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Host Site Coordinator Robert Nutbrown shares his Best Buddies experience
The success of Best Buddies relies on the work of many different groups of people involved in the program. There are the students, teachers, host site coordinators and parents, each with a different perspective about the program. Find out what host site coordinator, Robert Nutbrown from C.R.D.I.T.E.D. Estrie in Sherbrooke, Quebec, had to say regarding his experiences with Best Buddies after an astounding eight years!
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Jess and Whitney's Incredible Friendship
Jessica Doyle is one of the chapter presidents at Banting Memorial High School. Her involvement in Best Buddies helped her realize that the little things can make a huge difference in a person's life, and introduced her to a life-long friend. Read her story.
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"Best Buddies lead me to want to pursue a career in special education"
Alessandro Tiano is the chapter president at Cardinal Carter Catholic High School. In her testimonial, Alessandro describes how the program changed her life, including help define her career path. Read her story.
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"Best Buddies is wonderful": Bob Neubauer
Lindsay Neubauer is a Buddy Advocate from the Wilfrid Laurier chapter, taking part in the leadership of the program, helping plan activities and encouraging involvement.
Her father, Bob, provided this great letter about his daughter's involvement.
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"Best Buddies opened doors for my son": Christine Neves
Brandon Neves is involved in the Best Buddies program at Don Mills Collegiate Institute. He and his mother, Christine, attended the Chapters/Indigio "Read All About It" event at Yorkdale mall. Christine expressed her gratitude for the program, and wrote this great letter.
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Amy and Dave
Amy Griffith and Dave Clarkson met during the 2010 school year through the Best Buddies chapter at Wilfrid Laurier's Brantford campus. Within weeks, the pair were spending lots of time together, as Dave prepared for the Special Olympics and Amy helped him train.
Read their story here.
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Cindy and Erika Frostad
Community Living BC celebrated Community Living Month in October 2008 with screenings of "Freedom to Belong" across the province. Produced by Rachel Schmidt, CLBC's Community Relations Specialist, this documentary follows the stories of people who champion the rights of people with developmental disabilities. Part One tells the story of Cindy and Erika Frostad, a mother and daughter who advocate for inclusive communities.
Watch it here.
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Alvin and Alham
Alvin Lee and Alham Fakhry are students at Stephen Lewis Secondary School in Thornhill. The friendship that developed because of their involvement in the Best Buddies program changed both their lives and opened new doors for Alham. They were honoured with the Spirit of Friendship Award at the 2009 Best Buddies Gala.
Read their story here and a letter from Alham's teacher about the friendship here.
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Aaron and Seamus
Aaron and Seamus were matched through the Best Buddies program at Dr. Martin LeBoldus in Regina, Saskatchewan
Aaron's parents said, "Every once in a while, a person comes into your life and leaves a lasting impression. For our son Aaron, Seamus Neary is that person."
Read their story here
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Kateryna and Costantino
Kateryna Aksenchuk is a Campus Coordinator of the Ryerson University chapter of Best Buddies. Her buddy Costantino is a 40 year old with intellectual disabilities. They were honoured with the Spirit of Friendship Award at the 2008 Best Buddies Gala.
Read their story here |
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Maxime’s story
My name is Maxime. I am 24 years old and have a sister, a brother and many friends. I also have a “Buddy” named Éric; I would even consider him another brother. Éric and I share a story of brotherhood and camaraderie. read more |
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Helene's story
As the parent of a young man living with Down Syndrome, I view the Best Buddies program as a true source of discovery and friendship for my child. Thanks to this program, my son has met innumerable university-age people who treat him like a true friend.
En tant que parent d’un jeune homme vivant avec une trisomie 21, je perçois le programme de Vrais Copains comme une véritable source de découverte et d’amitié pour mon enfant. Grâce au programme, mon fils a rencontré d’innombrables personnes d’âge universitaire qui l’ont traité comme ami.
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Victoria and Rita's story
Victoria and Rita were students at Madonna Catholic Secondary School in Toronto. They helped start the chapter at their school and it changed their lives.
Read More.
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Best Buddies at Francis Libermann Catholic High School
Francis Libermann is a high school in Toronto. The Best Buddies program was introduced there during the 2007/08 school year. We received a glowing testimonial from one of the teachers at the school.
Read More.
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Words from our conference participants
During the 14th Annual Leadership and Training Conference in Montreal, Best Buddies asked the participants to explain what Best Buddies means to them. Read some of their responses here.
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Dayna and Janice's story
Dayna and Janice met through the Best Buddies chapter at Queen's University. Find out more about their heart-warming friendship. |
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Beth and Heather's story
Beth and Heather met as part of the Wilfrid Laurier chapter, and shared great experiences through the program. Read their letter. |
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Best Buddies changes perspectives
Danielle Lamb attended our leadership conference, when she was Campus Coordinator at Glendon College. As she relates in her letter, the experience changed her perspective on what’s important in life. |
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10 things I learned from Best Buddies
Eliza Myer and Julie Henshaw created a list of the Top Ten Things they learned from being in Best Buddies. |
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Stories from our Buddy Advocates
Buddy Advocates are members of the chapter leadership team. They are people with disabilities who take part in planning chapter events. These stories come from buddy advocates, and relate how the program changed their lives.
Andy Andrianidis served as Buddy Advocate for the chapter at University of Toronto’s Scarborough campus.
Margaret Muise served as Buddy Advocate for the chapter at the University of New Brunswick's Saint John campus. She wrote this note in 2005.
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Words of support from our community partners
Best Buddies works with a number of partners - community agencies, school boards, and individual schools - to implement our program.
See some testimonials fromt these partners:
Community Living London
Thames Valley District School Board
London District Catholic School Board
Down Syndrome Association of Brantford & District
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Words of our support from parents
In 2007, Best Buddies began introducing its program in British Columbian schools.
Cindy Frostad, the mother of an individual with disabilities, expressed her gratitude for the work of Best Buddies in this great letter.
Ann Carr, the mother of 20-year-old Shane, wrote this letter.
Gerry and Diana McGregor’s daughter Katie received the Spirit of Friendship award in 2003 through her involvement at the McGill University. Her parents attended the annual Gala and wrote this letter about Best Buddies.
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