How One Organization is Transforming Lives Through Friendship and Inclusion
From childhood lifelong companions to friends made later in life, whether in college, the workplace, or church, more than likely, anyone known as a “best buddy” has undoubtedly made a significant impact. Everyone deserves authentic friendships and relationships in life, and at the end of the day, when we look back at it all, love is all that matters. Friendship, inclusivity, and being supported in making the most of opportunities given are all aspects of life we should all be afforded regardless of any differences we may have, and one local chapter of a national nonprofit is making sure individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can do just that.
A Truly Unique Organization
Best Buddies International is committed to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation faced by the 200 million people worldwide with IDD, making it the largest organization of its kind. In doing so, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization works to foster one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development programs, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with IDD. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X syndrome, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities.
Best Buddies’ tailored programs empower individuals with IDD to form meaningful friendships, secure employment, enhance communication and advocacy skills, live independently, and support their families.
While the Best Buddies headquarters is based in Miami, Florida, there are regional offices in all 50 states and 47 countries…and the organization is still growing strong. In Texas, three regional offices are located in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and Houston.
Tracy Churchman serves as the Best Buddies Development Director for North Texas, which, in her words, means, “I get to raise the funds needed for all of our free programs!” she explains. “Best Buddies is unique because we provide access to opportunities that people with an IDD might not otherwise be given. We are the only organization that empowers people of all abilities to succeed from birth through adulthood. Best Buddies envisions a world where people with IDD are so successfully integrated into schools, workplaces, and communities that its current efforts and services will be unnecessary.”
The Best Buddies Texas staff prides themselves on how robust the programs are and who is deemed an ally for inclusion. “It takes a special individual or organization to link arms with us and push for inclusive rights here in Texas.” Ms. Churchman adds.
Best Buddies Friendship Programs
Through the various programs offered by the organization, participants with IDD form meaningful, unique connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities. As a result of those peer connections and relationships, people with IDD are empowered to secure jobs, be leaders, public speakers and advocates, and flourish in vibrant, integrated living for people with and without IDD.
The organization has greatly impacted Ms. Churchman’s family over the years. “I was first introduced to the Best Buddies Friendship program when my son, who is blessed with Down syndrome, was in elementary school. He is now in his early twenties and still regularly hangs out with his (neurotypical) Buddies he made in the fourth grade. Since his introduction to the organization, he has been a part of the Jobs and Leadership programs we offer in Texas!” she shares.
Unfortunately, school-aged individuals with IDD can be left out of social activities, but Best Buddies Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Collegiate programs help create inclusive school cultures starting early in a child’s educational development and later provide the tools and resources needed for them to overcome common social barriers and get involved on their local campus and in community life.
Ms. Churchman shares, “Our partnership with the Frisco ISD is unparalleled in its scope. So many families move to Frisco because of the district’s reputation for forward-thinking, future-ready education for the general population of students, but especially for those students who receive special education services. In fact, it’s why my family moved here more than a decade ago! Being ‘future-ready’ means students of today who become the hiring managers of tomorrow hire people with an IDD because they see them for their abilities rather than their disabilities. Being different is a superpower, and today’s students recognize that!”
Best Buddies school chapters for students and teachers are pivotal for the upcoming start of another school year. Ms. Churchman says, “Imagine walking into a school for the first time not knowing anyone, not having one single friend. Or imagine walking into school on the first day of your senior year and not having a single friend. That’s where Best Buddies comes in. We pair students with an IDD with a neurotypical friend who has similar interests. During the school year, there are numerous school chapter events, as well as Best Buddies-hosted events, all culminating at the Friendship Walk in the spring. Here, we have a big party to celebrate all of the friendships forged during the school year.”
The Best Buddies Citizens program fosters friendships between adults with and without IDD within corporate and civic communities. Since people with IDD have limited opportunities for a social life after they get out of school, this thoughtful program helps them become part of mainstream society and fosters an inclusive and diverse community for all. In addition to these unprecedented friendship-based programs, the popular e-Buddies program helps those with and without IDD develop friendships online and create real connections using technology. Members connect through a social platform designed for virtual social events.
Best Buddies Integrated Employment Program
The Best Buddies Jobs program secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and continuously and independently support themselves. Skilled and qualified participants are matched with businesses looking to hire these enthusiastic and dedicated employees. The Jobs program focuses on finding work that matches a job seeker’s own interests and talents. Best Buddies can connect participants with resources and contacts and provide essential support and resources throughout employment. Both interested employers and participants can fill out an application online.
Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs
Best Buddies Leadership Development programs educate and empower participants with and without IDD to become successful leaders, public speakers, and advocates to lead the effort to build an inclusive world for people with IDD. The Ambassadors program offers people with and without IDD a way to gain public speaking skills and experience, self-esteem, and confidence.
By organizing special events that promote awareness of the disability rights movement, the Best Buddies Promoters program empowers youth to advocate for people with IDD and open new Best Buddies chapters and programs, while the Best Buddies Transitions program combines classroom-based training, experiential learning, and corporate mentorship to help students with IDD explore post-secondary options, prepare for independent living, and identify career ambitions.
Best Buddies Inclusive Living Program
The Best Buddies Living program (for ages 18+) fosters an integrated experience for participants who are ready to live independently to become active, contributing citizens living independently in a dynamic environment to learn, grow, and thrive. Best Buddies team members help support residents who enjoy weekly group meals and activities, maintain employment or attend a higher education program, and support fellow residents when needed. Residents attend college games, fitness classes, cultural events, holiday parties, volunteer opportunities, and sports activities with student peers.
Residents attend college games, fitness classes, cultural events, holiday parties, volunteer opportunities, and sports activities with student peers. Other areas of personal growth include focusing on money management, independent living skills, healthy relationships, and health and wellness.
Best Buddies Family Support Program
Best Buddies Family Support offers families the critical and unique levels of support needed while raising a child with IDD. Eunie’s Buddies is the pioneering program within the Family Support initiative, named in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics who advocated for change in the lives of those living with IDD. Eunie’s Buddies pairs experienced parents of a child with an IDD with new parents who are expecting, just welcomed a baby, or are raising a child who has been recently diagnosed with an IDD. These mentor-mentee connections and friendships provide caregivers with encouragement, emotional support, and resources.
Ms. Churchman says, “Best Buddies provides friendship, inclusive employment, independent living, leadership skills, and support for parents and caregivers. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a uniquely bound community that will always have your back, no matter the circumstance. I like to say at the end of the day, it always comes back to friendship. Everyone needs a friend. It’s a basic human need!”
Ms. Churchman shares, “To say I am passionate about Best Buddies is an understatement. To be able to work for the organization that has single-handedly made this most significant impact on my son’s life is a dream come true. I want other families like mine to be able to have the same experiences and be offered the same opportunities my son has had with Best Buddies.”
How You Can Help
Those looking to support the organization can make a monthly gift to Best Buddies and join The Bridge – a community of supporters who selflessly invest to bridge gaps between people with and without IDD.
Ms. Churchman shares, “The easiest and most impactful way to get involved is to become a friend. Right now, we have more than 40 adult friendship participants in Dallas/Fort Worth who are looking for a friend. Other ways to get involved are to host a disability training for you and your coworkers, become one of our inclusive employment partners, spread the greatness that is Best Buddies as an Ambassador, attend one of our two signature fundraising events, or simply donate to fund our free programs. Our two signature fundraising events are open to anyone in the community – the Friendship Walk in the spring and the Champion of the Year Gala in the fall.”
“As a parent, it is paramount that I share this life-changing program with other families like mine. Being a parent of someone with an IDD can be scary and isolating. I don’t want others to feel that way. It’s my mission to share the inclusive programs that Best Buddies offers with as many people as I can. Everyone needs a friend – between ages 0-99, with or without a disability, parent, sibling, caregiver, and everyone in between. It always comes back to being a friend,” Ms. Churchman shares.
Linda Kordek Milton, the Best Buddies State Director, shares, “Best Buddies is so grateful to have such a passionate parent and advocate as part of our team. Tracy has brought so many of her relationships in the Frisco community to Best Buddies, allowing us to expand and reach the second ‘F’ in DFFW. Frisco is a vibrant community that listens to and empowers residents to be at the forefront of critical issues like inclusion and advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Intellectual and developmental disabilities look different in different cultures. Frisco has a large Asian population, and with gratitude for funding from the Orchid Giving Circle, we have a bridge to Asian families to help them look at disabilities from a different perspective.”
With so many incredible opportunities to be involved in the lives of such a special population of people, Best Buddies welcomes volunteers and donations. Follow their website for updated volunteer, event, and participation information. Go to bestbuddies.org today to get all of the information you need to get started.
