Best Buddies Spring 2025

What is Best Buddies?

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization that works to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to form meaningful friendships with others. Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies operates in various countries around the world. Their programs aim to foster inclusion and break down social barriers through peer friendships, leadership development, and employment opportunities.

The organization offers several programs, including:

1. One-to-One Friendship Programs: These programs match individuals with IDD with "peer buddies" without disabilities, encouraging social interactions and lasting friendships.
2. Leadership Development: Best Buddies also encourages college students to become leaders within the organization. College students can take on leadership roles, help organize events, and advocate for inclusion on their campuses. This helps both the students and individuals with IDD to develop leadership skills and grow personally.
3. Inclusion and Advocacy: Students in Best Buddies work to promote the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in campus life. This can include advocating for better accessibility, hosting social events, and raising awareness about the challenges faced by people with IDD.

The overall goal of Best Buddies is to promote acceptance and improve the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Best Buddies at Duquesne University

Best Buddies gives students and buddies at Duquesne the opportunity to gain valuable life skills and create new friendships. Through participation in Best Buddies, Duquesne students learn about empathy, inclusion, and the importance of diversity. The experience helps develop personal qualities like compassion, patience, and leadership. It also gives students the chance to be part of something meaningful, enriching their college experience and building lasting memories.

Why We Need Your Support

A donation to Best Buddies can help cover a variety of essential programs and services that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as the college students and communities involved. Here are some examples of what a donation might cover:

Friendship Programs:

• Matching Buddies: Donations can help fund the pairing of individuals with IDD and college students in the one-to-one friendship programs, covering the costs of matching, training, and ongoing support.
• Social Events: Donations may help fund social events, such as group outings, campus meetups, and other activities designed to promote inclusion and friendship between peers.

Leadership Development:

• Training Materials: Donations can cover the costs of leadership training programs for college students, equipping them with skills in advocacy, communication, and community building.
• Conferences and Retreats: Financial support can help send college students to leadership development retreats or conferences, where they can receive specialized training and learn how to lead Best Buddies chapters effectively.

Chapter Support:

• Operational Costs: Donations can help with the costs of running the Duquesne Best Buddies chapter, including materials for events, outreach programs, and activities that help foster an inclusive environment on college campuses.
• Travel and Transportation: Some funds might go toward transportation for participants to attend local, regional, or national events, ensuring that everyone can get involved regardless of their geographic location.

A donation to Best Buddies directly impacts the lives of both people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and college students, helping foster inclusion, friendship, leadership, and employment opportunities.

Get Connected!

Donate Now: A donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated by our students and buddies in the club. Please select the “Give now” button to donate to our club, as any donation is appreciated.

Spread the Word: Attend our annual Spread the Word fundraiser held on 4/10/25 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm in the Union ballroom. We will be raising money for our club with many different activities such as raffle baskets, 50/50 drawing, magic show, live band, Ice burgh the mascot, food, and much more. Please also tell your family and friends about this event and encourage them to attend!!

Get connected: Follow us on our social media @bestbuddies_duq on Instagram and Duquesne Best Buddies on Facebook! Also, reach out to us by email at bestbuddies@duq.edu if you have any questions or concerns!