For most college students, spending time with their friends is an expected part of college life. They go to the movies together, they talk gossip together; occasionally they even take the same classes together.
But for some people, having friends to spend time with is far from an expected reality.
One Buffalo State College program is trying to change that fact. Since 2001, BSC has been facilitating friendships through Best Buddies.
Best Buddies is an international nonprofit organization with a mission “to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment,” according to http://www.bestbuddies.org.
There are more than 360 college chapters worldwide.
“The whole point is to actually be friends with someone,” said Jennifer Dreyer, a senior Exceptional Education student at BSC, who serves as president of the college’s Best Buddies chapter. “We want students to learn that just because someone has a disability, it doesn’t mean they are any different than you. They like the same things, they do the same things.”
Founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989, Best Buddies, according to http://www.bestbuddies.org, matches up volunteers with people who have intellectual disabilities in the hopes of creating a mutually rewarding friendship.
In addition to its college chapters, Best Buddies has multiple programs at the middle school and high school level. There are more than 400,000 people participating worldwide.
The BSC students who volunteer are considered “college buddies,” while the adults with intellectual disabilities are the “buddies.”
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, http://www.ada.gov, an individual is considered to have an intellectual disability when his or her IQ level is below 75, when he or she has limitations in adaptive skills such as communication, home living and self-care, and his or her disability originated before the age of 18.
Besides planned events by the organization, such as movie night and line dancing, Dryer said the volunteers meet with their buddies at least once a month independently, and e-mail or talk over the phone at least once a week.
“It doesn’t have to be difficult,” said Dreyer. “It could be just going out to eat, watching TV, or going to a basketball game.”
Some of the buddies attend BSC, but most come from People Inc., a Western New York organization dedicated to helping improve the lives people with disabilities and their families.
Lynne Sommerstein, an Exceptional Education professor, and the adviser for BSC’s Best Buddies chapter, said the program allows people with disabilities, who normally do not have the opportunity to have acquaintances outside of their own family, a chance to develop meaningful relationships.
While the program is designed to help the buddies establish friendships, it also helps the volunteers break personal barriers. Sommerstein said some college students are hesitant to join the organization because they are not accustomed to being around an individual with disabilities. After students join Best Buddies and establish these types of relationships they become more willing to help people with disabilities. Some have even become outspoken advocates for the rights of the disabled.
“It’s all about connections,” said Sommerstein. “We want to help the buddies make connections within their communities.”
Wayne Dupree, a BSC student, agrees. He is a first-time volunteer and has recently been matched up with his buddy, Dan Banko. The two met at an organized meeting, when many of the volunteers and buddies became acquainted for the first time.
“I think it’s great,” said Dupree. “It gives everybody a chance to meet and talk to new people.”
Dupree and Banko are doing just that.
They are sitting at a table comparing their favorite baseball teams. The sheer size of the auditorium-like room belies the tight-knit connection forming. The laughter from the other volunteers and buddies envelops them. The two have to lean closer just so they can hear each other. After a few minutes of concentrated conversation, Dupree and Banko add to the din with their own laughter.
At the end of the meeting Dreyer asked Banko what he thought of his new college buddy, he replied with a smile, “I like him. He’s alright.”his is the main story body copy paste area. Highlight this text and your copy will pickup this style.