Description:

The mission of Best Buddies is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates oportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies Middle Schools pairs students with intellectual and developmental
disabilities in one-to-one friendships with middle school students. In addition to the benefit of developing new friendships, Best Buddies Middle School programs also give students unique opportunities for leadership. With the support of school faculty and Best Buddies staff, students lead and direct the chapters in their schoolsDEVELOPMENTAL DIABILITIES, MENTAL HEALTH, MENTORING, ADULT SERVICES, DOWN SYNDROME SUPPORT

General Information

Hours:

Please see website for programs and hours

Intake Process:

Call office

Program Fees:

Call office

Eligibility:

Ages 14-18 (males and females).
Intellectual Disabilities

According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), an individual is considered to have intellectual disabilities based on the following three criteria: intellectual functioning level (IQ) is below 70-75; significant limitations exist in two or more adaptive skills areas, such as communication, self-care, home living, social skills, leisure, health and safety, self-direction, functional academics (reading, writing, basic math), community participation and employment; and the condition is present from childhood (defined as age 18 or less).

Intellectual disabilities can be caused by any condition that impairs development of the brain before birth, during birth or during the childhood years. Several hundred causes have been discovered, but in about one-third of the people affected, the cause remains unknown. The three major known causes of intellectual disabilities are Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and fragile X.

Developmental Disabilities

According to the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), developmental disabilities are severe disabilities attributable to cognitive and/or physical impairments which appear before the age of 22 and are likely to be lifelong. They result in substantial limitations in three or more of the following areas: self-care, comprehension and language skills, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, economic self-sufficiency, and ability to function independently without coordinated services.

Handicap Accessible?

Yes

Is Shelter?

No