BEST BUDDIES
Best Buddies International is the largest organization in the world dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic exclusion of 200 million people with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD by helping them build meaningful peer relationships, gain successful employment, live independently, improve public speaking skills, self-advocacy and communication, and feel valued by society.
Best Buddies Portugal is part of a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Having a friend and a paid job is something so many of us take for granted, but for some, making friends and finding employment can be really difficult. This is where Best Buddies can help!
МІSSION
Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD).
WHO WE SERVE
Best Buddies works to support people with intellectual or developmental disabilities such as Down’s syndrome, Autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Williams syndrome, and Fragile-X syndrome.
PROGRAMS
Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.
One-To-One Friendships
Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social coaching, while improving the quality of life and the level of inclusion for the population, which is often isolated and excluded from society.
BESTBUDDIES® School-based friendship programmes and Citizens programmes create an inclusive environment for students and adults with IDD, helping them integrate socially with their peers at any age.
E-BUDDIES® offers an online program where a participant with an IDD communicates with a friend without an IDD.
Integrated Employment
Provides employment for IDD, enabling them to earn money, pay taxes and support themselves financially and independently.
BESTBUDDIES® Employment
Brings together trained IDD qualified professionals with companies that are looking for dedicated and dedicated employees. Through the Employment Program, Best Buddies develops partnerships with employers, assists in the hiring process, and provides ongoing support for the employee and employer. Pre-Employment Training Services are also offered in some of our communities, to ensure our participants are fully prepared for the workforce.
Leadership Development
Educates and empowers people with IDD to become leaders, public speakers and advocates for themselves and others.
BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors
Offers people with and without IDD the opportunity to gain the public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence necessary to successfully advocate for themselves, their peers and their Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government.
BESTBUDDIES® Promoters
Empowers young people to advocate for the rights of people with IDD by allowing them to run Best Buddies clubs and programs with a focus on organizing special events to promote inclusion and awareness of the disability movement.
Inclusive Living
Provides an integrated experience where people with and without IDD feel like active citizens living independently in a dynamic environment where they can learn, grow and thrive.
BESTBUDDIES® Living
Provides opportunities for people with and without IDD to live together in a vibrant educational community, helping all residents with employment, financial literacy, continuing education and life skills while working to achieve personal goals.
Best Buddies Portugal
