Best Buddies International, Inc.

This company hates me as a disabled person. They treated me poorly

If I could give these condescending infantilizing pieces of s*** zero Stars I would. When they text you about programs they use cutesy language like you are six. The job they gave me did not follow the rules they were supposed to and was wrong for me and no matter how many times I begged them to find me a new job they just focused on trying to get me more hours I could get them a list of 15 different complaints the bottom of which is I'm not getting enough hours and they would ignore the other 14 and say oh we'll be talking to them too get you more hours and I doubt that you've been did that because the situations with the hours never really improved. I was finally drop from this organization when I was fired for having a meltdown at work.

Am Disabled I Never Made Any Friends Thur the Best buddies Program Buddy pairs Did Not Work out No Friendship Was Fromed person they Paired me With Mistreated Me the employees at Best Buddies International And best buddies Tennessee were very rude to me I don't recommend you join one of their chapters I regret that I ever joined this program this program has been nothing but a headache to me I join thinking that I was going to make friends but did not make any friends at all they are most certainly not what they claim to be don't let their flashy advertisement fool you

I have been volunteering with Best Buddies for a decade now and I will never stop because I find the mission of Best Buddies so powerful and empowering. Best Buddies does not ask volunteers to be just mentors, tutors, or anything like that; instead, volunteers are asked to be friends. The great thing about friendship is the give-and-take nature of it. I have received much more from my experience with Best Buddies and from my buddies than I ever expected. If you choose to get involved with Best Buddies, you'll never regret it and you might never be able to stop.

I have had an E-buddy for almost 8 years now, and have developed a beautiful friendship with a woman I would not have otherwise met. Best Buddies is an organization that strives to build and cultivate love and friendships…what more could we want out of life? I love being a part of such a positive team, and highly recommend getting involved in this organization.

Best Buddies was my first job out if college in 1994 and the experience, opportunities and friendships that it created for me had shaped the way I feel as a professional in the world. It also directed me toward getting my graduate degree in nonprofit management. Being there for what was the beginning of this tremendous organization is a source of pride that I will always carry with me. The mission is simple and beautiful and the work that has been accomplished is inspirational. I will always love Best Buddies and feel connected to it in a special way.
Holly Snyder Goshin

I have seen Best Buddies change peoples' lives in big way. I attended Leadership Conference in 2013 and heard directly from individuals with intellectual disabilities ("Buddies") that Best Buddies changed their lives.

One young man, a Buddy, told me that because of the Best Buddies jobs program he has a job and he has been performing for years at that job and he loves it. He also said with Pride the he is Good at it. He is grateful for that job and the purpose it has given him and that is why he was studying to be an ambassador so he can tell other people his story. By telling his story he hoped other people could get jobs also. When he understood that I was a volunteer, he thanked me. That changed my life.

Best Buddies, while in theory and some would argue practice is a good organization is NOT what you think it is. Think twice or maybe three or four times before giving ANY money to this organization or participating it the elaborate parties, bike rides etc. There are many more, well-deserving LOCAL organizations out there. Having been involved and watching the organization from a national standpoint I am deeply disappointed in the way they USE people with disabilities to get to fund six figure salaries in the corporate office. NOT ONE DIME of any money raised by the states stays in the state. It is all funneled to corporate for salaries, benefits etc. Individual chapters must raise their OWN money locally to conduct the mission of the organization at the local level. Many chapters have little to no support by the so-called program managers and the state director's main job is to raise more money for national. The chapters like I said in essence can be great but in practice the organization in my opinion is a scam that preys on the innocent. Don't let them try to tell you that the money goes back to the states, it doesn't except in salaries etc. It rarely if ever benefits a person with a disability directly. It pays the salary for the program manager to 'help' the chapters form friendships with people with disabilities. Noble effort but so much more could be done. Yes they 'may' help students get to Leadership conference but they first force them to create a fundraising page for the organization and get donations from friends and family members. Many students get more than they need to go to LC and raise extra money (in the name of disability support). Comparatively very few students with disabilities benefit from LC. Again, innocent students being duped into thinking their money is benefitting the charitable purpose. Chapters have to conduct fundraisers to pay DUES to national to fund their so-called leadership conference in Indianapolis every year. What is so sad to me is that the students involved love the organization but anyone on the inside can see that it is a self-serving organization that USES the students and buddies to line their own pockets. Find a local organization where the money stays local and give give give to them. Or if you love the organization at the local level DEMAND that your state office be independent of national and be able to keep the money local to fund the chapters and state activities. Always do your research. I am going local to serve and will NEVER serve on the board of a national organization and especially not give a dime ever to Best Buddies again. I think if you look closely too, you will find that the turnover in state directors is evident that something is amiss in this organization. Once really good people find out how it is operated and start to ask questions they are suddenly gone. The whole thing is really disgusting.

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!!!!

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.

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!

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.

This is a great program to promote friendship and social inclusion to those with an Intellectual Disability.

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!

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.

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.

Best Buddies has truly brought something extra special to my life. I am currently a Visual Communication Senior attending Herron School of Art & Design located directly downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. This past semester, spring semester of Junior year, my creative team and I had both the privilege and opportunity to work with Best Buddies Indiana. This semester-long project ended with the delivery of a creative communications campaign that would ultimately better the organization. "Buddy Up", the title of the campaign, serves to gain awareness and spur the interest in getting more people involved within the organization. Many teammates of my group decided to jump in the organization ourselves to gain a real sense of what the organization was all about - given that most of us were completely new to the organization. I soon gained a Buddy, a person with a disability, but I like to label him as a life-long friend. Matt and I talk daily through either the phone (both talk and text) and via Facebook. Matt is considered high-functioning, yet doesn't technically have a label, although he's 27, but has a reading level of a third-grader. He truly knows how to make me smile and laugh in any given situation - for that, I'm thankful. "Buddy Up" just recently launched statewide in 72 high schools and colleges this past fall. It has been an amazing ride with Best Buddies and I know for a doubt it will continue. The stories my team and I have been receiving from area chapters has been absolutely rewarding knowing that not only it's working in gaining interest, but they're having a blast carrying it out. Best Buddies has taught me a great deal of character and has opened up my mind into not being so judgmental. I've learned to look past people's disabilities while in return embracing their abilities.

i volunteered to help autistic students at my high school. i fell in love with it and cannot stop going there everyday. it really made a difference for me.