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.
Pennsylvania Chapter Listing
Promoters chapters
Ambassadors programTo join a chapter, click a school name below
- Carlow University (Pittsburgh, PA)
API address [ 3333 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213-3109, US, null, null, 40.4389338, -79.9631161, null]
- Gwynedd-Mercy University (North Wales, PA)
API address [ 1325 Sumneytown Pike, North Wales, PA, 19454-0901, US, null, null, 40.1978214, -75.2365363, null]
- Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA)
API address [ Alumni Building Parking Pavilion, Bethlehem, PA, 18015-3027, US, null, null, 40.6061702, -75.38053359999999, null]
- Robert Morris University (Carnot-Moon, PA)
API address [ 6001 University Blvd, Carnot-Moon, PA, 15108-2574, US, null, null, 40.5206046, -80.21076099999999, null]
- Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA)
API address [ 1 morrow way, Slippery Rock, PA, 16057-1314, US, null, null, 41.0525552, -80.0704461, null]
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
API address [ Franklin Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-6205, US, null, null, 39.9533837, -75.1938205, null]
- University of Pittsburgh Greensburg (Greensburg, PA)
API address [ 150 Finoli Dr, Greensburg, PA, 15601, US, null, null, 40.2765036, -79.53205559999999, null]
- Beaver High School (Beaver, PA)
API address [ 1 Gypsy Glen Rd, Beaver, PA, 15009, US, null, null, 40.6973038, -80.3181335, null]
- Conwell Egan Catholic High School (Fairless Hills, PA)
API address [ 611 Wistar Rd, Fairless Hills, PA, 19030, US, null, null, 40.162216, -74.8500169, null]
- Fox Chapel Area High School (Pittsburgh, PA)
API address [ 611 Field Club Rd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15238-2406, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Grove City High School (Grove City, PA)
API address [ 511 Highland Ave, Grove City, PA, 16127, US, null, null, 41.1623926, -80.09871059999999, null]
- Hampton High School (Hampton Township, PA)
API address [ 2929 McCully Rd, Hampton Township, PA, 15101-1327, US, null, null, 40.5829883, -79.9412177, null]
- Highlands High School (Natrona Heights, PA)
API address [ 1500 Pacific Ave, Natrona Heights, PA, 15065, US, null, null, 40.6175437, -79.72769360000001, null]
- Hopewell Area High School (Aliquippa, PA)
API address [ 1215 Longvue Avenue, Aliquippa, PA, 15001, US, null, null, 40.5881225, -80.25346669999999, null]
- Knoch High School (Saxonburg, PA)
API address [ 345 Knoch Rd, Saxonburg, PA, 16056-9301, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Manheim Township High School (Lancaster, PA)
API address [ 115 Blue Streak Boulevard, Lancaster, PA, 17601, US, null, null, 40.1027607, -76.2996197, null]
- Masterman High School (Philadelphia, PA)
API address [ 1699 Spring Garden St, Philadelphia, PA, 19130, US, null, null, 39.9634241, -75.1657257, null]
- Montour High School (McKees Rocks, PA)
API address [ 223 Clever Rd, McKees Rocks, PA, 15136-4012, US, null, null, 40.4668982, -80.12099909999999, null]
- Peters Township High School (McMurray, PA)
API address [ 121 Rolling Hills Dr, McMurray, PA, 15317-2948, US, null, null, 40.2677835, -80.1182571, null]
- Radnor High School (Wayne, PA)
API address [ 130 King of Prussia Rd, Wayne, PA, 19087-5234, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Somerset Area High School (Somerset, PA)
API address [ 645 South Columbia Avenue, Somerset, PA, 15501, US, null, null, 40.0012658, -79.086218, null]
- West Chester East High School (West Chester, PA)
API address [ 450 Ellis Ln, West Chester, PA, 19380-5123, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- William Tennent High School (Warminster, PA)
API address [ 333 Centennial Road, Warminster, PA, 18974, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Abington Middle School (Glenside, PA)
API address [ 2056 Susquehanna Road, Glenside, PA, 19038, US, null, null, 40.115281, -75.1294542, null]
- Butler Intermediate High School (Butler, PA)
API address [ 551 Fairground Hill Rd, Butler, PA, 16001-4805, US, null, null, 40.8618532, -79.8921684, null]
- Charles Boehm Middle School (Morrisville, PA)
API address [ 866 Big Oak Rd, Morrisville, PA, 19067-4729, US, null, null, 40.2087464, -74.8277404, null]
- Chartiers Valley Middle School (Bridgeville, PA)
API address [ 50 Thoms Run Rd, Bridgeville, PA, 15017, US, null, null, 40.3786512, -80.1029755, null]
- Deer Lakes Middle School (Cheswick, PA)
API address [ 17 E Union Rd, Cheswick, PA, 15024-1724, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Dorseyville Middle School (Pittsburgh, PA)
API address [ 3732 Saxonburg Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15238-1068, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Great Valley Middle School (Malvern, PA)
API address [ 255 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA, 19355-1124, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Hampton Middle School (Allison Park, PA)
API address [ 4589 School Dr, Allison Park, PA, 15101-2516, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Haverford Middle School (Havertown, PA)
API address [ 1701 Darby Rd, Havertown, PA, 19083-3738, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Hopewell Memorial Junior High School (Aliquippa, PA)
API address [ 24 Circle Dr, Aliquippa, PA, 15001, US, null, null, 40.5905934, -80.26237189999999, null]
- Moon Area Middle School (Carnot-Moon, PA)
API address [ 904 Beaver Grade Rd, Carnot-Moon, PA, 15108, US, null, null, 40.5129955, -80.21772299999999, null]
- Octorara Intermediate School (Atglen, PA)
API address [ 221 Highland Rd, Atglen, PA, 19310, US, null, null, 39.9314668, -75.9471405, null]
- Owen J. Roberts Middle School (Pottstown, PA)
API address [ 881 Ridge Rd, Pottstown, PA, 19465-8421, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Paxon Hollow Middle School (Broomall, PA)
API address [ 815 Paxon Hollow Rd, Broomall, PA, 19008-3421, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Peirce Middle School (West Chester, PA)
API address [ 1314 Burke Rd, West Chester, PA, 19380-1114, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Pennwood Middle School (Morrisville, PA)
API address [ 1523 Makefield Rd, Morrisville, PA, 19067-3181, US, null, null, 40.21200169999999, -74.8231144, null]
- Peters Township Middle School (McMurray, PA)
API address [ 264 E McMurray Rd, McMurray, PA, 15317-3497, US, null, null, 40.2827723, -80.08149519999999, null]
- Quaker Valley Middle School (Sewickley, PA)
API address [ 618 Harbaugh St, Sewickley, PA, 15143-1873, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Riverside Middle School (Ellwood City, PA)
API address [ 318 Country Club Dr, Ellwood City, PA, 16117, US, null, null, 40.8319161, -80.2577234, null]
- William Penn Middle School (Morrisville, PA)
API address [ 1524 Derbyshire Rd, Morrisville, PA, 19067-4741, US, null, null, 40.2111047, -74.83042569999999, null]
- Belmont Hills Elementary School (Bala Cynwyd, PA)
API address [ 200 School St, Bala Cynwyd, PA, 19004-1910, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bridesburg Elementary School (Philadelphia, PA)
API address [ 2824 Jenks Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19137, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Burchfield Primary School (Allison Park, PA)
API address [ 1500 Burchfield Rd, Allison Park, PA, 15101-4000, US, null, null, 40.5472829, -79.9429663, null]
- Copper Beech Elementary (Glenside, PA)
API address [ 825 N Easton Rd, Glenside, PA, 19038, US, null, null, 40.1145912, -75.1386241, null]
- East Bradford Elementary School (West Chester, PA)
API address [ 820 Frank Rd, West Chester, PA, 19380, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Emily Brittain Elementary School (Butler, PA)
API address [ 338 N Washington St, Butler, PA, 16001-5242, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- General Wayne Elementary School (Malvern, PA)
API address [ 20 Devon Rd, Malvern, PA, 19355, US, null, null, 40.0300981, -75.4935552, null]
- Haine Elementary (Cranberry Township, PA)
API address [ 1516 Haine School Rd, Cranberry Township, PA, 16066, US, null, null, 40.695817, -80.1269817, null]
- Haine Middle School (Cranberry Township, PA)
API address [ 1516 Haine School Road, Cranberry Township, PA, 16066, US, null, null, 40.6954895, -80.12746849999999, null]
- Hartwood Elementary School (Pittsburgh, PA)
API address [ 3730 Saxonburg Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15238-1068, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Highland Elementary School (Abington, PA)
API address [ 1301 Edge Hill Rd, Abington, PA, 19001, US, null, null, 40.1232622, -75.12343349999999, null]
- Holiday Park Elementary School (Pittsburgh, PA)
API address [ 313 Holiday Park Dr, Pittsburgh, PA, 15239, US, null, null, 40.471279, -79.714677, null]
- Hosack Elementary School (McCandless, PA)
API address [ 9275 Peebles Rd, McCandless, PA, 15101-1926, US, null, null, 40.574722, -80.003129, null]
- Kathryn D. Markley Elementary School (Malvern, PA)
API address [ 354 Swedesford Rd, Malvern, PA, 19355-1603, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mars Area Elementary (Mars, PA)
API address [ 549 PA-228, Mars, PA, 16046, US, null, null, 40.6966048, -79.98358209999999, null]
- Mars Centennial School (Mars, PA)
API address [ 100 Winfield Manor Drive, Mars, PA, 16046, US, null, null, 40.6975987, -79.9677164, null]
- Marshall Elementary School (Wexford, PA)
API address [ 5135 Wexford Run Rd, Wexford, PA, 15090, US, null, null, 40.643624, -80.09074179999999, null]
- McKinley Elementary School (Elkins Park, PA)
API address [ 370 Cedar Rd, Elkins Park, PA, 19027, US, null, null, 40.0814257, -75.1053699, null]
- McQuistion Elementary School (Butler, PA)
API address [ 210 Mechling Dr, Butler, PA, 16001, US, null, null, 40.8430544, -79.8892692, null]
- Northwest Elementary (Butler, PA)
API address [ 124 Staley Ave, Butler, PA, 16001, US, null, null, 40.8689127, -79.9377205, null]
- O'Block Elementary School (Plum, PA)
API address [ 201 Center New Texas Rd, Plum, PA, 15239, US, null, null, 40.48070269999999, -79.75951719999999, null]
- Pleasant Valley Elementary (McMurray, PA)
API address [ 250 E McMurray Rd, McMurray, PA, 15317, US, null, null, 40.2668681, -80.11956579999999, null]
- R.A. Lutz Elementary (Pittsburgh, PA)
API address [ 3454 Pleasantvue Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15227, US, null, null, 40.3808798, -79.9503673, null]
- Riverside Elementary School (Ellwood City, PA)
API address [ 302 Country Club Dr, Ellwood City, PA, 16117-4910, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Roslyn Elementary School (Abington, PA)
API address [ 2565 Susquehanna Rd, Abington, PA, 19001, US, null, null, 40.1260843, -75.1402179, null]
- Starkweather Elementary School (West Chester, PA)
API address [ 1050 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA, 19382-7368, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- West Vincent Elementary School (Chester Springs, PA)
API address [ 2750 Conestoga Rd, Chester Springs, PA, 19425, US, null, null, 40.1112017, -75.6890791, null]
- Whitehall Elementary (Pittsburgh, PA)
API address [ 4900 Curry Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15236, US, null, null, 40.3527881, -79.9942209, null]
- Whitehall Elementary School (Norristown, PA)
API address [ 399 N Whitehall Rd, Norristown, PA, 19403-2711, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Is your school not listed? Click here for info on how to start a chapter.
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
