Best Buddies – Vrais Copains Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to enhancing our communities through one-to-one friendships between individuals with intellectual disabilities and students. Best Buddies is grounded in the belief that friendship is important to the development of all individuals and that for all individuals with intellectual disabilities friendship is a medium through which they can become a part of their communities.

A Friendship Program
Our program gives people with intellectual disabilities the chance to have experiences which most people take for granted - going for coffee, out to a movie, or simply enjoying the company of a good friend. To this end, Best Buddies establishes chapters at high schools, universities and colleges across the country. At each chapter students are matched with individuals with intellectual disabilities who share similar interests. The "Buddy Pairs" call each other weekly and get together approximately twice a month. Four times a year all the Buddy Pairs at a chapter hold a group activity. Each chapter is managed by a students volunteer, who is assisted by a person with an intellectual disability, a Buddy Advocate, where possible.

Why Support Best Buddies? Everybody Wins!
Buddies: For a person with an intellectual disability, friendship helps to ease the isolation, disempowerment or loneliness that often deepens the challenges that he or she faces daily. By having a student friend, Buddies are able to explore their world with a peer who brings empathy, laughter and support. Support Best Buddies Today!

Buddy Advocate/Buddy Director
One Buddy at each chapter becomes a part of the Chapter Executive and assumes the role of the Buddy Advocate. Their special role within the chapter is often their first opportunity to be in a leadership role, and the confidence they gain provides a platform for personal growth.

Student Buddies/Peer Buddies
The years from the beginning of high school to the end of university are impressionable ones. Students are often exploring their volunteer role in their communities for the first time. The Best Buddies program allows them to contribute to the community and promote a sense of belonging. A positive volunteering experience may foster a life-long commitment to volunteering and community service. As well, social interaction with people with intellectual disabilities can dramatically change attitudes and help understand the diversity of people and talents within the community.

Buddy Families
With nearly 900,000 Canadians with an intellectual disability, many families face the challenge of caring for a family member with special needs. The Best Buddies program provides a safe and caring way for individuals with intellectual disabilities to become more independent, and enjoy the benefits of a special friendship which extends beyond their family members and paid care providers.

Community Agencies & Organizations
The Best Buddies program works in collaboration with local organizations, such as Associations for Community Living or L'Arche Communities as well as with the Special Education Departments of local high schools. By working together, Best Buddies is able to maximize its resources while enabling community organizations to broaden their programs and provide additional support for their clients.

The Community
By creating friendships, Best Buddies demonstrates to all communities that everyone has a contribution to make.

Learn More about Best Buddies Canada High School and College/University Programs