Get Involved

Best Buddies Mission

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, Autism, Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful relationships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy & communication skills, and feel valued by society.

 

Best Buddies Friendship Programs

Best Buddies Friendship programs represent one of our organization’s three key mission pillars.  These programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. 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.

How the Friendship Program Works

  • A participant with IDD (Buddy) is paired with a person without IDD (Peer-Buddy) based on demographic location and shared interests for at least one year of friendship commitment. Matches typically start at the beginning of a school year even though not all Buddies will be students.
  • Buddy pairs connect at least once a week by email, phone call, texting, social media or written correspondence.
  • Friendship program participants are monitored to ensure the quality of matched pairs and interactions.

 

How Can I Get Involved in The Potter’s House Dallas Chapter?


  • As a Support Group Attendee: Moms, Dads, Siblings, & Caregivers IDD Support Groups typically meet virtually. To receive notifications and the Zoom link to join our virtual support group meetings as well as be notified about our programming, email tphidd@tdjakes.org.
    • Why Support Groups? It can feel isolating to be a parent of a child with disabilities or special health-care needs. Sometimes it feels like no one understands your journey. The IDD Support Groups were created for mothers, dads, siblings and caregivers of individuals with special abilities to help join you together with other others who understand. The future might seem complicated, but tips from other moms, dads, and siblings can teach you essential coping skills and show you the way forward. “You Are Not Alone!”

For more information contact: tphidd@tdjakes.org or 214-331-0954 x1417