Best Buddies in your future?

International organization looks to relaunch Thunder Bay branch

Erin Collins
News Editor

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”

- Author Unknown

No matter who they are or where they come from, friends are precious. They share experiences, provide comfort and companionship, and offer support in times of need. Everyone deserves a good friend.

For many, friendship is a gift that may be taken for granted. For others, such as individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, meeting others and building friendships can be challenging. This can cause feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression, which can result in low self-esteem and a decline in overall wellbeing.

Best Buddies, an international volunteer organization, has a solution. With over 250 chapters across Canada alone, Best Buddies strives to give the gift of friendship to those who need it most. “Our program gives people with intellectual disabilities the chance to have experiences which most people take for granted,” says their website: “going for coffee, out to a movie, or simply enjoying the company of a good friend.” The organization does this by pairing volunteer high school and university students with individuals with disabilities.

“Best Buddies matches students with people in the community with disabilities and creates friendships that don’t happen normally,” explains Rob Rombouts, Program Manager of the Greater Toronto Area and South-Western Ontario. “It offers students a unique way to connect with their community.”

Buddy pairs are usually made between individuals who are close in age and share similar interests. The buddies are encouraged to call each other weekly and meet up twice a month. Each chapter also offers activities for their Best Buddies four times a year.

Started in the U.S., the first Best Buddies branch in Canada was established in 1993. The organization has become quite successful and currently maintains branches in Egypt, Scotland, the Philippines, and 41 other countries.

However, Best Buddies currently isn’t operating in Thunder Bay. “Someone was in charge of the chapter last year, but it’s currently not active,” explains Rombouts. “We’re looking to re-launch the program in Thunder Bay, but we need someone to develop and implement the program in this area.”

Rombouts hopes the branch in Thunder Bay will once again be up and running, believing it will have a positive impact on the community at large.

“This program doesn’t just benefit those with disabilities, it benefits everyone involved,” says Rombouts. “We’ve had countless volunteers who have said at the end of their experience, ‘I went into this with the hopes of changing a life. I didn’t realize I’d end up changing mine too.’ That’s what Best Buddies is all about. Offering life-changing experiences and friendships to all involved.”

For more information about Best Buddies, please visit www.bestbuddies.ca/.

Tags: best buddies

Category: News