2 minute read
Nonprofit Spotlight: Best Buddies Indiana
BY ANGIE ARLINGTON
Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Mark Lantz shares, “We want to create friendships and help end social isolation. Best Buddies also creates and maintains jobs for people with disabilities.”
Community Support and Events:
• Friendship Ball (similar to a Prom) for our middle school and high school participants.
• Friendship Walk on April 27, 2025 in downtown Indianapolis (free community event supporting inclusion) Register for Friendship Walk: https://www. bestbuddies.org/indiana/friendship-walk
The community can help support Best Buddies in a few ways. “Volunteer at Friendship Walk and other events held by Best Buddies throughout the year. Volunteer to be a friend to a person with a disability in the community,” Mark explained.
TESTIMONIALS:
“Being a part of Best Buddies just gets better and better with each passing year. This organization has really made a positive difference in my life,”
—BEST BUDDIES AMBASSADOR AND PARTICIPANT.
“I appreciate the care and time Best Buddies has always taken to get to know Kelly and find the best job fit for her, and most of all to listen to her and what she wants in a job, instead of just throwing her into any job that’s out there. We’ve seen the worst in job coaches and we have the best now.”
—PARENT OF JOBS PARTICIPANT.
“We want to create friendships and help end social isolation. Best Buddies also creates and maintains jobs for people with disabilities.”
—MARK LANTZ
