Equality. Social Acceptance. True Friendship. If you had the chance to offer these things to someone who didn't already have them, would you? Members of Best Buddies have already given their answers--yes.
Best Buddies is a volunteer organization that matches
college students with their peers who have intellectual and developmental
disabilities. It is designed to foster one-on-one relationships that support
equality, social acceptance, and the true meaning of friendship for individuals
who don’t necessarily have opportunities to meet people and make friends like
college students do. Best Buddies Montevallo works with individuals from United
Cerebral Palsy of Birmingham. Students get paired with their “buddies” based
upon a survey that matches their interests.
University of Montevallo student Laura Batt heard of Best
Buddies from a family member who attends another university. Batt was intrigued, so she did some
research and decided it was something we needed at Montevallo.
Members of Best Buddies have certain obligations they are
expected to meet. They must call or e-mail their buddy at least once a week,
and hang out at least twice a month. The buddies do activities any friends
would do together, like eating dinner, going bowling, and watching a movie. UM
student Laven Abercrombie says she and her buddy have recently gone to the
Galleria and made a “build-a-bear” together.
Throughout the school year, the organization hosts events
for the buddies to participate in together. So far this year they have had tons
of fun. They have tye-dyed shirts on the quad, had a Hollywood Movie night, had
a Halloween dance party at UCP, and went to a Braves game together.
To become a member of the organization and get assigned a
“buddy” you have to join at the beginning of the school year. However, all the
events they host are open to the public to come and mingle. The next event is planned
on Valentines day.
To find out more about Best Buddies, visit the national website or Montevallo's chapter website.
If you have a story you would like us to cover or post, email us at UMFalconNewsNetwork@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment