You’re making a difference.
Message From Our State Director
Dear Friends,
All of us at Best Buddies in Maine 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.
Happy Holidays to you and yours and here’s to continued growth in 2026!
In
Friendship,
Rebecca Williams State Director
Here’s what we’ve accomplished, Because of your support in 2025
Total Chapters
1,700 Total Participants
17,000 Impacted Counties
One-to-one
Friendships
Meet Brigid and Mariza
After high school, when my friends went off to college, I didn’t have anyone my age to hang out with. I would go to my outpatient program and then come home. Now that I’m in Best Buddies, I do more in my free time, and I’ve met lots of new people, like my buddy Mariza. We do fun things together, like baking holiday cookies during Christmas, and even a photo shoot for Toad & Co. My friendship with Mariza is special to me.”
Transitions Program
30
285 Participants with IDD Hours of Content Delivered
Transitions Program
Meet Carlos
For me, belonging didn’t come right away. It took time, and it took finding the right outlet, like art, that helped me express who I am. I’ve learned that when we create space for each other to be seen and heard, we all grow stronger.
- Carlos
150 Ambassadors Trained
31 Hours of Content Delivered to Ambassadors
Leadership Development
Meet Madison
I love Best Buddies! It is important to me because it has helped me build friendships between people with and without special needs. Best Buddies helps me feel valued and included."
-Madison
Best Buddies Friendship Ball
This year, we were able to host TWO incredible evenings - one in Portland at Unum, and one at Bangor High School!
Both were unforgettable nights with over 400 of our closest friends in total - gathered for music, dancing, and friendship!
Best
Buddies Maine was this year’s Beach to Beacon beneficiary!
The funds raised allowed us to hire a new program manager, helping us grow to even more communities.
We also hosted the Walk, Run and Roll which engaged over 100 participants with disabilities, the largest attendance in Beach to Beacon history!
Raised $103,000
Nearly 1,100 participants, corporate partners and community members walked for inclusion at both our Bangor and Portland Walks!
In July, nearly 50 leaders from all over Maine, both with and without IDD, attended our 34th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference. They participated in personalized trainings that will help them better lead their chapters. And this year, Brewer High School was awarded the Overall Outstanding Chapter of the Year award out of 1,600+ high schools nationwide!
Over 600 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! Raised $317,000
Champions are made from something they have deep inside of them - a desire, a dream, a vision.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Stay Connected!
Here are ways you can support our work:
Attend our Best Buddies Friendship Walk this Spring in Bangor or Portland!
Help us get our future leaders to Leadership Conference by sponsoring a student’s travel costs!
Become a Champion or attend our Champion of the Year Gala on October 23, 2026!
Become a friend! We always need more individuals without disabilities to join our adult friendship program, Citizens. Email Maine@bestbuddies.org to learn more!
