Emma & Harrell
Friendship program participants
For the past three years, the halls of Souhegan High School have been brightened by the presence of one extraordinary friendship. Emma and Harrell, now seniors, met when they were first-year Sabres at the school in Amherst and were matched in the Best Buddies program. Being matched in a one-to-one friendship has enhanced the high school experience for both Emma and Harrell. Emma explains that while many high schoolers worry about the opinions of their peers and whether they are “popular,” she feels that the bond she has with Harrell is more than enough to make her feel like she belongs.
Jeet
Integrated Employment
Jeet Dave was diagnosed with Autism during his school years and was placed under a partial IEP program. Before becoming involved with Best Buddies, he began pursuing an associate degree in Accounting at Oakton Community College with support from the IEP program. During this time, he experienced feelings of insecurity and concern about securing a job in accounting. It was around this period that he was introduced to Best Buddies through Ms. Eileen Morrison.
Kiontis
Leadership Development program - Global Ambassador
My name is Kiontis Gallion, also known as Kid Autistic, and I am proud to call the great state of Wisconsin my home. My journey began at West Allis Central High School, where I faced many challenges—loneliness, bullying, and a search for belonging. For a long time, I struggled to see my own worth.
Yvenie
Inclusive Living program - Resident
For Yvenie Joseph, becoming a resident of Best Buddies Living in Los Angeles has been truly life-changing. Before joining the program in January 2024, she faced immense challenges—moving from place to place without family support, struggling with her mental health, and ultimately living in a homeless shelter. She longed for stability, independence, and a place to call home. Best Buddies Living provided her with exactly that and more. Now, for the first time in her life, she has her own room, a steady job, and a supportive community that empowers her to thrive.
Tata & Nikki
Eunie's Buddies Mentee and Mentor
“I joined the Eunie’s Buddies program while searching for more support, especially from people who just get it. My mentor Tata and I were matched almost immediately, and I still remember our first phone call —it lasted almost two hours! Although she’s in Florida and I’m in Washington State, with a three-hour time difference, we hit it off right away.
Yasmin & Aiden
Friendship program participants
From their smiles, easy conversations, and evident friendship, watching Aiden and Yasmin at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk with their high school team perfectly illustrates the Best Buddies mission in action. As seniors at Thomas Edison High School, Aiden and Yasmin have been matched in a one-to-one friendship since freshman year, and Best Buddies has made a lasting impact on their lives.
Robin
Jobs program - Klingman & Associates, LLC.
Robin currently works as an office manager at Klingman & Associates, LLC, a wealth management firm, in New York City. She has been with the company for over five and a half years, starting as an intern in January 2019 and transitioning to a full-time role after two months.
At her job, she uses her administrative skills, collaboration, Microsoft Office, customer service, and organizational skills.
Fran
Leadership Development program - Global Ambassador
“It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Flava Fran! Autistic rapping Jew, overcomer, future homeless shelter founder, and Best Buddies Global Ambassador. I live in Dallas, Texas where I work at a preschool, thanks to the Best Buddies Jobs program and my jobs coach, Cheyenne. It is the most amazing job in the entire universe! I hope more people with disabilities will see it is possible to achieve their dream job, and that employers will give us a chance. My job brings so much light to my life and I hope to make your life brighter.”
Rubin
Inclusive Living program - Resident
Before joining Best Buddies Living: Miami in January 2024, Rubin lived with his grandmother, sisters, niece, and nephew. In his new home, Rubin has his own room and bathroom and shares a living and kitchen space. The apartment building is just blocks from the University of Miami, providing residents with access to the campus and all events through a partnership between the school and the program. Residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), like Rubin, are also taught independent living skills by an on-site residential manager.
Caroline Cardenas
Family Support Mentor
There is nothing quite like connecting with someone who knows what you’re going through. With all the blessings that our daughter’s IDD has brought our family, the only challenge we had was that there was no handbook on what to do. The support of other parents and families helped guide us, ease our worries, and connect us to whatever we needed. Eunie’s Buddies, helps bridge the gap for all parents so that you’ll never walk alone.
Timothy & Ryan
Friendship program participants
Ryan was introduced to Best Buddies as a freshman in high school. Throughout high school, he developed a deep appreciation for the Best Buddies mission and what it can do for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“I could not have known how much I would learn from students with IDD,” Ryan said. “They have made me more outgoing, and I now not only look after myself but after the new friendships I have made as well.”
Ian & Rohan
Friendship program participants
Before becoming involved with Best Buddies, Zach was not very socially active and did not participate in many extracurricular activities. After joining his high school Best Buddies chapter during freshman year, that all changed. Zach made tons of friends, went to parties, and even was named the Best Buddies Buddy Director at his school.
Hunter Huff
Leadership Development program - Global Ambassador
“Hello everyone!
My name is Hunter Huff, and I’ve been a proud member of Best Buddies for nine years. My life before joining this organization was very challenging. It was hard for me to make friends. I had issues socially connecting, and the only times I would interact with them were at lunch, school events, birthday parties and other social gatherings. One big reason I didn’t have many friends is that not everyone understood me and that I just happened to be on the Autism spectrum.
Allie Henley
Leadership Development program - Ambassadors
In the fall of 2021, Best Buddies Minnesota Ambassador Allie Henley presented the following speech at Minnesota’s 4th Annual Champion of the Year Gala:
Hello! My name is Allie Henley and I want to share with you a bit about myself and why Best Buddies means so much to me. My middle and high school years were hard. I remember being in high school and never getting a phone call to hang out. That made me so sad. I didn’t have many friends in middle school and in high school; I just wasn’t included in activities. I was in a different lunch than most of my friends, so I often sat alone. Think back to your middle and high school years and think about not having friends by your side. It was not fun to say the least.
Elaina
Jobs program - kubik
Elaina had long been searching for meaningful and inclusive employment in a role that would allow her to use her friendly personality and organizational skills. She landed an interview with kubik, an event management agency.
Upon entering the interview, it became immediately apparent that this would be an excellent place for her to work: kubik was passionate about Best Buddies’ mission and was excited to hire inclusively.
Zach Smith
Jobs program - NFL
Before becoming involved with Best Buddies, Zach was not very socially active and did not participate in many extracurricular activities. After joining his high school Best Buddies chapter during freshman year, that all changed. Zach made tons of friends, went to parties, and even was named the Best Buddies Buddy Director at his school.
Katie and Adyson
Friendship program participants
“Life before Best Buddies was definitely different. I didn’t have my best friend Katie in my life, that’s for sure! Katie and I have been matched for two years in the Riverside Intermediate and Junior High School Chapter where we have been buddy director and chapter president. Katie and I have a lot of fun together doing all kinds of activities. We make slime, have sleepovers, bake cakes, play video games, and go bowling just to name a few.
Angelica Allsup and Madison Snipe
Friendship program - Colleges
Angelica Allsup and Madison Snipe’s friendship demonstrates the true power of the Best Buddies Friendship program. They have been best buddies for more than two years and love to spend time together shopping, watching movies, traveling, and competing in beauty pageants. Angelica is the National Miss Amazing 2016 — a pageant that celebrates and empowers girls and women with disabilities. Madison and Angelica are also fierce advocates of the Spread of the Word to End the Word campaign that works to eliminate the use of the hurtful R-word in society.
Katie Cortelyou and Tiffany Krauss
Friendship program - Citizens
Katie: “I first joined Best Buddies with the College program. As I was getting older, I knew that I would age out of the College program. I found that Best Buddies is the gift that just keeps on giving and they were not going to let me down. In 2014, the Citizens program came to Indiana and I was matched with an “adult” buddy, who is outstanding. Tiffany Krauss is more than I could ever have imagined and she should be the “role model” for all Citizens Buddies. Tiffany is showing me how to rise to meet every opportunity and to always reach for the stars.”
Matt Burns and Evan Parker
Friendship program - Citizens
Since being matched in our Colleges program in 2010, through Best Buddies Indiana, Matt Burns and Evan Parker have built a bond that goes beyond friendship. From the moment they met, Matt and Evan made a connection that not only led them to becoming the best of friends, but helping each other grow as individuals.
Eric Matthes
Friendship program - e-Buddies
Leadership Development program - Ambassadors
“Hi, I’m Eric Matthes, and I live in Seattle. I have Down syndrome and I’m a self-advocate. That means I like to stand up for myself and make responsible choices in my own life. I chose to celebrate friendship with you and Best Buddies! That is MY responsible choice!
When I was in kindergarten, I found out that I had a disability. I was called “RETARDED.”
AnnCatherine
Inclusive Living program - Residents
AnnCatherine, also known as AC by her friends, joined the Best Buddies Living program in Georgetown in September 2022—a decision that would shape her future in ways she never imagined.
AC’s story serves as a testament to the profound impact of our Best Buddies Living program and showcases the power of friendship, independence, and a supportive community.
Tsukasa Richard Nakai
Leadership Development program - Ambassadors
“My name is Tsukasa Richard Nakai. I am 33-years-old and I am an avid Star Wars fan! My favorite character is Darth Vader. I’m currently involved in the Best Buddies Friendship Program, Ambassador Program and the Jobs Program. I’ve been part of the Best Buddies chapter at UCLA since February 2017 and I am currently their Buddy Director. I’ve been an ambassador since March 2017, and through the Jobs Program, I now work as a part-time employee in the Best Buddies California State Office as an administrative assistant…I love it!
Jack Mayor
Leadership Development program - Ambassadors
“Hello everyone! My name is Jack Mayor. I’m 17 and a soon-to-be senior at Neuqua Valley High School in Illinois. I became an Ambassador for Best Buddies last year and I am loving every single second of it and I will tell you why. Before I share my story about Best Buddies with you, I want to share some things about myself. One in 68 kids are diagnosed with autism and it affects one in 42 boys. I am one of those 42 boys. I was diagnosed with autism at the age of six. Life with autism is a daily struggle.
Christina Hundley
Leadership Development program - Ambassadors
Hello, everyone! My name is Christina Hundley and I am a Best Buddies Global Ambassador and participant at the University of South Florida (USF). I gained my independence after joining Best Buddies, which helped me gain friends too.
I was born at Tampa General Hospital in 1983; I was raised by my aunt, BJ, in Florida after my parents dropped me off at my grandmother’s house and never came back. School was hard for me.
Daniel Noltemeyer
Leadership Development program - Ambassadors
“Best Buddies has helped me build my confidence as a leader and become and advocate for myself and others with disabilities. I have learned public speaking and leadership skills, and now I help teach public speaking and advocacy to people like me. It has been a powerful experience to be a leader for my peers. I have built my self-confidence, independence, and grown as a person. Best Buddies inspires me to be the best I can be and has made me the leader I am today.”
Charles Calhoun
Leadership Development program - Ambassadors
“My name is Charles Calhoun III, and I am a Best Buddies Global Ambassador. As a Best Buddies Global Ambassador, I have spoken in front of former Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and traveled around the United States to speak at various national Best Buddies events. I am also employed with Silicon Valley Bank, and in my spare time, I love to play the drums, write songs and hang out with my friends. I am diagnosed with Williams syndrome, autism, and ADHD. Growing up, I remember the hurtful names people would call me, like retarded.”
Terence McKnight
Jobs program - Gannett
Terence began working for Gannett in July 2004 as a Finance/Accounting Clerk in the Finance Department.
He learned the value of both kindness and hard work at an early age, with his mother influencing his positive, kind demeanor and his father, a decorated naval officer, helping to instill his strong work ethic. Terence remains close to his parents and is thankful for their ongoing support, whether it is driving him to and from work or encouraging him when he sets new goals.
Untwon Jones
Jobs program - Natixis Global Asset Management
Meet Untwon, an Office Assistant at Natixis Global Asset Management. He is responsible for stocking the printers, cleaning and organizing conference rooms, and re-stocking supplies. He shows up to work early every day and completes all of his responsibilities in a timely manner. Just as importantly, Untwon has built a great relationship with his co-workers at Natixis and is a vital member of their team. He has had great success in his position with Natixis and truly shows what we are all capable of if given a chance to succeed.
Billy O'Brien
Jobs program - Eaton Vance
Billy O’Brien began working with Best Buddies in September 2010 after being unemployed, and acquired a position working as an Office Services Assistant through the Best Buddies Jobs program with Eaton Vance Investment Managers in October 2010. Since starting at Eaton Vance, Billy has grown from working part-time (25 hours per week) to working full-time (40 hours per week). He also enjoys employee benefits including health insurance, a 401K and profit sharing. The progression that Billy has achieved at Eaton Vance has been extraordinary.