lansdowne, MD, 21227, US, null, null, 39.246097, -76.652862, null]
Linganore High School (Frederick, MD)
API address [ 12013 Old Annapolis Road Linganore High School Stadium Lot, Frederick, MD, 21701, US, null, null, 39.4316953, -77.2446374, null]
Loyola Blakefield High School (Towson, MD)
API address [ 500 Chestnut Ave, Towson, MD, 21204-3704, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Maryvale Preparatory School (Timonium, MD)
API address [ 11300 Falls Rd, Timonium, MD, 21093, US, null, null, 39.4340798, -76.67995959999999, null]
North County High School (Glen Burnie, MD)
API address [ 10 1st Ave, Glen Burnie, MD, 21060-2073, US, null, null, 39.1516857, -76.5932725, null]
North Point High School (Waldorf, MD)
API address [ 2500 Davis Rd, Waldorf, MD, 20603-3857, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Northeast High School (Pasadena, MD)
API address [ 1121 Duvall Hwy, Pasadena, MD, 21122-1941, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Northern High School (Owings, MD)
API address [ 2950 Chaneyville Rd, Owings, MD, 20736-9665, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Northwestern High School (Hyattsville, MD)
API address [ 7000 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville, MD, 20782-1454, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (Olney, MD)
API address [ 17301 Old Vic Blvd, Olney, MD, 20832-1603, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Oxon Hill High School (Oxon Hill, MD)
API address [ 6701 Leyte Drive, Oxon Hill, MD, 20745, US, null, null, 38.7970941, -76.9944558, null]
Paint Branch High School (Burtonsville, MD)
API address [ 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD, 20866-1721, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Patterson Mill High School (Bel Air, MD)
API address [ 85 Patterson Mill Rd, Bel Air, MD, 21015-6241, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Patuxent High School (Lusby, MD)
API address [ 12485 Southern Connector Blvd, Lusby, MD, 20657-2795, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Pocomoke High School (Pocomoke City, MD)
API address [ 1817 Old Virginia Rd, Pocomoke City, MD, 21851-3049, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Queen Anne's County High School (Centreville, MD)
API address [ 125 Ruthsburg Rd, Centreville, MD, 21617, US, null, null, 39.0438965, -76.0643187, null]
Quince Orchard High School (Gaithersburg, MD)
API address [ 15800 Quince Orchard Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878-3481, US, null, null, 39.1157481, -77.2539857, null]
Reservoir High School (Fulton, MD)
API address [ 11550 Scaggsville Rd, Fulton, MD, 20759-2206, US, null, null, null, null, null]
River Hill High School (Clarksville, MD)
API address [ 12101 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD, 21029-1230, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Rockville High School (Rockville, MD)
API address [ 2100 Baltimore Rd, Rockville, MD, 20851-1229, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Seneca Valley High School (Germantown, MD)
API address [ 19401 Crystal Rock Dr, Germantown, MD, 20874-1593, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Severn Run High School (Severn, MD)
API address [ 8065 New Cut Road, Severn, MD, 21144, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Severna Park High School (Severna Park, MD)
API address [ 60 Robinson Rd, Severna Park, MD, 21146-2899, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Sherwood High School (Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD)
API address [ 300 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Ashton-Sandy Spring, MD, 20860-1005, US, null, null, 39.147927, -77.0187529, null]
South River High School (Edgewater, MD)
API address [ 201 Central Ave E, Edgewater, MD, 21037-2802, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Springbrook High School (Silver Spring, MD)
API address [ 201 Valley Brook Dr, Silver Spring, MD, 20904-2946, US, null, null, null, null, null]
St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Potomac, MD)
API address [ 8804 Postoak Road, Potomac, MD, 20854, US, null, null, 39.0465924, -77.1763342, null]
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (Bethesda, MD)
API address [ 9101 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD, 20814-3811, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Suitland High School (District Heights, MD)
API address [ 5200 Silver Hill Rd, District Heights, MD, 20747-2045, US, null, null, 38.8543988, -76.91721919999999, null]
Thomas S. Wootton High School (Rockville, MD)
API address [ 2100 Wootton Pkwy, Rockville, MD, 20850-3037, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Towson High School (Towson, MD)
API address [ 69 Cedar Ave, Towson, MD, 21286-7844, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Walt Whitman High School (Bethesda, MD)
API address [ 7100 Whittier Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817-6170, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Walter Johnson High School (Bethesda, MD)
API address [ 6400 Rock Spring Dr, Bethesda, MD, 20817-1913, US, null, null, 39.0257625, -77.13051879999999, null]
Wicomico High School (Salisbury, MD)
API address [ 201 Long Ave, Salisbury, MD, 21804, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Wilde Lake High School (Columbia, MD)
API address [ 5460 Trumpeter Rd, Columbia, MD, 21044-2314, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Winston Churchill High School (Potomac, MD)
API address [ 11300 Gainsborough Rd, Potomac, MD, 20854-3700, US, null, null, null, null, null]

Colleges

Bowie State University (Bowie, MD)
API address [ 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, MD, 20715, US, null, null, 39.01812169999999, -76.75972709999999, null]
Community College of Baltimore County Dundalk (Dundalk, MD)
API address [ CCBC Dundalk Wellness & Athletics Center, Dundalk, MD, 21222-4649, US, null, null, 39.2672503, -76.512058, null]
Hood College (Frederick, MD)
API address [ Hood College, Frederick, MD, 21701-8524, US, null, null, 39.4221419, -77.4204415, null]
Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
API address [ 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21218-2625, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Loyola University Maryland (Baltimore, MD)
API address [ 4501 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21210-2601, US, null, null, 39.3461942, -76.62138, null]
McDaniel College (Westminster, MD)
API address [ 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD, 21157-4303, US, null, null, 39.58418520000001, -77.0019169, null]
Midshipmen Action Group (Annapolis, MD)
API address [ 121 Blake Rd, Annapolis, MD, 21402-1300, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Montgomery College (Rockville, MD)
API address [ PA, Rockville, MD, 20850-1101, US, null, null, 39.0978131, -77.15692109999999, null]
Salisbury University (Salisbury, MD)
API address [ 1101 Camden Ave, Salisbury, MD, 21801-6837, US, null, null, null, null, null]
St. Mary's College of Maryland (Saint Marys City, MD)
API address [ Maintenance Building/Central Receiving, Saint Marys City, MD, 20686-3002, US, null, null, 38.1880114, -76.4238269, null]
Stevenson University (Stevenson, MD)
API address [ 1525 Greenspring Vly Rd, Stevenson, MD, 21153-0641, US, null, null, 39.4219683, -76.7007086, null]
Towson University (Towson, MD)
API address [ 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD, 21252-0001, US, null, null, null, null, null]
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Baltimore, MD)
API address [ Information Technology/ Engineering, Baltimore, MD, 21250-0001, US, null, null, 39.2537213, -76.7143524, null]
University of Maryland, College Park (College Park, MD)
API address [ Mitchell Bldg, College Park, MD, 20742, US, null, null, 38.9866767, -76.93950439999999, null]
Washington College (Chestertown, MD)
API address [ Kent House, Chestertown, MD, 21620-1438, US, null, null, 39.2184284, -76.0673379, null]

Citizens

Maryland Citizens (Baltimore, MD)
API address [ null, Baltimore, MD, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]

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

Friendship (Maryland)

One-to-One Friendship Programs

BESTBUDDIES^® Elementary Schools

BESTBUDDIES^® Middle Schools

BESTBUDDIES^® High Schools

BESTBUDDIES^® Colleges

BESTBUDDIES^® Citizens

e-Buddies ^®