Charity
Our Official Charity Partner for Race 13.1 Baltimore is Best Buddies Maryland!
If you are interested in fundraising opportunities for your charity through our race, please contact info@race131.com for more information!
Click here to watch a short video to learn more about Best Buddies!
Mission statement:
To establish 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). It is often said that we are the product of the company that we keep. Given a choice, we surround ourselves with people who challenge us, comfort us, lift us up, and make us feel at home. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, however, do not often have this choice. Years of isolation in school and in the community contribute to overwhelming loneliness as they struggle to find where they fit. Having a disability does not change the deep desire to be known by a true friend, and to be one in return.
THE SOLUTION
Best Buddies’ programs allow students and adults with disabilities to engage in age-appropriate social activities through one-to-one friendships with their peers. By attending once-a-month group activities and talking with their new friend at least once a week, people with disabilities get to experience friendship that we might take for granted—all while building a life-giving social network outside of their families and service providers.
IMAGINE
Imagine: a 13-year old boy with Down syndrome eating lunch in the cafeteria, laughing with a group of friends. A young woman with special needs attending a costume party with peers her own age, instead of trick-or-treating in the neighborhood with her much younger siblings. A group of teens with and without disabilities hanging out, doing things together that are both fun and satisfying to our most basic need— the need for connection.
YOU CAN HELP
We are building a network of volunteers who can make this vision a reality. We need you to help us expand our vision to new schools and communities. There are countless ways to get involved: sign up as an event volunteer, get paired with an adult buddy, start a chapter at your school, make a donation, or simply spread the word about our movement. With your support, we can ensure that every student and adult with an intellectual or developmental disability gets to experience true friendship. Find out more at www.bestbuddies.org/maryland today!
To establish 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). It is often said that we are the product of the company that we keep. Given a choice, we surround ourselves with people who challenge us, comfort us, lift us up, and make us feel at home. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, however, do not often have this choice. Years of isolation in school and in the community contribute to overwhelming loneliness as they struggle to find where they fit. Having a disability does not change the deep desire to be known by a true friend, and to be one in return.
THE SOLUTION
Best Buddies’ programs allow students and adults with disabilities to engage in age-appropriate social activities through one-to-one friendships with their peers. By attending once-a-month group activities and talking with their new friend at least once a week, people with disabilities get to experience friendship that we might take for granted—all while building a life-giving social network outside of their families and service providers.
IMAGINE
Imagine: a 13-year old boy with Down syndrome eating lunch in the cafeteria, laughing with a group of friends. A young woman with special needs attending a costume party with peers her own age, instead of trick-or-treating in the neighborhood with her much younger siblings. A group of teens with and without disabilities hanging out, doing things together that are both fun and satisfying to our most basic need— the need for connection.
YOU CAN HELP
We are building a network of volunteers who can make this vision a reality. We need you to help us expand our vision to new schools and communities. There are countless ways to get involved: sign up as an event volunteer, get paired with an adult buddy, start a chapter at your school, make a donation, or simply spread the word about our movement. With your support, we can ensure that every student and adult with an intellectual or developmental disability gets to experience true friendship. Find out more at www.bestbuddies.org/maryland today!
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