Best Buddies International, Southwest Florida offi

Mission Statement

Best Buddies is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Organizational Overview

Best Buddies is dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  Best Buddies was founded in 1989 after Anthony Kennedy Shriver noticed a significant lack in opportunities for people with IDD to socialize with their peers without disabilities. The Kennedy family has been a driving force in supporting people with IDD for the past 50 years, and Best Buddies has been realizing this vision since its inception through the implementation of programing aimed at supporting all facets of life through its current impacts on over one million people per day in all 50 states and in 54 countries across six continents. Best Buddies in Southwest Florida first opened its office in 2017, and currently has programs in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota counties with hopes of expanding to more. There are currently Best Buddies Friendship Programs in 12 Elementary Schools, 11 Middle Schools, 12 High Schools, and 2 Colleges. We serve more than 800 members through our school friendship and adult friendship programs. We have two signature annual events that include the Best Buddies Friendship Walk and the Champion of the Year Gala.