The Best Buddies Club has been a staple of the Sacred Heart community for years, leaving a significant impact on its members. According to the Best Buddies website, the program fosters one-on-one friendships between college students without Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their peers on campus or in the community with IDD. Young adults with IDD historically have been isolated at home or in work environments.
Source: Instagram: @shu_bestbuddies
The Best Buddies Colleges program, a nonprofit organization, is changing this by providing the opportunity for people with IDD to be involved in their local campus and community life by hosting different events throughout the year.
Mairead Aiken, President of the Best Buddies Club said, “I believe people should join Best Buddies because their lives will be enriched from the pure joy this club brings. Whether you’re having a conversation, meeting for the first time, or sharing an experience together, you’re always made to feel like you belong. The people you meet through Best Buddies are always rooting for you every step of the way.”
Best Buddies offers a low-stress environment for members to build friendships and meet new people on campus. Students also have the opportunity to engage in activities they might not have pursued on their own.
“Best Buddies means creating a safe and welcoming environment where everyone can be themselves. It means forming a family within the chapter by spending time together, whether it’s grabbing lunch with your one-on-one buddy or bowling at Bobby V with the club,” said Lauren Cote, Vice President of the Best Buddies Club.
The Best Buddies Club is hosting a fundraising kickball tournament on Sunday, April 21. The tournament will be open to teams of eight to ten people, with a charge of five dollars per person. The tournament will also feature yard games and popcorn and take place in the fields behind Martire from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
“Being a member of Best Buddies taught me how to develop meaningful connections. Having the opportunity to lead our chapter these past two years means more than words express,” said Aiken.
