Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs

Best Buddies Leadership Development programs represents one of our organization’s four 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.

Join a Program or Volunteer

Virginia & Washington, D.C. Promoters Chapter Listings

To join a chapter in Virginia, click the school name below

Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria, VA)
API address [ 201 Cambridge Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22314-4809, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Flint Hill School (Oakton, VA)
API address [ 3320 Jermantown Rd, Oakton, VA, 22124-2405, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Madeira School (McLean, VA)
API address [ 8328 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 22102-1203, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Saint John Paul The Great Catholic High School (Dumfries, VA)
API address [ 17700 Dominican Dr, Dumfries, VA, 22026, US, null, null, 38.5679615, -77.2862186, null]
St. Stephen's/St. Agnes School (Alexandria, VA)
API address [ 1000 St Stephens Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22304-1727, US, null, null, 38.8174128, -77.1015911, null]

Bull Run Middle School (Gainesville, VA)
API address [ 6308 Catharpin Rd, Gainesville, VA, 20155-1440, US, null, null, null, null, null]
George Washington Middle School (Alexandria, VA)
API address [ 1005 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, 22301-1707, US, null, null, 38.8158603, -77.0554569, null]
Hickory Middle School (Chesapeake, VA)
API address [ 1997 Hawk Blvd, Chesapeake, VA, 23322-2125, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Kenmore Middle School (Arlington, VA)
API address [ 200 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204-1014, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church, VA)
API address [ 2000 Westmoreland St, Falls Church, VA, 22043-1721, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (Falls Church, VA)
API address [ 7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 22043-2309, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Williamsburg Middle School (Arlington, VA)
API address [ 3600 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA, 22207-1844, US, null, null, null, null, null]

Ashlawn Elementary School (Arlington, VA)
API address [ 5950 8th Rd N, Arlington, VA, 22205, US, null, null, 38.872838, -77.1363373, null]
Barrett Elementary School (Arlington, VA)
API address [ 4401 N Henderson Rd, Arlington, VA, 22203-2711, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Centre Ridge Elementary (Centreville, VA)
API address [ 14400 New Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA, 20121, US, null, null, 38.8258735, -77.44572339999999, null]
Crestwood Elementary School (Richmond, VA)
API address [ 7600 Whittington Dr, Richmond, VA, 23225, US, null, null, 37.526142, -77.537669, null]
Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School (Arlington, VA)
API address [ 3500 23rd St S, Arlington, VA, 22206-2461, US, null, null, 38.8485828, -77.0869184, null]
Oakridge Elementary (Arlington, VA)
API address [ 1414 24th St S, Arlington, VA, 22202-1553, US, null, null, null, null, null]

To join a chapter in Washington, D.C., click the school name below

Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 1524 35th St NW, Washington, DC, 20007-2700, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Gonzaga College High School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 19 I St NW, Washington, DC, 20001-1425, US, null, null, null, null, null]
National Cathedral School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 3612 Woodley Rd NW, Washington, DC, 20016, US, null, null, 38.931431085305, -77.072139157482, null]
School Without Walls (Washington, DC)
API address [ 2130 G St NW, Washington, DC, 20037-2703, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 3825 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20016-2907, US, null, null, null, null, null]
St John's College High School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 2607 Military Rd NW, Washington, DC, 20015-1009, US, null, null, null, null, null]
St. Alban's School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 3001 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20016, US, null, null, 38.9291052, -77.0728808, null]
The Field School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 2301 Foxhall Rd NW, Washington, DC, 20007, US, null, null, 38.9206802, -77.08835069999999, null]
Washington International School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 3100 Macomb St NW, Washington, DC, 20008, US, null, null, null, null, null]

Our Lady of Victory (Washington, DC)
API address [ 4835 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC, 20007, US, null, null, 38.9164373, -77.0947125, null]
Shepherd Elementary School (Washington, DC)
API address [ 7800 14th St NW, Washington, DC, 20012, US, null, null, 38.9845784, -77.0340476, 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.

Attend a Training

Host a Training

Male Buddy Ambassador speaking at an event podium

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.

Join a chapter

Group of Promoter Chapter members playing football on a field

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.

Leadership Development (VADC)

Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs

Virginia & Washington, D.C. Promoters Chapter Listings

BESTBUDDIES^® Ambassadors

BESTBUDDIES^® Promoters

How The Ambassadors Program Works

Advocacy Training

Public Speaking

Speech Coaches

Ongoing Development

Advancement

How The Promoters Program Works

Connect

Ongoing Support

Advocate

Events

Best Buddies in VA & DC

Best Buddies International

Leadership Development (VADC)

Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs

Virginia & Washington, D.C. Promoters Chapter Listings

BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors

BESTBUDDIES® Promoters

How The Ambassadors Program Works

Advocacy Training

Public Speaking

Speech Coaches

Ongoing Development

Advancement

How The Promoters Program Works

Connect

Ongoing Support

Advocate

Events

Best Buddies in VA & DC

Best Buddies International

BESTBUDDIES^® Ambassadors

BESTBUDDIES^® Promoters