Best Buddies Michigan

Mission: To establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people and families living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people and families living with Down syndrome, autism, fragile x, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Best Buddies envisions a world where people with IDD are so successfully integrated into schools, workplaces and communities that its current efforts and services will be unnecessary. Until that vision becomes a reality, the organization will continue to educate middle school, high school and college students, community members, corporations and employers about the emotional, functional, and natural needs and abilities of people with IDD.

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

• One-To-One Friendships – Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion.
• Integrated Employment – Secures jobs for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and support themselves.
• Leadership Development – Educates and empowers people with and without IDD, to be leaders, public speakers and advocates.
• Inclusive Living – Providing a vibrant, integrated living opportunity for people with and without IDD.
• Family Support – Family support and resources to raise a child with IDD.