Year in Review Best
Buddies in New Jersey
JuliaandAlexis New JerseyBuddyPair
JuliaandAlexis New JerseyBuddyPair
Message From Our State Director
Dear Friends, All of us at Best Buddies in New Jersey extend our deepest appreciation to our wonderful participants, families, volunteers, donors, and corporate partners for such a successful 2022! Your support and dedication to our mission helps our programs grow, creating more inclusive communities throughout our state and beyond. Here’s to continued growth in 2023!
In Friendship, Matthew Fernandes New Jersey State Director
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2022
Here’s what we’ve accomplished in
4 One-to-One Friendship Program 24 TOTALCHAPTERS 1 Elementary Schools 2 Middle Schools 14 High Schools 6 Colleges 3 Citizens 845 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS 80% CHAPTERS WITH ENGAGED AND INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP
Meet Julia & Alexis
“Imagine meeting someone and discovering that they love the same things you do and inspire you to try even harder. That's what my best buddy Alexis has done for me. I see her often, and talk to her all the time, which is great. The main thing that we have in common is that we are both singers. I saw her perform and she was amazing!” -JULIA
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MORRISS
6
Employment Program 11 PARTICIPANTS IN JOB DEVELOPMENT 20 EMPLOYED PARTICIPANTS
Integrated
Meet Todd
Buddies’ Jobs Program was a major benefit for me because of the skills they gave me through job searching and interviewing, and I can’t thank them enough for helping me land the job."
-TODD ABEDRABBO
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"Best
8 $90,000 Thank you to all our participants, corporate partners and community members who fundraised and walked for inclusion! Raised over
In July, over 60 leaders from all over New Jersey, both with and without IDD, attended our Annual Best BuddiesLeadership Conferenceat The College of New Jersey! They participated in personalized trainings that develop the skills needed to organize and lead a Best Buddies chapter.
BESTBUDDIES
In October, Best Buddies New Jersey hosted our second annual DEI Summit, a virtual educational event to highlightthe importance of disability inclusion within existing DEI efforts by facilitating a discussion with expert panelists who share best practices, avoiding pitfalls, and other insights.
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Over 250 supporters came together for our first-ever Party for a Purpose in Princeton and our annual Gala. We celebrated the collective efforts of our Champions who raised funds and awareness to support our mission!
Raised $250,000
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