Best Buddies Indiana Citizens Program Seeking Volunteers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Last month Patch shared a detailed look at Best Buddies Indiana, including first-hand examples of how and why the non-profit impacts more than 55,000 others throughout the state, and over one million people worldwide. Thanks to Best Buddies Indiana's 5,520 participants within chapters at middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities and other volunteers including promoters and ambassadors, Best Buddies Indiana headquarters is able to make its mark in the world's largest organization (Best Buddies International) dedicated to empowering and creating opportunities and friendships for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). However, while Best Buddies Indiana is thriving with the organization's to one-to-one friendships between young adult community members, they are looking for volunteers to join one of the newer Best Buddies friendship programs, Best Buddies Citizens.

Best Buddies programs are based on what the organization calls three key mission pillars - One-To-One Friendships, Integrated Employment and Leadership Development. Best Buddies Citizens sits under the One-To-One Friendships category.

Best Buddies Citizens began in Indiana in 2014, and is a one-to-one friendship program where two members from the same community (an adult with IDD with an adult without a disability) are paired by the organization.

Best Buddies IN: Empowering Over 55,000 One Friendship At A Time

According to Marcia Clutter, Deputy Director of Development for Best Buddies Indiana, there is a list of Buddies in the Citizens Program who are patiently waiting to be matched with a member of the community.

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Best Buddies Indiana describes Citizens as a mutually enriching program, and an opportunity to promote social inclusion and respect. Our state's organization also specifies what friendship expectations and participation include:

• Weekly communication (phone, email, text messages, other)
• Two visits or one prolonged visit each month
• A commitment of one calendar year

Participation requirements include:

• Must be 18 years or older and not involved in the Best Buddies Colleges program
• A completed $15 background check simply to ensure safety of all participants
• Just be a friend!

For those who are paired in the program, Frank Ebels, Program Manager for Best Buddies Indiana, could provide numerous stories and pairs who get together on a consistent basis.

For example, Mike Bothwell and Steve Mailloux are what Ebel considers a standout pair within Best Buddies Citizens.

"They get together almost weekly and they really enjoy each other's company," Ebel said.

The two men, one in his mid-forties and the other in his fifties, put together a statement for Patch, and were happy to help share why this program for adults - and their friendship - is so great.

"We have a great friendship because we enjoy each other's company, we do fun things together, and talk on the phone a lot," Bothwell and Mailloux said. "Attached is a picture of Steve, me and my daughter Grace, getting ready to go bowling. Grace has joined us quite a few times and Steve really enjoys our team outings," Bothwell said.

If you or someone you know would be a great match, and are willing to fulfill these requirements, visit bestbuddies.org/indiana/ to learn more and sign up.

You just might learn to see things from a new perspective, and/or find a new kind of respect for people in the community.

Looking for a way to get involved with Best Buddies Indiana outside of a one-to-one friendship? There are several, including donating, volunteering for local fundraising events, board events and more. To experience what Best Buddies Indiana is all about, there are several upcoming events and fundraisers scheduled as part of their 4th Annual Champion of the Year Campaign, where nominated candidates, including local patch reporter Rebecca Bream, will compete for eight weeks by fundraising for Best Buddies programs and helping people with IDD through Nov. 9.

Don't forget to "like" the Best Buddies Indiana Facebook page as it feeds into their Twitter and Instagram pages, and the buddies are able to see that.

(Photo credit: Mike Bothwell)