Washington, March 22, 2023 — Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce a generous fund from The Dan Thompson Memorial of $289,000 to further our mission of inclusion by launching a Jobs programs through the State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).

Best Buddies is built upon four key mission pillars: one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living. With the money provided by The Dan Thompson Memorial, Best Buddies will focus on furthering our mission of inclusion through securing 15-20 employer partners, identifying 15-20 interested participants with IDD, and successfully placing participants with IDD in integrated employment.

The Best Buddies Jobs program secures jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and continuously and independently support themselves.
Interested employer partners and individuals with IDD interested in being part of the program should reach out to Best Buddies staff to get involved.

For more information about Best Buddies in Washington, please contact Director, Jobs, Sheri Dean, at SheriDean@bestbuddies.org or 978-427-8979.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 elementary school, middle school, high school, and college Friendship and Promoter chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 56 countries and territories, positively impacting the lives of over 1.3 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live independently, become inspirational leaders and build lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.