🚨 State Showdown Week 3 update is here! 🚨 Best Buddies in Massachusetts & Rhode Island is holding onto the top spot, but Best Buddies in California and Best Buddies Florida are right on their heels! 🏆 Best Buddies Tennessee and Colorado are still in the race—anything can happen! Let’s keep cheering on our Best Buddies states and make this competition unforgettable! 💙 Tag your state, spread the word, and let’s see who rises to the challenge! #StateShowdown #WhyBestBuddies #BestBuddies
Best Buddies International
Non-profit Organization Management
Miami, FL 26,738 followers
Creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About us
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and other undiagnosed disabilities. Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.
- Website
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http://www.bestbuddies.org
External link for Best Buddies International
- Industry
- Non-profit Organization Management
- Company size
- 201-500 employees
- Headquarters
- Miami, FL
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1989
- Specialties
- social inclusion, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, integrated employment, and leadership development
Locations
Employees at Best Buddies International
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Lisa Derx
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Linda Kordek-Milton
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Kathy DiRusso (she/her) CPWIC
Passionate Includer and Director of Jobs Operations, supporting staff in 22 states & 39 locations offering supported employment for people who…
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Jessica Schwartz
Innovative Marketing Director | Elevating Brand Awareness and Visibility through Strategic Partnerships | Building Campaigns that Enhance Community…
Updates
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🎉Friendship goals! From hallway dance parties to endless smiles, Livi and Will remind us what it truly means to celebrate inclusion and connection every day. Their bond is proof that life is better when we lift each other up. Let’s keep spreading joy, one friendship at a time! #BestBuddies #FriendshipGoals #InclusionMatters 🎥: Best Buddies in Texas
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We’re halfway through the #StateShowdown, and the competition is heating up! Your donation can help your state rise to the top of the leaderboard and unlock a matching gift from Jersey Mike's Subs. Together, we can create life-changing opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 🎤 Meet Fran—aka “Flava Fran”! She’s a Best Buddies Global Ambassador, talented rapper, and an inspiring voice for inclusion. From overcoming challenges to spreading light through her music and speeches, Fran is the ultimate example of resilience and positivity. Watch Fran’s story and see how your support fuels incredible journeys like hers. Donate today and double your impact! https://lnkd.in/evKPivMt #BestBuddies #StateShowdown #InclusionMatters #WhyBestBuddies
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🎳✨ Holiday fun, strikes, and smiles all around at our Celebrity Holiday Bowling with Best Buddies! 🌟 This unforgettable event brought together our incredible Buddies, supporters, and celebrity friends for a night of joy and inclusion. Check out the highlights and feel the holiday spirit in every frame! #BestBuddies #HolidayBowling #InclusionMatters #StrikeForInclusion
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State Showdown Week 2 results are in, and Massachusetts is currently leading the pack! Followed closely by California, Tennessee, New York, and Missouri — it’s anyone’s game! Let’s keep the momentum going and show our support for the Best Buddies states in the competition! Keep up the energy, share the love, and let’s see who comes out on top! https://lnkd.in/gApxuGqV #StateShowdown #WhyBestBuddies #BestBuddies
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From a chance encounter at a bowling alley to a decade of cherished friendship, Jessica and Kimy’s journey is proof of the lifelong bonds Best Buddies fosters.💜 Together, they've shared life’s highs and lows, becoming family in every sense. Their story is a shining example of what inclusion and friendship can achieve—a world where everyone belongs. Inclusion is the key to lasting friendships. Let’s keep building a world where meaningful connections thrive and everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. #InclusionMatters #BestBuddies #FriendshipGoals #LifelongBonds Video by: Best Buddies Philippines
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Meet Lonnie! 💜🎶 Diagnosed with autism at age 3, Lonnie’s love for music led to remarkable achievements. With Best Buddies Jobs, he found more than employment at the Lyric Opera of Chicago—he found confidence, community, and purpose. This holiday season, you can help create more success stories like Lonnie’s. Join the Best Buddies #StateShowdown, where states unite to raise vital funds that make a real local impact. Our friends at Jersey Mike's Subs have pledged an amazing $1.32M to the Showdown, including a matching gift for the top fundraising state! Together, we can double the impact. Donate now: https://lnkd.in/gummkAZn #InclusionMatters #BestBuddies #WhyBestBuddies
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Friendship at its best! 💜 Harrell and Emma’s story reflects the heart of Best Buddies: building friendships that empower, uplift, and bring joy. Their bond shows how inclusion creates a better world—one where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. Friendships like theirs remind us of the power of connection. Together, we’re creating a community where individuals of all abilities shine. 🌟 #InclusionMatters #BestBuddies #FriendshipForAll
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The State Showdown is heating up for Best Buddies! Here are the states leading the charge for our annual end-of-year fundraising competition...but time isn't up yet. Who do you think will end up being the top state? 🫣 Let's us know in the comments below. Top 5 Leaderboard 🏆 California: $12,741 Massachusetts: $6,750 Tennesse: $6,425 Maryland: $5,334 Idaho: $5,100 https://bit.ly/3VultUf
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ICYMI: Best Buddies and Jersey Mike's Subs are teaming up for a game-changing partnership! Check out the full feature on Bloomberg to see how this collaboration is making waves and creating lasting impact for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Watch now! https://bloom.bg/3BjpW5s #BestBuddies #JerseyMikes #Inclusion #PartnershipForChange