The Best Buddies Friendship Walk is the leading walk in the country supporting inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (also known as IDD).

Since 2009, more than 150,000 participants in 60 cities have walked to raise awareness for inclusion, friendship, leadership development, and integrated job opportunities for people with IDD. Funds raised at the walks help move our mission forward by funding local Best Buddies programs. Each walk provides a unique opportunity to see our mission in action at a local level. Every dollar raised goes towards making the world a more inclusive, accepting place.

One-to-One Friendship

“Hi! My name is Joshua Mendoza, and I am the Buddy Director at Lahainaluna High School in Maui, Hawaii. My Buddy is Markus-Alan Bettencourt. We were paired together at the start of the school year, since we like some of the same things, like basketball, and since then, he has become one of my best friends. In March, my school chapter hosted the annual island-wide dance where I was surprised to learn that I was chosen as the recipient of a pay-it-forward graduation party, which was started by a local couple and their son for buddies on Maui. The Maui News covered the announcement on the front page of the paper, and since then, people all over Maui have come up to me to say congratulations!

Since joining Best Buddies, I have become much more outgoing. My mom, Joanne, said that since we moved to Hawaii and found Best Buddies I really came out of my shell, not just in school, but everywhere. I was diagnosed with autism at the age of three, and social anxiety is an everyday challenge for me. I have a service dog that joins me in most places outside of school.

Thanks to Best Buddies, I feel confident and happy at school on my own.

My mom and dad said that seeing me approach friends in public was a major milestone and a big reason why we moved to Maui. Living on a small, family-oriented island, known as Ohana in Hawaii, and the kind community at Lahainaluna High School has helped me feel so confident in life.

Markus-Alan and I have done a lot of great activities together over this past school year. Along with the monthly Best Buddies events at school, we also volunteered together at the 2017 Best Buddies Life Is Sweet fundraiser in Wailea, Hawaii, where we worked with chefs to prepare and present gourmet desserts to guests, as well as attending the ALEX AND ANI Maui fundraiser, and hanging out together after school.

Thank you Best Buddies Maui for the opportunity to be a Buddy Director at my school and for helping find my best friend. It is so awesome to get to join the officers in their meetings and help make decisions for our chapter.”

Leadership Development

“It is hard to think back to a time when I felt so alone and had no friends. Best Buddies has given me the opportunity to come out of my shell and meet people and have friends. It was scary, but I am so glad I did it and stuck with it because I feel so much better. I am a Buddy Ambassador and Buddy Director at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College Chapter. I have been with the program for two years. I like to help everyone come up with ideas for chapter events. My favorite thing is that in whatever we do, I can hang out with my buddy Stephanie Yokoyama.

I have grown a lot as an Ambassador over the past year. I volunteer at every Best Buddies event, like the Friendship Jam and the Friendship Walk. I have attended several trainings and my goal is to continue to help Best Buddies in any way I can.

I am a very strong advocate. I shared my story at the Friendship Walk. I also testified before the Honolulu City Council for a big grant and also testified for a rant In Aid.

My experience has made me happier and more outgoing.”

Leadership Development

“My name is Tim Rosario and I am from Somerset. I joined Best Buddies at Somerset Berkeley High School in 2017. I am a Buddy Director for my high school chapter and a Best Buddies Ambassador. Best Buddies has changed my life completely.

I now have lots of friends between school and my college program. I am a very confident, social, and athletic person who likes to communicate by talking on the phone, posting things to Facebook, and proving my independence to others.

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) and participate in the Friendship Walk. I was nervous to attend this event but my Program Manager, Pam, pulled me aside and calmed me down. After that pep talk, I had lots of fun and enjoyed my experience there. While at BBLC, I met so many wonderful people and they all made me feel very comfortable.

As an Ambassador I want to educate my peers about Best Buddies so that they have the opportunity to join this organization and do what I am doing today. During BBLC, there was a speech presented by Best Buddies Ambassador by Jack Mayor that changed my life forever. I don’t want to see anyone with autism feel the way Jack did before he joined Best Buddies. I want to bring others to Best Buddies so that it can change their lives too.

Joining Best Buddies can help you form meaningful friendships and secure a great job that you love and enjoy. My peer buddy Zoe and I meet once a month and she’s always reaching out to me to do fun things. She is busy with school but we try to meet at least once a month to go out to eat or to watch a movie together. It feels good to be friends with her.

I didn’t know about Best Buddies until last year. Since then, I’ve had the chance to attend Leadership Conference, participate in the Friendship Walk, and to receive a signed Tom Brady football. I have a true love in my heart for Best Buddies. This organization has changed my life for the better and I think everyone should consider joining Best Buddies because it will change your life too.”

One-to-One Friendship

Shane and Gus started to form their friendship in April 2016 when Best Buddies was introduced to their high school. Gus’ parents were serving as the Friendship Walk Chairs and the students at Eureka High School, where Gus and Shane attend, were excited to become the newest High School Friendship Chapter. Both Shane and Gus had known of each other prior to Best Buddies, but it was not until they joined their chapter that they really got to know each other.

Over the months of May and June the two had begun to form a strong bond. Gus’s mom shared he was noticeably more active and took pride in having a new friend. In July both Shane and Gus attended the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference where they truly discovered how important their friendship was to each of them.

They really enjoy playing video games, going out to eat and catching up at the Friday night football games in the Fall and just being friends.

“Before I met Gus weekends usually consisted of a lot of sleep and homework, but now I get to hang out with him every Sunday,” said Shane. “This helps me look forward to last day of the weekend before we head back to school on Monday. We also see each other at school and try to hang out during the day either between classes or at lunch. And now we know each other’s friends which is really cool too.

Gus teaches me something new every time we hang out, either about him or myself. He has taught me many valuable lessons in life, especially to never let anyone else’s opinions limit me and that being my own self is awesome.”

“He is a real friend.” Gus shared.

Shane and Gus continue to not only build their bonds of friendship, but are leaders for their chapter and community.

Leadership Development

“Being a part of Best Buddies is giving me a chance to get to know and become friends with a lot of new people. I am a leader for my chapter and help others learn how they can be leaders for Best Buddies, too.

I serve as the Buddy Director for the Chapter at Maryville University, and am on the Advisory Board. Being a leader is important and so is being a good friend. I try to help other people like me get involved with my chapter and make new friends. When I see someone alone I always try to include them, especially when they are new to my chapter.

Best Buddies is like a family to me. My friends have helped me believe in myself and show people all of the amazing things I am really good at like being a DJ, break dancing and talking to groups about Best Buddies. The young kids always ask questions and really like when I talk with them. I also like to make them laugh and am helping them be more understanding of people who are different than them.

Since being a part of Best Buddies in 2016 it has helped me learn how to overcome challenges, especially on how to sharing my feelings with others in a positive way.

My abilities are what makes me special and my friends at Best Buddies help me dream higher and reach for my goals.”

One-to-One Friendship

Written by Ava Lemke: If you imagine the purest, most beautiful thing you could see, that’s Tatyana Spidell to me. We’ve been matched since fall of 2017. She’s a ray of sunshine that on many occasions has turned the worst days completely around. Because of her Angelman Sydrome, she is nonverbal and unable to walk. However, our actions convey more meaning than words could. For instance, at the Best Buddies golf event last May, I could tell she was having the time of her life because her smile was never-ending and she even borrowed a golfer’s hat! We are alike in many ways — we love to laugh uncontrollably, have a genuine love for moving around, and of course, are big fans of smiling. In my opinion, she’s the best buddy a girl could have.

Not only has Tatyana given my life joy, but the Spidells never fail to make me a part of their family. Whether it’s going to the sensory performance of the Milwaukee Ballet’s The Nutcracker, which showed me how the different needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can be met; attending the annual Angelman Syndrome Walk, where I saw the immense amount of love and support families offer; dancing the night away at our school’s winter formal so we both could feel like a princess; or even swinging around at Kayla’s Playground and jamming out to spicy Latino music; I always feel like part of the family. Seemingly, it’s us against the world. I think what made these activities amazing is sharing them with Tatyana. Dancing with her, I felt I was her legs. Walking for her syndrome, I felt I was her voice advocating, educating and bringing awareness to a lesser-known disability.

Upon joining Best Buddies, I figured I’d be making a difference in someone else’s life, but little did I know I’d be matched with someone who would make such a profound difference in mine. I believe with all my being that disabilities do not define an individual. There are countless layers within a person and one title cannot cover them all. I’ve learned how small acts leave memories that last a lifetime and how a person can light up a room with a smile. I’ve learned how much you can understand a person while saying nothing. I’ve gathered life can be incredibly unfair, but you must roll with the punches and an incredible outcome will result. Most importantly, I’ve learned the happiness French fries can bring.

One-to-One Friendship

Madison and Thomas have been matched for six years since joining Best Buddies in seventh grade at Clark-Pleasant Middle School; now they are seniors at Whiteland Community High School. They enjoy going out to eat, swimming and Rascal’s fun zone. During breaks from school, they’ll go over to each other’s houses and at school have lunch together every day. Since joining, they have attended the Best Buddies Friendship Ball and walked together, with Madison’s family, in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk. The past two years, they have also gone to the Tim Tebow Night to Shine proms together.

Thomas has his own phone, so he frequently calls and texts Madison. “If I ever miss a day of school Thomas will call me to make sure I am not sick – so sweet,” said Madison. Thomas enjoys supporting Madison at their school’s soccer games where she plays on the varsity team; he calls himself her biggest fan.

Our friendship is very special to both of us, we both have our problems and insecurities but as a pair we are able to ignore those and accept each other.

For Madison, joining Best Buddies in middle school was the best decision she has made; meeting Thomas has had a huge impact on the person she is today, has made her more open-minded, and changed her life for the better. “Our friendship is unique because we are not just best buddies, we are friends. We don’t hang out because we have to we hang out because we want to. I know that Thomas and I will always be friends even when we are not best buddies. We are a family now,” she said.

Mary, Thomas’ mother says: “We are truly blessed and honored to have Madi in Thomas’ life. I’m not sure what next year will bring with Madi going off to college, but I have no doubt that their friendship will last a lifetime. Madi is a special person and she is one of a kind. She has taught Thomas so much, as well as, our family. That there are still good people in this world and there can be lasting, lifelong friendships with typical peers. If only there were more Madis in the world we would all be better off for it.”

“This year Thomas and I got special permission to sit next to each other during graduation and we are super excited to have been able to start high school together and now end it together,” Madison continued, “I know that going to college is going to be hard for me because I won’t see Thomas every day, but I know our friendship will last a lifetime. As Thomas always says, ‘Madi and I are best friends forever.'”

Leadership Development

Before becoming involved in Best Buddies, I had an unfulfilled passion within me to advocate for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A close friend throughout grade school was diagnosed with IDD and to me, it was just another friendship. I failed to recognize the isolation that many individuals with IDD face and their reliance on these friendships for more than peer connection, but also for a stronger sense of advocacy.

I am currently an officer for Divine Savior Holy Angels’ Best Buddies promoter chapter and have been a member of the club since freshman year. It wasn’t until I attended Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) that I was truly motivated to fulfill this role. Prior to BBLC, I did not understand the value a promoter chapter plays in advocating for those with IDD. Hearing individuals with IDD speak about their experiences and explain how their lives have changed with Best Buddies transformed the way that I interpret the mission of the club. I realized that Best Buddies is about so much more than giving individuals with IDD a friendship – Best Buddies is about giving individuals with IDD a voice. Following this experience, I returned to our chapter with the intent of fulfilling this mission of giving those with IDD a voice as a prominent promoter for inclusion.

Since joining Best Buddies in September of 2015, the passion within me to advocate for those with IDD has been fulfilled. Best Buddies has not, however, fulfilled this desire in the exact way that I had anticipated. Through my experience with Best Buddies, and particularly at BBLC, I can now see that the best way to advocate for those with IDD is to promote their own self-advocacy. Looking back on the friendship I had with Marie, I realize that I did not treat our relationship any different than my other friendships. She depended on our friendship for a peer advocate who treated her with respect rather than isolation. I gave my friend a voice and allowed her to develop the confidence to become an advocate for herself.

To everyone with IDD: do not fear self-advocacy. Three letters do not have the capacity to define a human being, nor does their connotation have the right to deprive an individual of their voice. As stated by the theme of last summer’s Leadership Conference, it is our job, as advocates for the mission of Best Buddies, to “pass the torch” and encourage those with IDD to become self-advocates rather than keep the torch and solely advocate for them ourselves. In my continued involvement with Best Buddies, I not only hope to further spread the mission of Best Buddies, but I hope to instill confidence in those with IDD and give them the voice they deserve.

Integrated Employment

“We had no idea what to expect and we were blown away.” That’s what Kim Miller, the Director of Human Resources at TCC headquarters in Carmel, Indiana said in a recent conversation about hiring a participant from the Best Buddies Jobs program.

He is a breath of fresh air for our team. He is good for us. RJ challenges all of us to become better leaders. Two of our younger members of the team have gained invaluable experience in working with RJ which will benefit their careers.

– Kim Miller, Director of Human Resources TCC Headquarters, Carmel, Indiana

“RJ adds a new dynamic to our meetings and challenges us to think outside the box and consider options that we might have not considered without his input.”

A typical work day for RJ starts with a bicycle commute to the office. RJ splits his time between the file room, the front desk, and his own desk. Tasks include adding paperwork to employee files, pulling inactive files, sorting mail and preparing greeting cards to send to employees.

The benefits of RJ working at TCC extend far beyond the workplace. RJ’s mom Jodi quickly expresses the confidence that RJ now has in his everyday life.

“In the past while riding his bike on the Monon Trail, or while in the grocery store he would rarely interact with others. Now RJ stops to have conversations is often referred to as outgoing. He will venture out on his own for dinner or to watch sporting events at restaurants instead of staying at home,” said Jodi. She credits his co-workers for the new social skills. Shared greetings and discussions about the weather have been replaced with meaningful conversations with co-workers.

His co-workers are impressed with his work ethic to always do his best. “His work ethic is out of this world,” said his supervisor, Kim Miller, while adding she wishes all of the employees had his level of self-awareness about job performance and drive for excellence.

To first-time job seekers or those changing careers, RJ recommends being “open to new ideas and not afraid to try new things.” RJ joined TCC as the Human Resources Assistant after a 12-year career at a grocery store. The idea of working in an office was intimidating, but RJ quickly adapted to his new environment finding it relaxed and a cool place to work.

When asked to name the best thing about his job, RJ could not think of just one thing. “The friendly atmosphere. Everyone is my age. The HR team–they include me. They invite me to meetings. They are so nice. They are supportive of my work. They are always open to questions,” he said.

When interviewing all of the contributors to this article there was a common theme which was this phrase stated by RJ, Jodi, Kim, and David, “Be open to change.” These four words speak volumes.

Leadership Development

As a member of Butler University Best Buddies chapter for 10 years, I’ve had the opportunity to use my leadership skills to make a difference. I serve as the Buddy Director for Butler Best Buddies and recruit new college buddies and college peer buddies. I like to get as many people as possible involved with Best Buddies! I’ve attended several Best Buddies Indiana leadership trainings and participated in four Best Buddies Leadership Conferences. I’ve served as a Champion of the Year Campaign Manager three times and I love to fundraise for Best Buddies. Some accomplishments I am very proud of our being named College Buddy Pair of the Year and raising the most funds for Best Buddies Indiana’s 2017 Champion of the Year campaign. I also maintain a job in the bakery at Kroger, participate in Special Olympics, and make and sell my own bracelets. I want everyone I meet and know to be able to participate in their community and to do the activities they love.

Kylene is a joy to work with at Butler Best Buddies! Her tenacity and uplifting, positive attitude are assets to our executive team, and her voice is valued and appreciated among our chapter.

– Christine Ellis, Butler University Best Buddies 2017-18 Chapter President

One-to-One Friendship

In the fall of 2017 the Community School of Davidson High School (CSD) started Best Buddies. At their Sorting Hat Match Party, Alli Serdinsky pulled the name of her Peer Buddy from the hat. Alli squealed, “Lizzy!” Both smiling ear to ear, they hugged. That hug was the irst of many hugs to come and the beginning of an amazing friendship.

“Lizzy and Alli were already friendly, so learning that Lizzy would be her Best Buddy was a great surprise. Alli was so excited to be matched with Lizzy!” said Alli’s mom, Jessica Marks. “It’s been wonderful to watch their relationship grow and I can’t wait to see what the next year holds for them both.”

Lizzy Tomalis is a sophomore and CSD Chapter President and Alli, a junior, is the Buddy Director. Alli attends oficer meetings and keeps her classmates up to date on Best Buddies events.

“Best Buddies is special to me, it’s really awesome!” says Alli. Her love and excitement for Best Buddies is truly contagious.

Alli and Lizzy spend time together at school, but the real fun happens after the bell rings. In December 2017, Best Buddies in North Carolina was awarded a grant from the Charlotte Motor Speedway Children’s Charities and invited CSD for a special presentation.

“At Christmas we went to the Nascar track and saw Christmas lights. We both got a teddy bear and had our pictures made in front of the Christmas tree,” said Alli.

Alli loves eating out so the two took advantage of a day off school to go to Steak ‘n Shake; she’s still talking about her mint chocolate chip milkshake. When asked how she feels about Lizzy, Alli had one thing to say: “She is very special and funny. She gives me great hugs and I care about her a lot. She is inspirational to me.”

“Alli and I instantly became friends and we have had so many good times together. I love her hugs, and she always brightens my day with her huge smile. Alli has a way of making everyone feel special,” said Lizzy. “Joining Best Buddies has helped me in so many ways and I feel like I am a better person for it. I have made genuine friendships, particularly with Alli, but also with all of the Best Buddies club members. I hope to continue to grow our Best Buddies club and help others make connections and friendships just like I did.”

While CSD strives to be an inclusive community for all, we knew there was and always will be a need to develop true, authentic friendships in and beyond our school walls. Often I sat across the table in IEP meetings and gazed into parents’ eyes. Those eyes showed gratitude for the education and skills that their child was receiving, yet there always seemed to be a piece missing. I would hear stories of their child rarely being invited to join a group going bowling, out for pizza or even having a sleep over- the typical teen stuff. That was the hole that we needed to ill. My heart weighed heavy, and it was at that time that Izzi Tritz reached out to me about Best Buddies. Wa-la! This was exactly what our community needed. What a difference this year when I sit across that IEP table. Bowling, parties, lunch dates, plays, movies, sporting events… are happening! All of our eyes: parents, students, teachers, administrators now ill with happy tears! We have all beneited immensely! Best Buddies has and will continue to have a lasting impact on our school community.

–Amy Tomalis, EC Director and Mom to Lizzy

One-to-One Friendship

David: I’m glad I met Aleah through Best Buddies because she hangs out with me. She makes the time for me even after graduating from Rio Rancho High School, going to college and working. We have done some fun things together, like baking cookies, going to the movies, hanging out at my house, going out to eat, going ice skating and going to some dances. Aleah calls and texts me often and is very nice and polite. I’m excited when I see her because she is a great friend. She supports me in my sports activities by watching me compete when she can. I enjoy hanging out with her and happy we met because we’re best friends.

Having Aleah as David’s buddy, now one of his best friends, has been a positive experience for our whole family. She helps bring out the best in David and gives him a positive peer model to emulate.

-Aaron and Michelle Fillip, David’s Parents

Aleah: David has grown to become my best friend. Best Buddies has matched me with someone that makes me laugh and is so caring. Every day we would meet before school and he would shake my hand and ask me how my morning went. Our talks started small at frst, he was nervous and stuttered. Slowly we found our interest: Disney! We listened to Disney music every car ride and have plans to watch all the upcoming Disney movies.
David has taught me how to have a proper handshake, bake cheesecake, and facts about scary movies. Throughout our friendship we have only grown to become closer. I have been there for all of David’s wins. I have seen him earn a gold medal for state Special Olympics and he has been there for me. Cheering me on for the school musical and my graduation. Together we even placed 3rd for Best Buddies Pair at our frst Friendship Ball. Wearing the sash was such a special moment. Being a model for other pairs is something I will always cherish. I love being David’s friend and I can’t wait for all the memories we will make in the future.

One-to-One Friendship

Tanya Vitela joined Best Buddies as a Project SEARCH intern at Embassy Suites in 2016. Tanya stood out all year for being hard-working and dedicated. She had almost perfect attendance at Project SEARCH, walking a mile every day to the bus stop where she would catch the bus to Embassy Suites. Tanya applied the self-advocacy skills she learned from Best Buddies in her internship in the kitchen, where an employee was making inappropriate and disrespectful jokes to co-workers. Tanya had the courage to respectfully confront the employee about his ongoing behavior, and told him that his jokes made other employees uncomfortable. The employee was clearly affected by Tanya standing up for a fellow colleague, because he stopped making the jokes, and started being more respectful of all of his co-workers.

In 2017, Tanya’s mother moved out of the family mobile home and left Tanya to live on her own with her dog for the frst time. It soon became clear that Tanya needed support learning basic life skills like cooking, grocery shopping, and personal care. Tanya’s Employment Consultant, Alex Rios, and the rest of the Project SEARCH team stepped in to help Tanya learn these skills.

During this time, Tanya had graduated from Project SEARCH and obtained a promising job at a local pet store as a merchandiser. Ultimately she was asked to leave her job due to concerns from the management that Tanya had contaminated the store with parvovirus from her shoes and clothes.

Tanya bounced back, determined to fnd a new job and a better place to live. Tanya was soon hired as a Banquet Server at Embassy Suites and she established a family among her colleagues and co-workers. Tanya now trains new hires in her department. Tanya’s Employment Consultant, Alex, helped her identify an appropriate apartment for Tanya near her workplace. Alex helped Tanya plan to save up for the costs of moving into a new apartment with her dog. At the end of 2017, Tanya was fnally able to move into her own apartment in a vibrant neighborhood near the University of New Mexico. Her quality of life has improved signifcantly since she has become completely self-reliant.

“I live on my own and I love it because I can do whatever I want, even though I do my own chores. I love doing my own chores at my own house. Especially after working at the hotel, I have higher standards for cleanliness in my apartment” she said.

Living by myself helps me be more independent, gain confidence, and help myself more. Having my own job and my own apartment makes me feel empowered to know that I have something that I can control.

I have grown so much from being an intern and trying to fgure out what I wanted to do, to where I am now. I never thought I’d be this independent woman that I am, and I like to think about what the future holds for me from here on out. I just want to keep improving myself to be the best person I can be,” said Tanya.