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
Missouri Chapter Listing
Elementary Schools 
Middle Schools
High Schools 
Colleges 
Citizens programTo join a chapter, click a school name below
Elementary Schools
- Coldwater Elementary (Florissant, MO)
API address [ 1105 Wiethaupt Rd, Florissant, MO, 63031, US, null, null, 38.82590649999999, -90.325076, null]
- Conway Elementary (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 9900 Conway Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63124, US, null, null, 38.64016489999999, -90.3927927, null]
- Edgar Road Elementary School (Webster Groves, MO)
API address [ 1131 Edgar Rd, Webster Groves, MO, 63119-4950, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Eureka Elementary (Eureka, MO)
API address [ 5350 Rockwood Arbor Dr, Eureka, MO, 63025, US, null, null, 38.5104725, -90.66211179999999, null]
- Fairway Elementary (Wildwood, MO)
API address [ 480 Old Fairway Drive, Wildwood, MO, 63040, US, null, null, 38.5688697, -90.6196531, null]
- Green Pines Elementary (Ballwin, MO)
API address [ 16543 Green Pines Drive, Ballwin, MO, 63011, US, null, null, 38.5907915, -90.6267629, null]
- Journey Elementary (Wentzville, MO)
API address [ 2000 Interstate Dr, Wentzville, MO, 63385, US, null, null, 38.801205, -90.8984138, null]
- Jury Elementary (Black Jack, MO)
API address [ 11950 Old Halls Ferry Road, Black Jack, MO, 63033, US, null, null, 38.7883144, -90.2699842, null]
- Long Elementary (Saint Louis, MO)
API address [ 9021 Sappington Rd, Saint Louis, MO, 63126, US, null, null, 38.546572019601, -90.381509992472, null]
- Old Bonhomme Elementary (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 9661 Old Bonhomme Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63132, US, null, null, 38.6691369, -90.3890246, null]
- Point Elementary (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 6790 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, MO, 63129, US, null, null, 38.4403932, -90.3212124, null]
- Pond Elementary School (Wildwood, MO)
API address [ 17200 Manchester Rd, Wildwood, MO, 63040-1021, US, null, null, 38.578633, -90.65072020000001, null]
- Ralph Blevins Elementary School (Eureka, MO)
API address [ 25 E North St, Eureka, MO, 63025, US, null, null, 38.5108402, -90.6261566, null]
- Reed Elementary (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 9060 Ladue Road, St. Louis, MO, 63124, US, null, null, 38.6527539, -90.36338669999999, null]
- Ridge Meadows Elementary (Ellisville, MO)
API address [ 777 Ridge Road, Ellisville, MO, 63021, US, null, null, 38.5721779, -90.6015457, null]
- Robert T. Geggie Elementary (Eureka, MO)
API address [ 430 Bald Hill Rd, Eureka, MO, 63025, US, null, null, 38.496362, -90.63011430000002, null]
- Rogers Elementary (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 7700 Fine Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63129, US, null, null, 38.4198413, -90.33667439999999, null]
- Spoede Elementary (Creve Coeur, MO)
API address [ 425 N Spoede Rd, Creve Coeur, MO, 63141, US, null, null, 38.6631427, -90.41583179999999, null]
- Wohlwend Elementary School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 5966 Telegraph Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63129, US, null, null, 38.4595074, -90.30452939999999, null]
Middle Schools
- Bernard Middle School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 1054 Forder Road, St. Louis, MO, 63129, US, null, null, 38.4951272, -90.32649289999999, null]
- Hazelwood West Middle School (Hazelwood, MO)
API address [ 12834 Missouri Bottom Rd, Hazelwood, MO, 63042, US, null, null, 38.7811586, -90.4122885, null]
- Hixson Middle School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 630 S Elm Ave, St. Louis, MO, 63119-4047, US, null, null, 38.5796082, -90.35869149999999, null]
- Lasalle Springs Middle School (Wildwood, MO)
API address [ 3300 MO-109, Wildwood, MO, 63038-2201, US, null, null, 38.5517185, -90.63892589999999, null]
- Martin City Middle School (Kansas City, MO)
API address [ 201 E 133rd St, Kansas City, MO, 64145-1408, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Nipher Middle School (Kirkwood, MO)
API address [ 700 S Kirkwood Rd, Kirkwood, MO, 63122-5929, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- North Kirkwood Middle School (Kirkwood, MO)
API address [ 11287 Manchester Rd, Kirkwood, MO, 63122-1122, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- North Point Middle School (Wentzville, MO)
API address [ 2275 W Meyer Rd, Wentzville, MO, 63385, US, null, null, 38.8279502, -90.90418509999999, null]
- Parkway West Middle School (Chesterfield, MO)
API address [ 2312 Baxter Rd, Chesterfield, MO, 63017-7721, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Pershing Middle School (Springfield, MO)
API address [ 2120 South Ventura Avenue, Springfield, MO, 65804, US, null, null, 37.1747691, -93.2423907, null]
- Rockwood South Middle School (Fenton, MO)
API address [ 1628 Hawkins Rd, Fenton, MO, 63026-2629, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Rogers Middle School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 7550 MacKenzie Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63123-2746, US, null, null, 38.5729965, -90.3192974, null]
- Sperreng Middle School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 12111 Tesson Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63128-1728, US, null, null, 38.5177227, -90.3657381, null]
- Washington Middle School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 5165 Ambs Road, St. Louis, MO, 63128, US, null, null, 38.4922291, -90.3710803, null]
- Wildwood Middle School (Wildwood, MO)
API address [ 17401 Manchester Rd, Wildwood, MO, 63038-1906, US, null, null, null, null, null]
High Schools
- Battle High School (Columbia, MO)
API address [ 7575 East Saint Charles Road, Columbia, MO, 65202, US, null, null, 38.97125, -92.22178989999999, null]
- Bayless High School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 4532 Weber Road, St. Louis, MO, 63123, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Chaminade (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 425 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63131, US, null, null, 38.6497465, -90.4071501, null]
- Clayton High School (Clayton, MO)
API address [ 1 Mark Twain Cir, Clayton, MO, 63105-1613, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Eureka High School (Eureka, MO)
API address [ 4525 MO-109, Eureka, MO, 63025-1248, US, null, null, 38.5156624, -90.6286987, null]
- Grain Valley High School (Grain Valley, MO)
API address [ 551 Southwest Eagles Parkway, Grain Valley, MO, 64029, US, null, null, 39.0090535, -94.206447, null]
- Kirkwood High School (Kirkwood, MO)
API address [ 801 W Essex Ave, Kirkwood, MO, 63122-3608, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Ladue Horton Watkins High School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 1201 Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63124-1266, US, null, null, 38.6395324, -90.39691069999999, null]
- Lafayette High School (Ballwin, MO)
API address [ 17050 Clayton Rd, Ballwin, MO, 63011-1792, US, null, null, 38.5951939, -90.6378891, null]
- Lindbergh High School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 5000 Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63126, US, null, null, 38.528488, -90.3738791, null]
- Lutheran South High School (Affton, MO)
API address [ 9515 Tesson Ferry Rd, Affton, MO, 63123, US, null, null, 38.5474833, -90.3338818, null]
- Marquette High School (Chesterfield, MO)
API address [ 2351 Clarkson Rd, Chesterfield, MO, 63017-7122, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mary Institute and Country Day School (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 101 N Warson Rd, St. Louis, MO, 63141-1326, US, null, null, 38.6602597, -90.3968371, null]
- McCluer North High School (Florissant, MO)
API address [ 705 Waterford Dr, Florissant, MO, 63033-3647, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- North Point High School (Wentzville, MO)
API address [ 2255 W Meyer Rd, Wentzville, MO, 63385, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Orchard Farm High School (Saint Charles, MO)
API address [ 2175 Hwy V, Saint Charles, MO, 63301, US, null, null, 38.8980364, -90.44960499999999, null]
- Parkway West High School (Ballwin, MO)
API address [ 14653 Clayton Rd, Ballwin, MO, 63011-2656, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Rockwood Summit High School (Fenton, MO)
API address [ 1780 Hawkins Rd, Fenton, MO, 63026-2650, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- St. Joseph's Academy (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 2307 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63131, US, null, null, 38.6249982, -90.4079325, null]
- Valley Park High School (Valley Park, MO)
API address [ 1 Main St, Valley Park, MO, 63088, US, null, null, 38.551804003563, -90.494818990349, null]
- Webster Groves High School (Webster Groves, MO)
API address [ 100 Selma Ave, Webster Groves, MO, 63119-3107, US, null, null, 38.5902104, -90.3485617, null]
- Westminster Christian Academy (Chesterfield, MO)
API address [ 800 Maryville Centre Dr, Chesterfield, MO, 63017, US, null, null, 38.6371668, -90.5036792, null]
Colleges
- Lindenwood University (Saint Charles, MO)
API address [ 209 S Kingshighway St, Saint Charles, MO, 63301-1693, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Maryville University (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 650 Maryville University Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63141-5849, US, null, null, 38.6461693, -90.5036552, null]
- Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, MO)
API address [ 300 W 14th St, Rolla, MO, 65409, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Saint Louis University (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 1 N Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108-2006, US, null, null, 38.634991, -90.23436989999999, null]
- Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO)
API address [ Academic Hall, Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701-4710, US, null, null, 37.3126918, -89.5310047, null]
- University of Missouri-Columbia (Columbia, MO)
API address [ 125 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211-1130, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Washington University (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63130-4862, US, null, null, 38.6482446, -90.30494159999999, null]
Citizens
- Kansas City Metro Citizens (Kansas City, MO)
API address [ null, Kansas City, MO, null, US, null, null, 39.0997265, -94.5785667, null]
- St. Louis Community Citizens (St. Louis, MO)
API address [ null, St. Louis, MO, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
