Best Buddies Colleges pairs people with intellectual disabilities in one-to-one friendships with college students. Without friends and family, we are alone. In the past, individuals with intellectual disabilities have not had the opportunity to have friends outside of their own environment. By becoming a College Buddy, volunteers offer a Buddy the chance to explore a new way of life.
Best Buddies Colleges is the premise upon which the international organization of Best Buddies began. The mission of Best Buddies Colleges is to provide an opportunity for college students to be matched in a one-to-one friendship with individuals who have intellectual disabilities. Social experiences and relationships are a part of life; unfortunately, individuals with intellectual disabilities have historically been excluded from many of the social opportunities that most people enjoy. By becoming a college buddy, you will not only befriend someone with a developmental disability, but you will also learn about yourself in the process.
College chapters are active on over 360 campuses worldwide. Each chapter is a registered student organization on their college campus and is led by a college buddy director.
(Taken from www.bestbuddies.org website)
Terminology
Buddy – an individual with a developmental disability who is paired with a College Buddy.
Omaha’s chapters require these individuals to be between 18 – 35 years of age.
College Buddy – a full-time college student in good standing who is paired with a buddy.
College Buddy Director - a student that is willing to organize, lead and maintain a chartered chapter of Best Buddies for the duration of one academic year. Ashly Moore is the
2009 – 2010 CBD. Katie Jacobs can be reached at kathleenjacobs@creighton.edu
Host Site – a facility or agency working with the chapter to pair Buddies with College Buddies. The Arc of Omaha at the Ollie Webb Center is the host site in Omaha.
Host Site Coordinator – a support person at the host site. Lisa Dougherty is the Coordinator at The Arc of Omaha. Lisa can be reached at ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org or (402) 346-5220.
College Buddy Job Description
College Buddy Role
- Take the lead in supporting your Buddy through a friendship
- Serve as a positive role model and friend
- Be actively involved with your Buddy’s interests and life experiences
- Involve your Buddy in your interests and life experiences
- Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together
- Build self-esteem
- Help set goals and work toward achieving them
Time Commitment
- Make a one-year commitment
- Get together twice (2) per month to participate in social/recreational activities with your Buddy (activities may be completed during the day, evening, or on weekends)
-- One activity must be an individual activity (or small group) with your Buddy
-- The other activity must be the Best Buddies monthly group event (held mostly on Sunday afternoons/evenings)
- Communicate weekly via telephone or email
- Attend monthly Best Buddies Chapter Meetings (held the Thursday evening before the group event at 9pm in BA310)
- Submit ‘Friendship Updates’ by the 25th of each month to the Membership Coordinator, Niki Eggers. These updates are a series of questions for you to answer regarding your friendship.