A special thank you to our friends at Johnson and Johnson for their generous sponsorship that will assist the development of our one-to-one friendship chapters, integrated and meaningful employment initiatives, along our leadership development. Johnson and Johnson are committed on a fundamental level to supporting the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiative. One great example of their commitment is their employee resource group "Alliance For Diverse Abilities." This group dedicates itself to better serve the company through its active efforts to foster a culture of inclusion by hosting lunch & learns, speaker series, and giving back to local communities.
Dear Friends Welcome to the 5th annual Best Buddies New Jersey Champion of the Year Gala. It is my honor and pleasure to welcome you all back to this special event. Last year when our event was virtual, we missed the excitement and joy that we experience when we share in a night of friendship and fun. During the past year, amidst all the struggles that COVID brought, we are proud to say that Best Buddies New Jersey grew. We saw 33 school-based Friendship chapters flourish with another 19 ready to get started. We held another successful Best Buddies Summer Internship Program and expanded it to a year-round program in partnership with The College of New Jersey. We held our Inaugural DEI Summit and launched our Certified Inclusive Workplace program. We added two new staff members to the Best Buddies New Jersey team, Jessica and Sarah, with another set to start this month. Make sure you say hi to them this evening.
A special “thank you” to our amazing Advisory Board members, Sponsors, Champions and Volunteers who have created tonight’s experience. When we all share our unique talents and resources the possibilities are limitless. Look around the room while you read this message. All the guests here with you tonight share you goal, to support Best Buddies and continue its mission of creating a more inclusive world. I am glad you are here; I look forward to meeting each and every one of you and I am grateful for your support.
Matthew Fernandes New Jersey State Director
Nanci Valente
Ami Lad
Robin Friedman
Amy Sikanowicz
The Value of Your Donation Supports Best Buddies helps form meaningful friendships, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communications skills, all while feeling valued by society.
$5,000 Provides meaningful internship opportunities for 10 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and ensure their time and hard work is paid for. During these internships participants will the opportunity to have a meaningful work experiences at community-based employers
$2,500
Our Best Buddies School Friendship program provides one-to-one friendships within the school system, promotes inclusion and combats the issues of bullying like Bret previously faced. In 2022, we strive to open 4 new chapters, creating 80 new friendships.
$1,000
Leadership conference brings together over 2,000 student leaders and ambassadors who want to bring about social change in their communities. This once in a lifetime experience unites Best Buddies leaders, volunteers, and community advocates from around the world to gain knowledge on how to effectively take action for our global volunteer movement.
$500
Our Ambassador trainings offer people with and without IDD the opportunity to gain the public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to successfully advocate for themselves, their peers and Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government. Best Buddies passionately believes that its program participants can lead the effort within their community and beyond to build a more inclusive world for people with IDD. This supports one Ambassador Training for 15 leaders.
$250
Local Leadership Training Day provides the training, tools, and resources for our student leaders to have a successful year within their Best Buddies program. Provides chapter leaders in 20 schools the tools to grow the mission of inclusion.
Amy Sikanowicz
Brooke Sellas
Bret Fleming
Chris Weidman
Dawy Aly Ahmed
Greg Dillon
Jenna Rosa
John Berardi
Matthew Fernandes
Ray Brady
Tim Rohrer
Zach Zoccoli
Johnson and Johnson
Komodo Health
We will hear some songs sung by our Global Ambassador, Bret Fleming. Along with Best Buddies Jobs awards presented by Todd Aberaddo and some words from Laura Parrell.
Register: Text BBNJ21 to (76278) Donate: Text the word GIVE and amount (dollar sign not required) to (76278)