Best Buddies at UCR

Best Buddies was born in the fall of 1987, when Founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver observed the lack of opportunity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to socialize with their peers without IDD. He recognized the power of one-to-one friendship to develop their self-esteem, improve their outlook on life, and increase their integration in society. A college student himself at Georgetown University, Shriver knew that his peers had the energy and commitment to positively transform their communities. His inspiration to bring both groups together created the Best Buddies concept. The college program provides an opportunity for college students to be matched in a one-to-one friendship with individuals who have IDD. Social experiences and relationships are a part of life; unfortunately, individuals with IDD have historically been excluded from many of the social opportunities that most people enjoy. The Best Buddies College program works to expand these opportunities through community involvement and friendship, offering people with IDD the chance to explore life in a new way. There are Best Buddies chapters like ours at other colleges and universities all over the country, all of which are part of Best Buddies International. As students, we are in a unique position to make a real change in our community by joining this growing movement of volunteers. You are not just committing to a club, but to a person. There are 9.3 million people with intellectual disabilities in the U.S. who have traditionally been segregated from society. Each pair commits to keep in touch at least once a week through phone calls, emails, or seeing each other at school. Buddy Pairs get together on their time and socialize twice a month. They also agree to attend Best Buddies meetings, activities, and fundraisers. Through participation in Best Buddies, people with and without disabilities are given the chance to explore new friendships and widen their social circles. Best Bu

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