2008 Woodie Awards
"Best Buddies" breaks the mold
Samantha Marinko
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Features
A place where unlikely friendships form and self-discovery is infinite - "Best Buddies" college programs offer students at Sacred Heart University a unique opportunity to make friends with people they never would have expected.
"Best Buddies is an international organization that focuses on creating friendships for people with intellectual disabilities," said sophomore Colleen Hellman, president of the Sacred Heart chapter of Best Buddies.
Since "Best Buddies" was founded in 1989, the program has grown from just one chapter to an excess of 1,300 campuses across the world, said the "Best Buddies" Web site. There are currently 350,000 individuals involved in the program.
This year Sacred Heart has 22 buddies and college students that are matched in one-to-one friendships. The students speak almost daily with their buddies, and once a week at the very least. They also meet with their buddies at least twice a month," said Hellman.
"I talk to [my buddy] every day, and when we are together we have so much fun," said junior Kelly DiFabio, membership coordinator of "Best Buddies" at Sacred Heart.
Di Fabio's buddy's name is Chris.
"He is in his mid-40's which would make it seem like it would be hard to have a lot in common, but we are best friends," said DiFabio.
To aid the communication, the Sacred Heart chapter holds monthly events.
Some of those events include a Halloween party, a Thanksgiving dinner, a holiday celebration (that included live musical entertainment), attendance at a Sacred Heart women's basketball game, a bowling trip and a barbeque.
"We have made great strides in making it much better and more known this year," said Katherine Martel, chair of advertising for the Sacred Heart chapter of "Best Buddies".
The last event for this year is going to be an Oscar-themed dance in the University Commons.
"We are having a DJ, pasta dinner, and awards ceremony giving each of the buddies a "Buddy Oscar" recognizing them for something special about them," said Hellman.
Aside from the 22 students who are matched with buddies, there are an additional 30 students who work to coordinate the monthly events.
Emilie Latainer and Gine Leone are the activity coordinators for "Best Buddies". They also assist in set-up and facilitating events, as well as interacting with the buddies.
"Best Buddies", despite its growth and success since established nearly 20 years ago, is still looking to expand and build new friendships.
"Best Buddies is an international organization that focuses on creating friendships for people with intellectual disabilities," said sophomore Colleen Hellman, president of the Sacred Heart chapter of Best Buddies.
Since "Best Buddies" was founded in 1989, the program has grown from just one chapter to an excess of 1,300 campuses across the world, said the "Best Buddies" Web site. There are currently 350,000 individuals involved in the program.
This year Sacred Heart has 22 buddies and college students that are matched in one-to-one friendships. The students speak almost daily with their buddies, and once a week at the very least. They also meet with their buddies at least twice a month," said Hellman.
"I talk to [my buddy] every day, and when we are together we have so much fun," said junior Kelly DiFabio, membership coordinator of "Best Buddies" at Sacred Heart.
Di Fabio's buddy's name is Chris.
"He is in his mid-40's which would make it seem like it would be hard to have a lot in common, but we are best friends," said DiFabio.
To aid the communication, the Sacred Heart chapter holds monthly events.
Some of those events include a Halloween party, a Thanksgiving dinner, a holiday celebration (that included live musical entertainment), attendance at a Sacred Heart women's basketball game, a bowling trip and a barbeque.
"We have made great strides in making it much better and more known this year," said Katherine Martel, chair of advertising for the Sacred Heart chapter of "Best Buddies".
The last event for this year is going to be an Oscar-themed dance in the University Commons.
"We are having a DJ, pasta dinner, and awards ceremony giving each of the buddies a "Buddy Oscar" recognizing them for something special about them," said Hellman.
Aside from the 22 students who are matched with buddies, there are an additional 30 students who work to coordinate the monthly events.
Emilie Latainer and Gine Leone are the activity coordinators for "Best Buddies". They also assist in set-up and facilitating events, as well as interacting with the buddies.
"Best Buddies", despite its growth and success since established nearly 20 years ago, is still looking to expand and build new friendships.
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