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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
John Foster and Patrick Saathoff
Friendship program - High Schools
John has been a part of Best Buddies since 2011. He is a part of the Bishop Moore School Friendships program. John loves Best Buddies and spending time with his buddy, Patrick. Patrick and John have been matched for the past three years that John has been a part of the chapter. Patrick and John spend quality time together outside of school at sporting events, going to lunch, and driving around town. There is a clear unconditional bond between the two boys. “Best Buddies has allowed the students to learn how to be honest in a friendship.
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.”
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.
Kevin Joyce
Jobs program - Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
It took Kevin a while to find a job that was the right fit. As he tells it, he spent years “working with other job agencies in efforts to find a good job, which came with a lot of frustration and [few] results.” Kevin experienced firsthand what we already know: that many of the jobs in today’s workforce are either inaccessible to, or limiting for, individuals with disabilities. He needed a workplace that would not only set clear expectations for him, but also help him find opportunities for growth. Kevin found that in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
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.