IT’S A NEW SCHOOL YEAR CHAPTERS ARE RAMPING UP
2009-10 will be off to great start with recruitment happening at the University of New Mexico, Sandia High, Eldorado High, Cibola High, Rio Grande High, Rio Rancho High, Grants High and DeVargas Middle School. For UNM, Cibola, Rio Rancho, and Grants this will mark their first year of matching students in one-to-one friendships! For everyone, this will be the first full year that New Mexico will have buddies and peer buddies committed to each other for the full school year. We fully expect to triple our participation once membership applications are submitted! With two additional schools under development,
For those unfamiliar with the Best Buddies program, peer buddies are matched with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities based on interests to create one-to-one friendships. Peer Buddies make contact with their buddy weekly and spend quality time together twice monthly, in and out of school. Many of our buddy pairs spend much more time together, doing things like working out at the gym/community centers, attending dance and arts classes, shopping and just hanging out playing video games. For both our buddies and peer buddies, it is a life changing experience!
In 09-10, we are planning some great events. We will be providing Buddy Leadership Training in October for 10 Buddies. We are holding our First Bowl-a-thon on September 19. We will hold Best Buddies Night at the Thunderbirds in January, a walk-a-thon in March and a Prom, planned by our own Buddies, for April!
Membership applications are now available at www.bestbuddiesonline.org
For more information contact Amanda @ 559-4227 or email amandagonzales@bestbuddies.org
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