Citizens

Best Buddies Citizens is our adult friendship program, and it fosters friendships between people with intellectual disabilities and volunteers from their local communities. Buddy pairs spend time together twice every month, and stay in touch by phone or email on a weekly basis.  People with intellectual disabilities benefit by having an immediate antidote to the loneliness and isolation that often fill their lives, and they also have the chance to learn important social skills and participate in their broader communities in a meaningful way.  Volunteers without intellectual disabilities meet a new friend, and gain the opportunity to experience life from a whole new perspective. 

For information on getting involved in Best Buddies Citizens in Western Massachusetts, please e-mail Christopher Watkins or call (413) 259-1914

How to Become a Citizen Buddy

Step One: Application Process
1. Complete the Membership Application and Matching Survey.
2 Hand out the two Personal Reference Forms and follow up to ensure they have been returned to Best Buddies.

Step Two: Home Visit
Your Program Manager will schedule a home visit at your convenience. The purpose of the visit is for Best Buddies to become more familiar with you. This will enable Best Buddies to make the best match possible.

Step Three: Background Check
All applicants must complete a criminal background check.

Step Four: Matching
After the completion of the application and screening process, matches will be made by the Program Manager pairing individuals with similar interests who live within 10-15 miles of each other. Please be patient while your Program Manager selects a suitable Buddy for you.

Step Five: Introductions
The introduction meeting allows the Citizen Buddy, Buddy and Sponsor to become acquainted with each other and determine if you feel compatible with each other. If the meeting goes well then a Best Buddies friendship is made. If not, Best Buddies will work to find someone else to match you with.

This is an important aspect of Best Buddies, because it gives you and your Buddy complete control over the matching process. This aspect also gives Best Buddies the best opportunity to create a friendship that will last.

Step Six: Your Best Buddy
How your friendship develops is up to you and your Buddy. Once you are paired, Best Buddies lets you develop your friendship independently at your own pace, keeping in mind the requirements of the program. Get to know your Buddy to see what you will enjoy doing together. Have fun discovering all the wonders your new friendship has to offer.

One-to-One Outings
By far, the most important aspect of Best Buddies is the one-to-one outings; when you and your Buddy spend time together. What you choose to do will depend largely upon the types of activities the two of you are interested in.

Group Outings
Group outings bring the members of the organization together for a shared experience. You can meet and interact with other individuals involved with Best Buddies. Several outings occur annually.

For information on getting involved in Best Buddies Citizens, please contact Massachusetts@bestbuddies.org.