Thank
you! You’re making a difference.
Message From Our State Director
Dear Friends,
All of us at Best Buddies in Wisconsin extend our deepest appreciation to our wonderful participants, families, volunteers, donors, and corporate partners for such a successful 2025! Your support and dedication to our mission helps our programs grow, creating more inclusive communities throughout our state. Here’s to continued growth in 2026!
In
Friendship,
Laura Brackett State Director
Here’s what we’ve accomplished, Because of your support in 2025
2,775
27,750
One-to-one
Friendships
Meet Nick and Philip
Being matched with my buddy, Nick, has been a wonderful gift, Best Buddies made it all possible. Nick and I bonded over shared interests, we’ve worked together on our chapter’s executive board, and he’s always there for me, as I am there for him. Nick, has shown me what it means to be a good friend, and I want everyone to have a ‘Nick’, in their life that is always there supporting them.”
-Philip
Integrated Employment Program
79
40 Participants Actively Employed Participants
Integrated Employment
Meet Jacob
Jacob is an employee of the Palomino Pines Guest Ranch. During his typical shift you can find Jacob working as a ranch hand caring for horses, maintaining pastures, learning new skills everyday and being a real “cowboy”! He gets to enjoy time with his very own horse Bay Bay!
Thank you for being there for Jacob. We are seeing him grow leaps and bounds as a result of this job. I appreciate you all!”
-Madeline Jacob’s Mom
Leadership Development Program
7 Promoterss Participants In 2 Schools
110 Ambassadors Participants
Leadership Development
Meet Kiontis
Anthony Shiver reminds us that we are not defined by limitations but by our strengths. Every person in this world has a unique gift, a talent meant to be shared. We don’t need magic to make a difference; we only need the courage to be ourselves. So why wait to be a leader? Why wait to step into your greatness? No matter how many obstacles stand in your way, know what you want and go after it. We are the world. We are the children. We are the ones who can make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.”
-Kiontis
(STW ETW) is an ongoing movement to end the hurtful and demeaning use of the word “retard(ed).” Chapters all throughout Wisconsin held a STW ETW awareness event at their respective schools. Our Best Buddies participants raised the consciousness of their classmates about the dehumanizing effects of using the R-Word and encouraged people to stop using the word.
Raised $109,000 1,200 participants, corporate partners and community members walked for inclusion at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk!
In July, 45 leaders from all over Wisconsin, both with and without IDD, attended our 34th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference. They participated in personalized trainings that develop the skills needed to organize and lead a Best Buddies chapter!
Raised $48,704
Golfers from all over Wisconsin came together for the annual Best Buddies Golf Outing and Birdies for Buddies presented by Hive Salon! They teed off at two unforgettable events on the course - all in support of friendship and inclusion!
Raised $230,000
325 supporters came together for our annual Gala in celebration of the collective efforts of our 9 Champions who raised funds and awareness to support our mission!
Champions are made from something they have deep inside of them - a desire, a dream, a vision.” -Mahatma Gandhi
