Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion.
Integrated
Employment
Secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and support themselves.
Leadership Development
Educates and empowers people with and without IDD, to be leaders, public speakers and advocates.
Inclusive
Living
“Picture your best friend. Now imagine your life without that person. For people with developmental disabilities, the laughter and excitement of a best friend is only a dream. Best Buddies is a lifeline to the joy of having and being a friend.”
“When a Best Buddies participant joins a local Jersey Mike’s team, they become part of our family and the community we serve. Hiring people with special abilities will truly change the culture of your company, as it did with Jersey Mike’s.”
“Best Buddies is an organization that is incredibly close to my heart. Our buddies have the most loving, genuine spirits and always help me appreciate what really matters in life — our family and our friends.”
How You Can Help
A Global Volunteer Movement
Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 chapters worldwide, positively impacting the lives of over 1.3 million people with and without IDD. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 46 countries around the world
