Best Buddies: A Model of True Inclusion
Photo from Hamilton Best Buddies.
The official description of the Best Buddies program is “a nonprofit organization that creates one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living opportunities for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).”
At Hamilton High School, this club is more than a Google definition. It creates a community for kids with IDD. When Mrs. Winters, a Best Buddies advisor and teacher at Hamilton, was asked about the club and its benefits, she said, “Best Buddies is a club that promotes one on one friendships for students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.” When asked what this club means to the kids who get a buddy, Winters added, “Our buddies feel genuinely included with the rest of their peers. They can be seen as who they are as a person and not a label.” All of this contributes to the heartwarming aspect of this club.
Best Buddies is a very welcoming club and they want people to be a part of their club. When Winters was asked about what the advisors look for in people who are interested, she said, “We want our peer buddies and associate members to be people who are of character and value inclusion.” When there’s an event, it can be challenging to ensure that everyone is included and enjoying themselves, so having members who genuinely care about others is extremely important for the program to function and the advisors really appreciate it.
The societal impact of Best Buddies is beyond measure. Along with making kids feel included, “This club is important to helping Hamilton High School grow as a school,” says Winters. She also states, “Our goal is to get beyond those labels and create meaningful friendships across all student groups but especially with our students with disabilities.”
Speaking from personal experience, Best Buddies is a very enjoyable club, but there are some aspects students may find challenging. Winters says, “Sometimes students overthink being a peer buddy and struggle to come up with ideas to do with their buddy. Buddies have said some of the best get-togethers have been the simplest, like going to Culvers together for ice cream, making cookies during the holidays or going for a walk.” Even the difficult parts of this club can become fun when you keep it simple and genuinely show how much you care.
While Best Buddies is heavily dominated by student members, the advisors also have a big role. Mrs. Winters says, “Best Buddies is a very large club and we do monthly events outside of the school day which can sometimes be challenging to organize but it is a good problem to have.” When joining Best Buddies, it is important to be grateful and remember that the advisors work hard to make events happen. This club is like a family and it is also important to show up for events when you commit to them. When asked about her favorite part of the club, Mrs. Winters said, “As an advisor, the best is when I see students that are no longer matched as official buddies still hanging out together.”
Touching back on the topic of events. Best Buddies runs many different events each year. The three events that are run every year are, Skyzone, the Brewers Game, and the friendship walk. Winters says, “Other events have been holiday parties, game night, bowling and going to basketball games or the school play.”
For any students who are interested in joining Best Buddies, the main tip Mrs. Winters has is to “be yourself and have fun.” Mrs. Winters’ last comment was, “We always take new members! Stop by room 16 or email Lauren Houts, our president!”
