Best Buddies IN: Power Of e-Buddies Program

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Patch recently shared a detailed inside look at Best Buddies Indiana and the nonprofit's Citizens Program, which is centered on the one-to-one friendships of two adult members from the same community (an adult with IDD with an adult without a disability) who are paired by the organization. Now, Patch is sharing another unique Best Buddies program, a one-to-one friendship a bit different from Best Buddies Citizens. It's called e-Buddies, and people of all ages can get involved.

In September, Patch took you inside Indiana's Best Buddies organization, a nonprofit impacting 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, and are encouraging volunteers to join one of the newer Best Buddies friendship programs, Best Buddies Citizens, they're also seeking volunteers for their e-Buddies program.

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

e-Buddies sits under the pillar of One-To-One Friendships, as this program centers on communication and social inclusion between buddies over email. It's an e-mail pen pal program providing safe ways for one-to-one e-mail friendships between between with and without IDD.

According to Marcia Clutter, Deputy Director of Development for Best Buddies Indiana, e-Buddies is a safe way to communicate, as the backgrounds of volunteers and buddies are looked into beforehand.

According to Best Buddies, e-Buddies participants come together online to form friendships and a community that celebrates their diversity of character and abilities, while developing technology literacy skills and communication confidence that open up opportunities in the real world. In fact, 54 percent of members with IDD revealed that they feel more confident engaging in other online social outlets as a result of their participation in e-Buddies.

Marty Gelozin and his e-Buddy, William, can attest to this.

Gelozin is a retired educator from Bargersville, and William is from Delaware. The two have been e-Buddies for a couple years, according to Gelozin.

"I've been involved with e-Buddies for more than 20 years both through work and as an e-Buddy," Gelozin said. "In terms of participation we're pretty solid every weeks, when we're not traveling that is. With cameras on phones, I also have to ability, perhaps unfortunately for him, to send pictures from my trips. Luckily we have several common interests like golf, traveling, college sports, and like guys do, we might give each other a jab now and then when our schools play each other; his being U of Delaware and mine UCONN and Butlerr."

Gelozin said whenever you can make a one-on-one positive connection, it's special in every case.

"I think the best way to get people involved is to try to get with groups, civic, religious, athletic, etc.," Gelozin said.

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

If you or someone you know would be a great match for Best Buddies e-Buddies, 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.

"Donate, see if your company matches donations, or see if your HR department knows about Best Buddies, or has a jobs program that would fit with Best Buddies," Clutter said. "We need volunteers for our advisory board, committees, fundraisers, as we're working on broadening our network. We're a staff of seven people, so we need volunteers, corporate chapters, and buddies for our Citizens and e-Buddies programs."

Since speaking with Clutter, she said their staff has now increased to eight members.

Clutter also said 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.

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.

Thousands of community members also participate in the Best Buddies Indiana Friendship Walk, held every April.

Best Buddies Indiana Citizens Program Seeking Volunteers

For more information, including the many ways to get involved, donate or volunteer with Best Buddies Indiana, visit bestbuddies.org/indiana/. See how being part of a one-to-one friendship can not only change your buddy's life, but also yours.

(Image via Best Buddies Indiana)