non-profit spotlight By: Angela Arlington
IN IN D I A N A Best Buddies Indiana is a local chapter of Best Buddies International, which has changed lives in 54 countries around the globe. “Our programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded,” said Mark Lantz, Deputy Director of Programs and Operations at Best Buddies Indiana. “Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences and activities that many other individuals enjoy.”
46 Special Needs Living • March 2022
One on One Friendships:
Best Buddies builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion. One-to-one friendship happens at our school chapters and through our adult friendship program, Best Buddies Citizens. A participant with IDD is paired with a person without IDD based on location and shared interests for at least one year of friendship. For school programs, matches typically start at the beginning of the school year. Then, buddies participate in activities and spend quality in-person time together at least twice a month for buddy pairs of all ages. Best Buddies offices and chapters plan events,
