Best Buddies

Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families (Best Buddies International). At Best Buddies of Kutztown University, we host meetings on-campus where the college students and their buddies can bond, do activities together, and deepen their friendships.

Activities include crafts, game nights, dance parties, and much much more! We also attend local, regional, and national Best Buddies events to learn more about the organization, how to best serve those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and meet other members of this wonderful organization from around the world. In addition, we try to hold off-campus events for both buddies and college students. It is crucial for adults with special needs to be integrated into the community in various formats where they can learn basic communication skills with unfamiliar faces. What better way to experience that than with their best buddy!

This organization is an integral part of our college students' and buddies' lives alike. Our college students have said "I love best buddies because this club makes everyone feel loved, seen, and appreciated" and "I look forward to our meetings every month where I get to hear about all the fun things my buddy has done." Our buddies say that they like Best Buddies because "I like to meet new friends," "it makes me happy," "having a buddy makes me feel good and they are my best friends," and "it makes me feel very excited, you just can't explain the feeling...BREATHTAKING!".

Your generous donation would allow us to travel to regional, state-wide, and national Best Buddies events, plan more local off-campus activities, and plan and buy the necessary materials for events on-campus. We are eternally grateful for your consideration in donating and contributing to our chapter of Best Buddies.