Best Buddies Dartmouth is a pilot chapter of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our chapter was founded during the 2011-2012 academic year. It is important to note that Best Buddies is not a mentoring program. Rather, the organization pairs a “buddy”, a term used here to identify a person with an IDD, with a Dartmouth student in a one-to-one friendship. Together, Dartmouth College “buddy pairs” talk at least once a week, spend time together at least twice a month, and gather as a group for activities once a month. We are partnered with Pathways NH, an organization that supports individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injuries and their families throughout Sullivan and Lower Grafton Counties.
Best Buddies Dartmouth is a pilot chapter since the state of New Hampshire currently does not have an established state office. However, plans for a state office to be opened by Best Buddies International are currently underway. In the meantime, Best Buddies Dartmouth is operating without the umbrella support of a state office and is working in the community independently.
Best Buddies International was founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver. It has grown from one original chapter at Georgetown University to an international organization with nearly 1,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in 50 countries around the world. Best Buddies’ seven formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, Jobs and Ambassadors – positively impact nearly 700,000 individuals with and without disabilities worldwide.
Best Buddies Dartmouth is a pilot chapter since the state of New Hampshire currently does not have an established state office. However, plans for a state office to be opened by Best Buddies International are currently underway. In the meantime, Best Buddies Dartmouth is operating without the umbrella support of a state office and is working in the community independently.
Best Buddies International was founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver. It has grown from one original chapter at Georgetown University to an international organization with nearly 1,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in 50 countries around the world. Best Buddies’ seven formal programs – Best Buddies Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, Jobs and Ambassadors – positively impact nearly 700,000 individuals with and without disabilities worldwide.
It takes TWO to make a friendship, it takes YOU to make a difference.