BEST BUDDIES WOFFORD
OUR STORY
​Every good story starts with inspiration. What's mine? My sister, Alyssa; a 21 year old with autism, hearing impairment, and mild cerebral palsy who has more passion, determination, and confidence than anyone I've ever met. A quality many people with autism possess is being strongly introverted. My sister was no exception; she enjoys time to herself more than almost anything else. As a result, it was hard for my sister to make friends and build the bonds with other people we so often take for granted.

My sister has been involved for programs like Special Olympics and Miracle League for many years, which she did build a few friendships through. However, all of her friends had intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) like her. Alyssa would jump at the chance to talk to or spend time with one of my "normal" friends.

Things changed about two years ago, when my sister became apart of the College of Charleston's chapter of Best Buddies. Once she was paired up with her college buddy, I saw things change immediately. My sister used to groan having to leave the house; now she jumps at the opportunity to attend a Best Buddies event. She is so excited to talk to her buddy, whereas before she would rather people just leave her alone.

Since joining Best Buddies, my sister can now maintain a conversation; she listens; she shows her appreciation for people; she is active; she even is working to become an advocate for people with IDD. I am beyond proud of her and all that she has accomplished.
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What I want to do is give this same opportunity to individuals in the Spartanburg area with IDD. It would be such a blessing to see the lives of so many individuals in the area change like my sister's has due to Best Buddies.
-Emily Bacher
Best Buddies President
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Currently, Best Buddies Wofford is comprised of approximately 20 dedicated, genuine college students looking to leave an impact on the community. We spend time with athletes from the Area 12 Special Olympics individually in our Buddy Pairs and also together when we hold large group events.

Best Buddies Wofford is dedicated to service. We plan to volunteer at numerous Special Olympics events, the Carolina Miracle League, and similar organizations throughout the year.
ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
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Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to almost 1,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 United States, and in 50 countries around the world.
Best Buddies’ eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, and
Promoters — positively impact nearly 700,000 individuals with and without disabilities worldwide. Best Buddies volunteers annually contribute, at no cost to their communities, support services that equate to more than $168 million USD.
As a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with IDD secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. Although Best Buddies has advanced tremendously in its short existence, many areas of the country and many regions of the world still lack programs to help people with IDD become part of mainstream society. With that in mind, Best Buddies is systematically implementing its 2020 Initiative, which will witness the organization’s continued significant growth, both domestically and overseas.
