Best Buddies
About the Organization:
Best Buddies®, an OK-Approved Charity, enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providingopportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989, Best Buddies aims to establish meaningful, lasting one-to-one friendships that help increase self-esteem, confidence and the abilities of people with and without intellectual disabilities. From one original chapter, Best Buddies has grown to encompass more than 1,300 middle school, high school, and college campuses across the country and internationally.
Best Buddies has middle, high school and college chapters throughout Louisiana, but its program in New Orleans was seriously disrupted by Katrina. Many buddies were forced to move or change schools, and lost their partners. Chapters were significantly affected.
Approved Project:
Buddy Recruiting and Chapter Development
Project Description and Status:
Best Buddies will use funding from Operation Kids to recruit and train volunteer buddies in the New Orleans area, hoping to establish 10 new chapters at the middle school and high school levels. It also aims to expand its growing e-Buddies® program. Best Buddies will launch its recruiting efforts in Spring 2008 in preparation for the 2007-2008 school year.
Project Cost:
$78,000
Funds Still Needed:
$35,000
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Best Buddies chapter members at Grace King High School in New Orleans get together for many group activities as well as doing things with just their partner buddies. The school has an active and growing Best Buddies chapter. |
Best Buddies creates immediate results and lifelong memories for all its participants. The program was greatly affected by the dislocation and confusion caused by Katrina. With funding from Operation Kids, the organization hopes to create several new Best Buddies chapters in New Orleans by the end of the year. |
