A buddy now. A Friend for life.
Our history Best Buddies was founded in 1989 by Anthony Shriver as a vibrant, international and nonprofit organization. Best Buddies Jacksonville was founded in 1995. This organization has grown from one original chapter to nearly 1,500 middle school, high school and college chapters worldwide. Best Buddies is comprised of eight formal programs that positively impacts nearly 700,000 individuals.
Our mission and Values Our mission is 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.) We envision a world where people with IDD are successfully integrated into our schools, workplaces and general communities.
How we make a difference When people with intellectual disabilities are unable to obtain or maintain a job, it is most often due to an absence of social skills rather than an inadequacy to perform the work required. Best Buddies introduces socialization opportunities and job coaching, providing the necessary tools for people with intellectual disabilities to become more independent and, consequently, more included in the community.
Current/PAST SPONSORS and donors Audi Jacksonville PSS World Medical Publix Wal-Mart Vallencourt Construction Durbin Crossing Sessions Realty Law Office of Joe Van Rooy Gray Robinson Gartner, Brock, Simon Malnove Packaging Stellar TD Bank Ameris Bank The Jacksonville Landing Liberty Property Trust Hyatt Regency Riverfront The Crown Plaza Coke Pepsi Target Copytronics Sleiman Enterprises M.M. Grinnan
Corporate Video
Featuring some of the most spectacular desserts from Jacksonville vendors. Participants may sample these sweet bites while browsing the Best Buddies silent art auction. Best Buddies Jacksonville annually hosts a casino night of fun, food and entertainment for all of its participants and supporters. Attendees will also enjoy lavish hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, desserts, music, a silent auction, a raffle and an exciting prize for the top winner.
Middle and high school students from the area attended the socially-integrated prom for students both with and without IDD. The Friendship Walk changes lives as participants walk for inclusion, friendship, leadership, and opportunities for people with and without IDD.
CONTACT US Erika Hatch, Area Director Phone: 904-296-0510 Fax: 904-296-0511 Best Buddies Jacksonville 4130 Salisbury Road, Suite 2200 Jacksonville, Florida 33629 www.BestBuddiesFlorida.org