ADVISOR:
Maureen Buczko

PURPOSE:
Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Best Buddies of Chicopee originated at Chicopee High School a few years back. Chicopee Comprehensive High School has been merged with Chicopee High tobe included in the Chicopee charter, as there could only be one for the city.

MEETING TIMES: Weekly meetings (Buddies Café) in Room 201 on Thursdays; monthly activities posted in Room 208

DUES/FEES: None

SEASON: Year Round

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:
Involvement may be as an associate member or as a buddy member. Associate members are welcome to attend all Best Buddies social activities. Best Buddies socials typically take place once per month and are safe places for Best Buddies Chapter members to spend time together and have fun in a group social environment. Students who wish to become a buddy are matched in a one-to-one friendship with a student at one of the two high schools. Buddies and their matches will attend group events, but are also encouraged to see each other outside of Chapter events. This may be at each other's houses or in the community. The goal is to foster new friendships for those individuals with disabilities that may not have many social opportunities. By introducing Best Buddies into public high schools, participants are crossing the invisible line that too often separates those with disabilities from those without. Today, Best Buddies boasts more than 900 high school chapters worldwide