3 people found this review helpful
Best Buddies International, Inc.
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December 6, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
Wow, a close look at the financials is quite interesting. The organization spends an enormous amount of money on events, galas, etc...; but raises little money. A total of $ 312K was spent in 2010 on fundraising fees, and over $ 1.8M on fundraising expenses! That means their parties are awesome. The CEO makes nearly 300K a year, plus the financials note that they pay the CEO's annual membership at the Fisher Island Club. What's that you ask? Well according the Fisher Island Club website, it is the "Tropical Island Oasis with Private Beach, Golf, Tennis, Spa & Marina." It goes on to state that, "If you are looking for a world of exceptional luxury and pleasures, look no further. This exclusive private island paradise offers you world-class resort amenities including a seaside golf course, Mediterranean inspired tennis club, luxury spa, stunning beach club and marina along side luxury hotel accommodations and unrivaled service. Fisher Island Club is where only the most extravagant of lives come to vacation, play and live." Wait, there is more. The biggest expenses for Best Buddies in 2010 were the American Express at $ 588,511.00 and over $ 300K for their swanky corporate headquarters in downtown Miami. Hey, you can't the CEO to leave the private island and go to some mediocre office in Miami, do you? No, that wouldn't do at all. the Miami Tower "is the city's premier business address, the 47-story Miami Tower is also know for a world-class array of upscale amenities and personalized tenant services." I am glad to see everyone is going "first class." The most staggering line item is that the organization raised over $ 4.3M in 2010; but incurred direct expenses of $ 6.9M!!!! That is a loss of over $ 2.6M!!!!
More feedback...
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 4, 2011
I have been involved with Best Buddies for 7 years, and now I am employeed in the Company. I truly believe that we are capable of having a socially inclusive world, but this would not happen without Best Buddies and the overwhelming support of the community, our participants, and our volunteers. I am a strong believer in the Best Buddies mission. Also, as a sister of a brother with Autism it is so important for individuals to have a place to turn to for friendship, an employment. My hope is that one day Best Buddies will work itself out of buisness and we will live in a totally inclusive society. This is a fabulous organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have developed wonderful relationships with a lot of people. I have had to opportunity to be paired in a one-to-one friendship with multiple people.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Give all schools in Allegheny County a chance to start the program in their school
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 4, 2011
I support Best Buddies because I truly believe in the importance of friendship - that basic human need to be included, loved, appreciated, and respected. Best Buddies reinforces that people with intellectual disabilities should be viewed as equals, as co-workers and as friends. Every day my friends help me to enjoy life to it's fullest and Best Buddies creates environments and changes attitudes so that children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities can experience the same.!
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've met one of my best friends through Best Buddies!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Start a BB chapter in every high school in Allegheny County
More feedback...
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
October 4, 2011
My daughter inspired me to join best buddies, by befriending a class mate with IDD. She saw her friend as a classmate and peer, something that doesn't happen often enough. Best Buddies mission is to promote that kind of social inclusion and I'm regularly and consistently moved by the magic that happens through Best Buddies. The joy, zest for life, and real friendship on display at every Best Buddies event is enough to make me a devoted supporter for life!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Witnessing the impact on individuals with IDD and on students who participate.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I look forward to the day when we can expand our programming to more schools and to members of the community.
November 2, 2010
My name is Ikea Glover. I'm 22 years old and I'm from wilmington, delaware. I'm disabled and my family is disabled also.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Doing some activities for the disabled people.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Help with the other disabled people to walk outside.
November 2, 2010
This is a great program to promote friendship and social inclusion to those with an Intellectual Disability.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have two great friends that are involved in E-buddies with her own Children as well. It is a family project. I have witnessed he joy they joy they have. I have a friend with a daughter that both have Best Buddies and they all go and do "girl" friend together and they always tell me of the great times they all share. I have another friend that has an e-buddy and they actually met and it was a great experience.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get more volunteers as I am planning to do by signing up as an e-buddy.
November 2, 2010
My friend got me addicted to this program. I am waiting to be paired with a buddy. I am hoping to find one that can come to my office and do little tasks for us. I think it would be great to have a personal with an intellectual disability to work in an accounting firm downtown Chicago! I think it would be great for heir self esteem. I would also like to have a buddy to take to ballgames and have friend. Best Buddy is social inclusion and that is what I am hoping to achieve!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
My friend and her two daughter's are involved in e-buddies and my friend and her oldest daughter also have best buddies that they go to movies and shopping together and they have so much fun.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get more volunteers!
October 31, 2010
Best Buddies is a fantastic organization. The growth of the friendship, jobs and e-buddies programs over the last 20 years is conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of the programs in supporting people with disabilities. The programs touch hundreds of thousands of lives each year. And there are literally hundreds of anecdotes about people with disabilities who found friendship and happiness and fulfillment for the first time due to Best Buddies. In addition, Best Buddies is helping to knock out the stereotype of "retarded" people. We are all humans, all the same. A person with a disability has the same senses and sensitivities as nondisabled people. Through Best Buddies, the labels and sterotypes can come to an end.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Many areas
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Become an employee of BEst Buddies
My Role: Volunteer & As a Chapter President of my high school chapter, I organized and lead meetings and events for forty members and six Buddies over the course of an academic year. As a member at NYU, my Buddy and I continue to converse weekly and participate in fun events .
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October 31, 2010
The first organization I looked for at NYU's club fair was Best Buddies. Last year, as a freshman at a new school, I wanted to be a part of something fun, exciting, fulfilling and most of all, familiar. I had been a part of the Best Buddies International organization since my freshman year of high school and became the Chapter President my senior year. Although as a Chapter President I held many leadership responsibilities, the work that I put into building of our chapter never felt like work at all; I had the incredible support of Gerri Caruncho, the chapter advisor; Catherine Houlihan, the program manager; and my members who were always willing to volunteer extra time and share responsibilities. In Best Buddies, it is the culminated efforts of an entire chapter that determines its success of becoming an extended family. The four years that I had spent at Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami, Florida were absolutely changed by my experiences in Best Buddies. Greater than the great love and dedication we worked to create in our chapter was the sense of pride, accomplishment and fulfillment of our chapter that Best Buddies has given us in return. More than I could ever teach my Buddy, Anya, is what she has taught me in return - to be a better person. After graduating high school I can only hope to share what my Anya has taught me with others in NYU Best Buddies and beyond: acceptance, respect, loyalty, trust and understanding - the constitutes of true, unconditional friendship. Of the many strengths of Best Buddies is that it is an organization that works for the future. It's dynamic encourages members and Buddies to grow as the organization grows, rather than just be a simple volunteer. With Best Buddies and what I have learned from it, I continue to grow as a person with the experiences I have with my new Buddy, Marieanne. Just last week we made princess crowns for her costume for the Halloween Best Buddies party. I was cutting out the gemstone shapes and the crown templates extremely carefully when Marieanne reminded me that she would love her crown no matter how it looked because I had helped her make it. With Best Buddies, I hope more people will realize that it doesn't matter if Marieanne doesn't know how to use scissors, she knows so much more that is truly valuable. She reminds me that perfection isn't what is important, but rather, the imperfections that make life special - A true testament to the Best Buddies mission.
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
everyday experiences.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change a thing. Best Buddies is on a path to making great change and just needs the support of great individuals to continue their success.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
October 30, 2010
I a m currently the chapter president of the University of Miami chapter of Best Buddies and I must say, all of our members enjoy being part of this grand organization! It is important for all of us that our buddies are happy with their friendships and are being contacted and treated as a true friend. We are required to send in Friendship Updates and describe the different activities we did throughout the month with our buddies. At UM, these updates are read thoroughly and problems are addressed immediately. The staff at Headquarters is alos a very important part of this organization- they are the base and the go-to for everything that has to do with Best Buddies. All staff members are reliable- they will help you with anything you need! Without them, Best Buddies chapters would not function. And as for my own buddy pair, I have been matched with my buddy for over a year now and I must say that our relationship has grown wonderfully, not just into a friendship, but into a sisterly-bond. We care for each other and although it feels great to know that in some way, i am making an impact in the life of another, it is indescribable to mention the many ways my own life has been impacted and the amazing feelings I get when I am around my buddy. It is a truly life-altering experience, always for the better.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my own Buddy match and in my chapter's matches, as a whole.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not make any! The only thing I would like to see is more chapters opening up!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Nothing, I think everything done in the organization has a purpose and is actively maintained.
Did your volunteer experience have an effect on you? (teaching you a new skill, or introducing new friends, etc.)
Making a new friend! Seeing others in a new light.
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
It makes me feel like I am making a change inthe world- we are slowly teaching others, through our own friendships, that people with disabilities should be treated just like anyone else and, with time and showing them affection, you can see their paersonalities and talents. Some may surprise you- and that's what this is all about- trying to get our buddies out these, to show themselves to others and to let everyone know that we are all the same.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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