Best Buddies PSA
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 and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
One-To-One Friendships
Best Buddies International is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs help people with IDD form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.
Best Buddies Jobs
Best Buddies Jobs represents one of our organization’s three pillars, Integrated Employment. This program fosters the integration of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) into the community through supported employment.
The program also assists individuals to locate and maintain jobs of their own choosing, by providing ongoing support and training. Our focus is on developing competitive, integrated jobs, which allow individuals to earn an income, pay taxes, and work in an environment alongside others in the community. Best Buddies Jobs matches skilled and qualified individuals with IDD with businesses who are searching for enthusiastic and dedicated employees.
Best Buddies Living
The Best Buddies Living program represents one of our organization’s four key mission pillars, Inclusive Living. This program fosters an integrated experience for people with and without IDD to become active, contributing citizens who live independently in a dynamic environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.
Best Buddies Jobs: Illinois
For National Disability Employee Awareness Month, employer partner, JLL, held an event at their Chicago headquarters to celebrate their company’s growing partnership with Best Buddies. JLL is immensely proud of their integrated workforce as a result of partnering with Best Buddies.
Best Buddies Jobs: New York
Best Buddies New York held its annual fundraiser on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, highlighting the Jobs program which began as a pilot in early 2015. Since then, we have had 7 successful job placements at the National Basketball Association (NBA), Central Park Conservancy, GreenGale Publishing, and Holland & Knight.
Richard Cohen, President of Capital Properties, recently made a generous contribution towards the official launch of the #BestBuddiesJobs program in New York. A huge thank you to Capital Properties for being an instrumental part of bringing diversity to the workplace in The Empire State. We are excited to continue growing our Jobs program in New York with the help of our employer partners!
Best Buddies Leadership Conference
Over the past 30 years the Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) has inspired thousands of leaders to be Best Buddies advocates and to bring about social change in their communities. BBLC is a once in a lifetime experience that unites Best Buddies leaders, volunteers, and community advocates from around the globe. Conference attendees will gain knowledge in order to take effective action both individually and as part of a group for a common cause, while discovering the importance of their actions, responsibilities, and energy.
Learn more at bestbuddies.org/bblc.