Best Buddies - Regina Chapter

Best Buddies - Regina Chapter

Best Buddies

University of Regina Chapter on the web

A site of information, inspiration and celebration

Buddies enjoying bowling

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. And never doubt that a small group of students can make the world a more just and humane place. Indeed, they already have."

- Margaret Mead

"A friend is a gift you give yourself" -Robert Louis Stevenson

What is Best Buddies?

It is a university - based volunteer program designed to foster friendships between students and individuals in their communities who have intellectual disabilities.

How are these friendships formed?

After being paired with a "buddy" with whom you will share common interests, you will develop your friendship through weekly contact, getting together twice a month and participating in 4 group activities throughout the year with other buddy pairs.

I have little experience interacting with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Can I still join?

Yes, of course! Best Buddies is about coming together, having fun and learning from and about each other. Your Campus Coordinator, Amanda, as well as your Host Site Coordinator, Faith, will be there for you throughout the year with support and encouragement. They will be sure to give you all the information and guidance you need to begin and continue your friendship with your Buddy.

Can just anybody become a "student buddy" and get paired with a "buddy"?

Yes, as long as you are a student at the University of Regina.

Not everyone involved with Best Buddies decides to be paired with a buddy. Some people do not feel they have enough time to commit to developing a friendship individually with a buddy. These people can become "associate members", which means that they are not paired up with a buddy in a one - on - one, but they can attend group activities, help with fundraising and just make the school year a success with their enthusiasum and support.

"Associate members" are very important. Sometimes after being an associate member for a time, people decide to become a student buddy and commit to developing a friendship with a buddy one - on - one.

To be an "associate member" one must still participate in an interview with the "Campus Coordinator" and the "Host Site Coordinator", as well as supply 2 references and a police record check.

For more information, click on the link below to visit the official Best Buddies Canada website.

http://www.bestbuddies.ca/indexHighRes.html

Thank you to all who attended the Info. session!

Best Buddies is grounded in the belief that friendship is important to the development of all individuals and that for individuals with intellectual disabilities, friendship is a medium through which they can integrate more fully into their communities. Our program gives people with intellectual disabilities the chance to have experiences which most people take for granted - going for coffee, out to a movie, or enjoying the company of a good friend. To this end, Best Buddies establishes chapters at high schools, universities and colleges across the country. At each chapter students are matched with individuals with intellectual disabilities who share similar interests. The "Buddy Pairs" call each other weekly and get together approximately twice a month. Four times a year all the Buddy Pairs at a chapter hold a group activity. Each chapter is managed by a student volunteer, who is assisted by a person with an intellectual disability, the Buddy Advocate, where possible.

E-mail: bestbuddiescc@yahoo.com with any questions, comments or concerns or to become involved in the Regina chapter. You can also click below:

bestbuddiescc@yahoo.com

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