2014 BestBuddies Massachussetts Annual Report

Trae & Jesyah
Middle School Buddies

ANNUAL REPORT 2014



BESTBUDDIES® Three Mission Pillars:
One-to-One Integrated Leadership
Friendships Employment Development

Annual Report 2014

Table Of Contents

Message From Our Chairman 1

Why We Matter 2

Mission, Vision and Goals 3

Best Buddies Programs 4

Who We Are

- Global Programs Snapshot 5

- Milestones 6

One-to-One Friendships 8-9

- Middle School, High School, Colleges, Citizens and e-Buddies 10

- Friendship Program Participant Story - Eric Matthes 12-13

Integrated Employment 14-15
- BESTBUDDIES® Jobs 16
- Did You Know? 16

- Jobs Highlights 17

- Jobs Program Participant Story - Billy O'Brien 18-19

Leadership Development 20-21

- Ambassadors and Promoters 22

- Leadership Development Participant Story - Charles Calhoun 24-25

Signature Event Highlights

- National Events 27-29

- I'm In To Hire Campaign 29

Financial Statement

- Where The Dollar Goes 30

- Consolidated Statement of Activities 30

- Balance Sheet 31

Our Leaders

- Board of Directors 32

- Executive Team 33

Meet Our Supporters

- Corporations 34-35

- Individuals 35

- Foundations 35-36

- Government 37

- In-Kind 37

- Top Team Fundraisers 37-38

Participating Employers 38-39

Special Thanks To 39

Our Global Movement 40-41

Best Buddies Massachusetts 42-47

WHO WE ARE

Cat & Courtnie
Middle School Buddies

Anthony Kennedy Shriver Dear Friends,
Founder & Chairman
Best Buddies Challenge: This past year I spent a lot of time reflecting on the progress
Hyannis Port 2014 that Best Buddies has made, and as I look towards 2015,
I am motivated and inspired to continue pouring my heart
and soul into impacting the lives of people with intellectual
and developmental disabilities (IDD). In 2014, Best Buddies
launched its I’m In To Hire campaign which brings to light the
business benefits of hiring people with IDD.

The movement has garnered pledges on its website and via
social media from more than 100,000 people who committed
to advocating for an inclusive workplace. We plan to double
that number in the year to come and continue the campaign’s
steady growth over the next 10 years. I am confident that
we can achieve our goal of getting one million unemployed
individuals with IDD off the sidelines and integrated into the
workforce. Additionally, our 2020 Initiative still remains at the forefront of my mind and I will never lose hope for our vision – to put
Best Buddies out of business!

Twenty-five years ago seemed like an eternity when I was in college and first started Best Buddies at Georgetown University. If
someone had told me that 25 years later I’d see individuals with IDD working for an investment firm while earning $40,000 a year,
participating in its pension plan and receiving full healthcare benefits; reporting for a national television show; testifying in front
of Congress; and delivering the keynote address at an annual corporate conference in Silicon Valley, I would not have believed
any of it. Yet here I am, 25 years later, having witnessed not just one, but all of these remarkable achievements!

This organization has grown into the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted solely to providing opportunities for
friendships, jobs and leadership development for people with IDD. Best Buddies continues to be an organization full of energy,
enthusiasm, passion, focus and hard work.

I would like to applaud our participants with and without IDD, as well as their families, who prove each and every day that
disabilities are a natural part of the world’s social fabric and that diversity enhances all of our lives. The power of mutually
rewarding relationships in enhancing the lives of people with IDD has always been recognized by Best Buddies and our
supporters. Our Global Ambassadors continue to grow and attend our events, speaking on behalf of people with IDD. They are
remarkable advocates for people with IDD and for themselves.

Similarly, our Jobs program continues to provide employment to people with IDD, and offer them the chance to become more
independent and gain the respect of their friends, family, and co-workers. The Best Buddies Friendship programs are even more
inspirational 25 years later and continue to promote friendship and social inclusion throughout the United States and 52 other
countries. I can’t even begin to imagine what the next 25 years will bring to Best Buddies!

Life has no greater joy than the satisfaction of contributing one’s time and energy to the enrichment of another person’s life; the
act of giving is the most rewarding manner by which to conduct each of our lives. On behalf of the 900,000 individuals whose
lives are impacted by Best Buddies, I extend our sincerest gratitude to all of our supporters, participants, volunteers, and staff
and to everyone who makes our mission possible.

In friendship,

Anthony K. Shriver
Founder and Chairman
Best Buddies International

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Cate & Syd
High School Buddies

Ziad
Global Ambassador

Barbara, Jobs Program Participant
Bob Friedman, Partner, Holland & Knight

Why We Matter

Over the past 50 years, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have gained many rights that have improved
their lives. Yet, our society is still far from inclusive. Tragically, a great number of people within the IDD community are stereotyped,
marginalized and live life as an invisible minority, often times unemployed and without the simple joys of genuine friendships that
others may take for granted. As one study notes, “Legal mandates cannot, however, mandate acceptance by peers, neighbors,
fellow employees, employers or any of the other groups of individuals who directly impact the lives of people with disabilities."*
This is where Best Buddies International comes into play. Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending
the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with IDD. For individuals within this community, Best
Buddies serves as a lifeline to creating life-long friendships, securing successful jobs, living independently and feeling valued
and respected by society.
Currently, an estimated 84% of adults (18+) with developmental disabilities do not have a paid job in the community. The Best
Buddies Jobs program has participants employed full-time who each have the potential to earn a total income upwards of $1
million over 30 years and contribute $250,000 in taxes back into the economy, rather than costing the government approximately
$750,000 each in Federal SSI and Medicaid support during that time period.
This is just one of many key examples of how Best Buddies is working to improve quality of life for individuals with IDD. Through
the creation of meaningful, lasting one-to-one friendships with peers without disabilities and the promotion of integrated
employment opportunities, Best Buddies is changing the world one friendship, one job and one leader at a time.
For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org.

*Teen Attitudes Toward Individuals with Mental Retardation, 2002

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Best Buddies International is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic
isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs help people
with IDD form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public
speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.

Mission

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that
creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with IDD.

Vision

To put BESTBUDDIES® out of business. Best Buddies envisions a world where people with IDD are so successfully integrated
into schools, workplaces, and communities that its efforts and services will be unnecessary. Until that vision becomes a reality,
the organization will continue to educate middle school, high school and college students, community members, corporations,
and employers about the emotional, functional, and natural needs and abilities of people with IDD.

Who We Serve

The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, Autism, Fragile X,
Williams syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

Goals | The 2020 Initiative

Best Buddies created the 2020 initiative in 2011, with the goal of opening offices in all 50 states by the end of 2020. The
initiative also includes plans to train 4,000 Buddy Ambassadors, develop 1,000 jobs for people with IDD around the world, and
increase the number of school-based chapters to 2,500. As a result of these ambitious efforts, Best Buddies hopes to become
a household name by the end of 2020.

Programs

Best Buddies programs sit on three key pillars listed below:

One-To-One Friendships Integrated Employment Leadership Development

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One-To-One Friendships

Builds friendships between people with and without IDD, offering social mentoring while improving the quality of life and level of

inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded.

BESTBUDDIES® Middle Schools, e-BUDDIES®
High Schools and Colleges Offers an e-mail program, in which a participant with IDD
Creates an inclusive school environment for students communicates online with a friend without IDD.
with IDD during times of social and emotional development.

BESTBUDDIES® Citizens
Helps adults with and without IDD develop meaningful
friendships and become more involved in their local
communities.

Integrated Employment

Secures integrated employment for people with IDD, allowing them to earn an income, pay taxes, and continuously and
independently support themselves.

BESTBUDDIES® Jobs
Matches skilled, qualified individuals with IDD with businesses seeking enthusiastic and dedicated employees. Through the Jobs
program, Best Buddies develops partnerships with employers, assists with the hiring process and provides ongoing support to
the employee and employer.

An estimated 84% of adults (18+) with developmental disabilities do not have a paid

job in the community. The Best Buddies Jobs program has participants employed full

time who each have the potential to earn a total income upwards of $1mm over 30

years and contribute $250k in taxes back into the economy, rather than costing the

government approximately $750k each in Federal SSI and Medicaid support during

that time period. National Core Indicators 2013-14

Leadership Development

Educates and empowers people with and without IDD, to become leaders, public speakers and advocates.

BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors BESTBUDDIES® Promoters
Offers people with and without IDD the opportunity to gain the Empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD
public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed and help open new Best Buddies chapters and programs by
to successfully advocate for themselves, their peers and organizing special events that promote awareness to the disability
Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government. rights movement.

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Global Programs Snapshot: 2014

1,972

50 STATES 6 CONTINENTS 54 COUNTRIES

MIDDLE SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS COLLEGES

313 7,344 54,890 419 25,478

5,778 2,256

658 Average Total Weekly Hours Worked:
13,695.60

Average Total Yearly Hours Worked:
671,084.40

Average Total Yearly Wages Earned:
$7,918,795.92

Average Total Yearly Taxes Paid:
$1,583,759.18

109 3,311

*BESTBUDDIES® Jobs participants stats as of December 31, 2014: Average hourly wage = $11.80. Average hours worked per week = 20.2.
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WHO WE ARE

MILESTONES

Year One
Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded the original Best Buddies Chapter while a junior at Georgetown University in 1987.

1989 – 1993
• Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization on January 19, 1989, BESTBUDDIES® becomes America’s
first national, unified, social, and recreational program for people with IDD.
• The Best Buddies Fine Art Collection is developed, featuring masterpieces by Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein
and Robert Rauschenberg.
• Best Buddies hosts the first unified Leadership Conference, training both college student leaders and people
with IDD by providing intensive lessons in public speaking, management, team building, problem solving and
leadership skills.
• Best Buddies launches BESTBUDDIES® Citizens with the goal of pairing adults with IDD with their non-
disabled working peers.

1994 – 1998
• Best Buddies launches BESTBUDDIES® Jobs, a supported employment program, targeting high-paying,
white-collar jobs for people with IDD in Florida, California and Massachusetts.
• Best Buddies establishes BESTBUDDIES® High Schools with the goal of pairing special education students
in one-to-one friendships with high school volunteers.
• The BESTBUDDIES® Middle Schools pilot program is launched, reaching out to an even younger age group
with the hope that inclusion of people with IDD will have a lasting effect on societal norms for the next generation.

1999 – 2006
• e-BUDDIES® is launched as a cutting-edge online friendship program.
• Best Buddies launches the most successful fundraising event in its history, the nationally televised inaugural
Volvo Hearst Castle Challenge, a 100-mile bike ride along the Pacific Coast Highway chaired by California
First Lady Maria Shriver.
• For the first time, Best Buddies has programs in all 50 of the United States and on six continents.

2007 – 2011
• Best Buddies celebrates 20 years of friendships and jobs in 2009.
• In honor of its 20th anniversary, Best Buddies updates it mission statement to: “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).”
• For the first time, Best Buddies has programs in 50 countries around the world.
• BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors becomes Best Buddies’ seventh formal program.

2012-Present
• BESTBUDDIES® Jobs expands to Washington D.C. and San Francisco, CA.
• BESTBUDDIES® Promoters officially launches as the organization’s eighth program for the 2012-2013 school
year. It is the first Best Buddies program open to elementary schools.
• Best Buddies celebrates its 25th anniversary.
• Best Buddies launches I’m In To Hire campaign to promote the business benefits of hiring people with IDD.

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Hannah & Nila
High School Buddies

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One-to-One
Friendships

Without love, support and friends life would be empty
– a life people with IDD have often been forced to live
throughout history. Best Buddies offers people with IDD
the chance to have a friend, to gain self confidence and
self-esteem, and to share interests, experiences and
activities that many other individuals enjoy.

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One-to-One Friendships

Middle Schools | High Schools | Colleges

In today’s schools, students with IDD often enter the same building and walk the same hallways as their peers, but they are left
out of social activities. These students miss out on so many key elements of the school experience such as finding friends to sit
by at lunch, attending homecoming or prom, joining a club, or meeting a friend with whom to share their experiences.
Best Buddies offers students with IDD the chance to have a friend and to share interests, experiences and activities that so many
other students their age enjoy. The Middle School, High School and College programs pair students with IDD in one-to-one
mentoring friendships with students without IDD. Each student agrees to a one year commitment in which they will call and go
on an outing with their buddy at least once a week.
The Best Buddies mentoring friendship programs offer a peer mentoring relationship that affects both the person with and the
person without IDD. Not only do our programs create a lasting friendship, but they begin to facilitate an environment of inclusion
throughout the school and in the community.

Citizens

For people with IDD, the void of meaningful friendships extends into adulthood. After age 21, some individuals with IDD may
never spend time with anyone besides a paid caretaker and family. Best Buddies Citizens pairs adults with IDD in one-to-one
friendships with other individuals in corporate and civic communities. Volunteers are sharing their time and energy with new
friends. Citizen buddy pairs are asked to commit to a one-year relationship during which the pair agrees to talk once a week and
see each other twice a month. These relationships usually grow into friendships that last for years to come.

e-BUDDIES®

Computers are an integral part of society, yet only 54% of people with disabilities report using a computer or other electronic
device to access the internet.* Compared to 85% of adults without a disability who use computers, it is apparent that people
with disabilities need more opportunities to interact on the computer and gain a valuable skill set necessary in today’s society.
By joining e-Buddies, participants can develop the skills necessary to become technology-literate, and therefore, able to
compete for higher-level employment and to communicate using a variety of sources.
e-Buddies is an e-mail pen pal program that pairs people with IDD in one-to-one e-mail friendships with peer volunteers who do not
have IDD. Participants from the 50 U.S. states, as well as, international participants from various countries are matched based on
age, gender and common interests. e-Buddies agree to e-mail each other at least once a week for one calendar year. This program
offers a safe way to make a new friend and connect with someone across the country.
In 2014, e-Buddies served 2,131 total participants. These participants exchanged more than 52,000 e-mails, and also posted
more than 600 messages on the e-Buddies Community message boards. e-Buddies was also used as a teaching tool in the
classroom by over 75 special education teachers and other disabilities professionals across the country.

*Kessler Foundation 2012

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FRIENDSHIPS / JOBS / LEADERSHIP

Matthew & Max Anthony
High School Buddies e-Buddies Program Participant

Lorri & Crystal
Citizens Buddies

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One-to-One Friendships

Program Participants

Eric Matthes & Ryan Trebon

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FRIENDSHIPS / JOBS / LEADERSHIP

Eric receiving a medal after crossing the
finish line, during the 2008 Best Buddies

Challenge: Hearst Castle

Ambassador speech during
Leadership Conference 2008

Eric & Kenny G. Eric & Carl Lewis
Best Buddies Challenge

Hearst Castle 2014

ERIC "Hi, I’m Eric Matthes, and I live in Seattle. I have Down syndrome and I’m a self advocate.
MATTHES That means I like to stand up for myself and make responsible choices in my own life. I
chose to celebrate friendship with you and Best Buddies! That is MY responsible choice!

When I was in kindergarten, I found out that I had a disability. I was called “RETARDED.”

Before that I didn’t even know I had a disability. I felt hurt, sad and confused. There were also people who heard me being called

names but did nothing. Although they were not making fun of me, they did not support me as a friend. Thankfully, my teachers

and true friends made me realize I had the power to overcome my sad feelings. I learned that although my disability is part of

my life, I AM NOT MY DISABILITY!

I have made a difference in the world. I am making a difference through Best Buddies! This is what we do here! We make a
difference…one friendship at a time! I want to show the world that even though I have a disability, I can do ANYTHING I put my
mind to. Best Buddies shows that people with disabilities like me can live our lives to their utmost potential! Friendship is the
fuel that makes this happen!"

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Dudley
Jobs Program Participant

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Integrated
Employment

Since its inception, Best Buddies Jobs has assisted
thousands of participants in earning an income, paying
taxes, receiving benefits, and working in an environment
alongside others in the community. The Jobs program
offers the opportunity for people with IDD to become
financially independent through their own efforts, and
removes the need for government reliance or parental
support. This program focuses on white-collar jobs,
which sets it apart from so many others, because Best
Buddies assists individuals in careers that are not only
enjoyable, but also competitive and inclusive.

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Integrated Employment

BESTBUDDIES® Jobs Did You Know?

Best Buddies Jobs continues the integration of people with • Work plays a central role in the lives of many persons with
IDD into the community through employment. Best Buddies IDD, and studies of supported work have shown that these
Jobs is a supported employment program that secures employees desire paid employment to the same degree as
competitive, paying jobs for people with IDD. This program young adults without disabilities. (Cordes & Howard, 2005;
helps individuals with IDD maintain jobs of their own choosing Ferrari, Nota & Soresi, 2008; Griffen, 1996; Reid & Bray, 1997)
by providing ongoing support and training, enabling people
with IDD to earn an income, receive benefits such as health • Many people with IDD want to work in integrated “real world”
insurance, pay taxes and work in an environment alongside employment situations. In 2007, only 26% of those employed
others in the community. were working in integrated employment settings. The rest
were supported in sheltered employment, day rehabilitation
The Jobs program places focus beyond the typical jobs in which services or non work community integration programs. (The
a person with IDD might be placed. Best Buddies focuses on Arc 2012)
white collar jobs such as: receptionist, mailroom assistant, file
clerk, lead fulfillment team member, office assistant, front desk • The majority of adults with IDD are either unemployed or
assistant, courtesy clerk and retail associate. underemployed, despite their ability, desire, and willingness
to engage in meaningful work in the community. The United
Best Buddies prides itself on developing jobs in professional States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that in
environments. Employers range from some of the top law firms January 2010, the percentage of people with disabilities
and talent agencies to well-known retail businesses and luxury in the labor force was 21.8% compared with 70.1% for
hotels. These job placements set Best Buddies Jobs above persons with no disability. (The Arc 2012)
so many other programs because individuals are placed in
careers that they not only enjoy, but also that are competitive • A 2012 report by the Return on Disability Company, stated
and inclusive. The Best Buddies Jobs program is active in the “...a brand that stands for innovations and messaging that
following eight states: California, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, supports greater inclusion of people with disabilities, by
Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico and Virginia. extension, stands for innovations and messaging that
support greater inclusion for everyone.” This shows that not
Best Buddies Jobs furthers the integration of people with only are companies supporting people with IDD in gaining
intellectual and developmental disabilities into the community employment opportunities and becoming independent, but
through supported employment. Our focus is on developing also their brand begins to represent an inclusion for everyone
competitive, integrated jobs that allow participants to earn mentality, thus pushing the movement and benefits even further.
an income, pay taxes, and work in an environment alongside
their peers in the community, leading to full inclusion and self Best Buddies Jobs has given me the resources and
independence. Best Buddies Job conducts a person-centered . confidence to work at a great firm like Audi, where I
approach with each participant. Working with the individual to
ultimately achieve their personal employment goals. Coaching receive an amazing sense of inclusion and support from
is provided in essential job interviewing skills, and once a job my co-workers. It makes me feel proud and needed.
is secured, there is assistance with on-the-job training. Job
placement for participants depends on the factors such as their Arjun, Best Buddies Jobs Participant
skills and abilities, location and vocational preference. Once
fully adjusted to their job, Best Buddies supports participants
with job coaching for continued career development.

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FRIENDSHIPS / JOBS / LEADERSHIP

Aaron
Jobs Program Participant

Cristen
Jobs Program Participant

Jobs Highlights

OUR PARTICIPANTS • Brian P. earns $17 per hour at MasterCard Worldwide in Florida.
• Best Buddies Jobs participants work an average of 226,023 • Robert S. and Thomas K. earn $17 per hour at the NFL Network

hours per year and generate approximately $2.52 million in California.
per year.
RECEIVING BENEFITS
HIGHEST SALARIES
• Medical & Dental: 13%
• Cristen M. earns $38,984 a year at Holland and Knight in • Paid Vacation/Sick Days: 21%
Massachusetts. She also receives life insurance, medical • 401K Plan: 3%
and dental care benefits, retirement plans, as well as, paid • Other: 50%
vacation and sick time.
2014 KEY JOBS PROGRAM STATS
• Jessica C. earns $34,008 per year at Tesoro in California.
In addition, she receives medical, dental, and vision care as • Average Weekly Hours worked: 13,695.60*
well as Education Assistance Programs, Employee Assistance • Average Yearly Hours worked: 671,084.40*
Program, Company Discounts, Wellness Program, Fitness • Total Average Yearly Wages Earned: $7,918,795.92*
Program, and paid sick days. • Total Average Yearly Taxes paid: $1,583,759.18*

• Mubarek W earns $33,500 per year at H.I.G. Capital in Florida. *Refer to infographic on page 5.

• Curt H. earns $31,720 per year at William Morris Endeavor
in California.

HIGHEST HOURLY WAGES

• Cristen M. earns $21.42 per hour at Holland & Knight
in Massachusetts.

• Ashley W. earns $20 per hour at the Institute for Community
Inclusion in Massachusetts.

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Integrated Employment

Program Participant

Billy O’Brien

This whole thing with Billy started as an
idea. It has taken very little effort on behalf
of Eaton Vance and staff. Billy came in and
wanted to learn and work, and we gave
him an opportunity. Quite frankly, there’s
no reason why any financial institution in
this city shouldn’t have Billy working in their
organization. It’s the right thing to do. It’s
great for Billy; it’s great for our staff; it’s great
for our culture; he fits right in.

Jeff Beale, Chief Administrative Officer,
Vice President / Eaton Vance Corporation

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FRIENDSHIPS / JOBS / LEADERSHIP

Billy's first day at his new job
with Eaton Vance in 2010.

BILLY Billy O’Brien began working with Best Buddies in September 2010 after being unemployed,
O'BRIEN and acquired a position working as an Office Services Assistant through the Best Buddies
Jobs program with Eaton Vance Investment Managers in October 2010. Since starting at
Eaton Vance, Billy has grown from working part-time 25 hours per week to working full-time
40 hours per week. He also enjoys full-time employee benefits including health insurance,
401K and profit sharing.

The progression that Billy has achieved at Eaton Vance has been extraordinary. Over the past several months, he has grown to
successfully take on and contribute to a variety of projects within the mailroom, the print/copy center, the facilities department,
and the company café. Among his many responsibilities, Billy delivers mail to multiple floors within two wings of Eaton Vance’s
downtown Boston office. This affords him a good deal of interaction with many of the company’s approximately 1,000 employees
at that location. In fact, employees on each and every floor know him by name and are always happy to see him. In turn,
Billy has formed personal connections with most of the employees in the office. Billy’s consistent performance, punctuality,
dependability, flawless attendance record and willingness to contribute to the team have earned him a great deal of respect
among his co-workers.

Beyond Billy’s work performance, he and his co-workers have impacted one another greatly in their unified efforts to create a
truly cohesive and integrated work atmosphere. Whether they are working on a special project, going on a delivery round or
having lunch with his team, one visit to their office makes it clear that everyone is happy to be there.

Eaton Vance employees throughout varying divisions of the company, keeping true to the company’s widespread reputation of
genuine integrity and personal attention, warmly welcomed Billy as a new member of the team, and have since voiced the fact
that they love what he has brought to their work environment. He is a dedicated coworker, a person who enjoys coming to work
each morning and has been an inspiration to the entire Eaton Vance community.

Billy’s journey from being unemployed to successfully thriving in corporate America is a great testament to the success of the
Best Buddies Jobs program. Billy continues to work and grow at Eaton Vance each day. He’s a man who loves his job and hopes
to continue his career as an Eaton Vance employee for many years to come.

Article featured in Eaton Vance’s newsletter.

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Leadership
Development

Best Buddies educates and empowers people with IDD
to become leaders, public speakers and active agents of
change. These leaders inspire their peers, communities,
employers and the government to join in the mission of
Best Buddies.

Abby
Global Ambassador

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Leadership Development

Ambassadors

Best Buddies Ambassadors is a program that provides training for participants with and without IDD in areas of speech writing,
public speaking and self-advocacy. Ambassadors develop the skills to professionally share their life stories, promote Best
Buddies programs, network, and most importantly, advocate. The program prepares people to become active agents of change
and informed, engaging advocates for the disability rights movement.
Ambassadors participate in trainings focused on the art of public speaking and advocacy. Once trained, they are expected to
identify opportunities in their chapters, communities, and state to share their stories and become more involved and empowered
citizens. They are encouraged to make high profile connections, speak to state and national legislators about opportunities for
people with IDD, present at recruitment fairs and Best Buddies events, and develop partnerships in the community given their
skills and awareness as advocates. Ambassadors could also help collect donations, present to other interest groups, and train
others with IDD.
Participants are paired with a Speech Coach for the duration of an Ambassadors training to assist with the writing and practicing
of a speech. Speech Coaches help Ambassadors in areas of brainstorming, organization, and editing and serve as a guide/
mentor who provides one-on-one attention as needed.
As of December 31, 2014, Best Buddies had more than 642 active Buddy Ambassadors, in 26 states and 9 countries who were
trained. Many Ambassador program participants attended the Best Buddies Leadership Conference in July and took part in
novice or advanced speech writing courses during the event.

Promoters

Best Buddies Promoters not only empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD, but allows them the opportunity
to interact and develop friendships with someone who they may not otherwise meet. The Promoters program offers students a
chance to develop leadership skills as they organize and host teen nights and awareness events for teens with and without IDD.
These events create a platform for friendships and a culture of inclusion and acceptance of individuals of all abilities.
Each chapter is led by a student leader and faculty advisor that oversee the membership and plan at least two events per
semester for an entire academic year to promote advocacy and awareness.
The Best Buddies chapter on campus has student and faculty volunteers who provide support to program participants.

Be proud of who you are. Don’t be ashamed if you have a disability or think you can’t. If just one person believes in
you deep, strong and long enough, you will start to think you can too. Best Buddies has given me that support to
think I can.

Rachel, Best Buddies Ambassador

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FRIENDSHIPS / JOBS / LEADERSHIP

Eric & Daniel, Global Ambassadors

Promoter Program event at Ikea
Washington Lee High School Global Ambassador

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Leadership Development

Program Participant & Best Buddies
Global Ambassador

Charles Calhoun

24 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

Charles & Dan FRIENDSHIPS / JOBS / LEADERSHIP
Global Ambassadors
Charles & Carl Lewis
Best Buddies Challenge

Hearst Castle 2014

CHARLES My name is Charles Calhoun III, and I am a Best Buddies Global Ambassador.
CALHOUN
As a Best Buddies Global Ambassador, I have spoken in front of Arizona Governor Jan
Brewer and traveled around the United States to speak at various national Best Buddies
events. I am also employed with Silicon Valley Bank, and in my spare time, I love to play
the drums, write songs and hang out with my friends.

I am diagnosed with Williams syndrome, Autism, and ADHD. Growing up, I remember the hurtful names people would call me,
like “Retarded.” They would mock, tease and ridicule me. Kids and even some adults would say things, point at me, and laugh.
I would come home from school and run into my room and cry.

The R-word hurts because it is exclusive. It’s offensive. It’s derogatory.

It’s time for a change! Let’s teach our communities that even if you are not using the R-word to purposely hurt someone, you
ARE hurting someone.

This word hurts, and it goes against everything Best Buddies stands for. Not only does the word affect people with disabilities,
it also affects people without disabilities; people just like you! You’re missing out on something really special: friendship.

Please stand with me and pledge to stop using the R-word! Pledge your support to eliminate this offensive word from everyday
speech and pledge to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

People with intellectual disabilities may seem different to you, but here are some things we may have in common: I love rock
music, wrestling, basketball and food. I want to do so much with my future. I would like to go to college for graphic design and
wood working.

Thank you to Best Buddies for giving me the opportunity to have real friends and people who genuinely care about me, and I
thank you all for stopping the use of this hurtful word, promoting friendships and jobs and supporting this cause!

Copy reproduced from Charles Calhoun’s speech at the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle in 2011.

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 25

Sarah & Best Buddies Global
Ambassador Tom Brady

26 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

National Events 2014 SIGNATURE EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE : HYANNIS PORT

JUNE 1, 2014
Boston & Hyannis Port, Massachusetts

The Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, chaired by Tom Brady, was a 100,
50, or 20-mile cycling adventure from Boston to Hyannis Port, with an optional
5K run/walk chaired by Olympian Carl Lewis. The event kicked off with the
Tom Brady Football Challenge, and concluded with celebrity tandem races, a
celebratory clambake and a private concert by the Dropkick Murphys.

BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE : HEARST CASTLE

SEPTEMBER 6, 2014
Carmel & San Simeon, California

The Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle, chaired by Maria Shriver, was a
100, 62, 30, or 15-mile cycling adventure along the Pacific Coast Highway,
from Carmel to the renowned Hearst Castle in San Simeon, with an optional 5K
run/walk led by Olympian Carl Lewis. The event kicked off with a Friday night
reception hosted by Maria Shriver and concluded with celebrity tandem races,
a festive barbecue and private concert at Hearst Ranch.

AUDI BEST BUDDIES CHALLENGE : WASHINGTON, D.C.

OCTOBER 18, 2014
Washington, District of Columbia and Leesburg, Virginia

Best Buddies hosted a five-star, family-friendly event featuring 100K and 100-
mile bike rides from the Washington Monument to historic Morven Park in
Leesburg, Virginia. The event also featured a 20-mile bike ride, tandem bike
races, a 5K run/walk chaired by Olympian Carl Lewis, and a 5K Student Fun
Run which began and ended at the National Mall. It concluded with a barbecue
feast and private celebration.

18th ANNUAL BEST BUDDIES MIAMI GALA

NOVEMBER 21, 2014
Miami, Florida

The 18th Annual Best Buddies Miami Gala was a spectacular event supporting
people with IDD around the world. Each year, more than 800 prominent
local and international guests attend this elegant event, including notable
celebrities, athletic superstars, and incredible performers. Guests gathered at
the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel to celebrate Best Buddies while enjoying
a gourmet dinner, a top-notch auction and dazzling entertainment. The day’s
festivities kicked off with the Best Buddies Challenge: Miami, a 62-mile ride,
limited to only 50 cyclists. This exclusive ride featured a Tour de France style
police escorted peloton with road and intersection closures, support vehicles,
and three fully-stocked rest stops.

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 27

National Events 2014

BEST BUDDIES MONTH

What started 20 years ago as a one-day event has evolved into a month-long
celebration commemorating Best Buddies’ mission. Best Buddies Month,
which takes place each year in March, is a time for Best Buddies participants
to reflect on the importance of friendship, jobs, and the development of future
leaders. Most importantly, it is a time to show the world the significance of
these essentials in every individual’s life. In March 2014, entire chapters and
individual members showcased their passion for Best Buddies by participating
in community carnivals, regional dances, and school-wide assemblies.

CAPITOL HILL DAY

On March 2, 2014, Best Buddies participants and Special Olympics athletes, along
with coaches, program leaders and family members from 43 states, joined to urge
members of the House and Senate to continue a national commitment by the
U.S. congress to support both organizations through partial funding. More than
225 participants met face-to-face with members of congress in more than 275
scheduled meetings throughout the day. Best Buddies participants advocated for
the passing of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act of 2011 and the re-appropriating of
crucial seed funding for health, education and employment programs.

SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD

Best Buddies continues to play a significant role in eliminating the demeaning
use of the “R” word. The partnership with Special Olympics and dozens of other
organizations raises awareness of the hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)”
and encourages people to pledge to stop using it. Spread the Word to End
the Word holds its' annual day of awareness on the first Wednesday of every
March. However, people everywhere can help spread the word throughout their
communities and schools year-round through pledge drives, youth rallies and
online activation.

AN EVENING WITH TOM BRADY

An Evening with Tom Brady was a wonderful event, featuring a spectacular
dinner by esteemed chefs, silent auction, and a question & answer session
with Best Buddies Global Ambassador and New England Patriots Quarterback
Tom Brady. Houston Texans minority owners Javier Loya and Chuck Watson
and Olympian Carl Lewis were among notables at the event, hosted by Best
Buddies Board of Directors member Becca Cason Thrash. The event which
was held on May 13, 2014, raised $850,000 for the organization.

7th ANNUAL BEST BUDDIES DALLAS GALA

The Dallas Gala was an incredible event, featuring a gourmet dinner, live
and silent auctions, and a private concert, with Jan and Jeff Rich serving as
Honorary Chairs to help support Best Buddies endeavors in Texas.

28 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

SIGNATURE EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

25th ANNUAL BEST BUDDIES LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

In July 2014, more than 2000 student and adult leaders from around the globe
attended this three-day conference. Leaders from across the world united
for a weekend of leadership development and training. Participants were
encouraged to think about the global effects of social inclusion of people with
IDD. Best Buddies provided nearly 40 scholarships to disadvantaged student
leaders who would not have otherwise attended.

EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER DAY 2014

Eunice Kennedy Shriver (EKS) Day was created in 2010 in her honor, to inspire
people to experience her legacy, embrace the movement she founded to bring
awareness to the disability movement and champion the rights of people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities. The day promotes a global call
for people to commit actions of inclusion, acceptance and unity for people
with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The third annual EKS Day
was observed on September 23rd throughout the United States and in 100
countries. Activities included: playing sports, picnics, canned-food donations,
leadership trainings and pledges to stop using the R word.

I’M IN TO HIRE KICKOFF

I’m In To Hire, is a movement that launched on October 7, 2014. Rooted in the
key findings of the groundbreaking 2014 report by the Institute for Corporate
Productivity (i4cp), “Employing People with Intellectual and Developmental
Disabilities,” the campaign brings to light the business benefits of hiring people
with IDD so that more companies will take action by employing these skilled
and qualified individuals.

Campaign Goal:
To get one million unemployed individuals with IDD off the sidelines and
integrated into the workforce over the next 10 years internationally.

Key Highlights From the i4cp Study:
High-performance organizations surveyed for the study who already employ
people with IDD, such as the law firm Holland & Knight and Silicon Valley
Bank, reported the following benefits:

• 57% reported the addition of highly-motivated employees who are
good talent matches

• 43% said it produces measureable and observable business benefits
• 47% reported an inclusive culture attractive to talent pools
• 60% said it supports their diversity and inclusion strategy

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 29

Financials

Mike, Will & Bryan
Tennesee program participants
at the 2013 Best Buddies
Leadership Conference

2014 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES*

Domestic Revenue: $ 4,186,384 DOMESTIC REVENUE
Government $ 2,725,505
Foundations and C orps. $ 1,961,544 Other Government
Individual $ 10,467,064 3%** 21%
S pecial E vents $ 630,809
Other $ 19,971,306 Special Foundations
Events and Corps.
Domestic E xpenses: $ 16,481,752 52%
P rograms $ 1,035,078 14%
Management and General $ 2,197,288
F undrais ing $ 19,714,118 Individual
10%
Domestic Net Asset Summary $ 7,900,725
Net Assets (beginning of year) $ 243,090 DOMESTIC EXPENSES
C hange in Net Assets $ 8,143,815
Domestic Net Assets (end of year) Management Fundraising
$ 20,000,000 and General 11%
International Revenue:***
$ 39,971,306 5%
Total Revenue:

*S tatement of Activities for calendar year 2014 based on B est B uddies International's Programs
Form 990-2014 84%

**"Other" represents revenue generated from a collection of sources including Chapter
Dues, Annual Leadership Conference, Investment Income and Cause-Related Marketing.
***Gross consolidation of International Licensees that operate as their own NGOs.

30 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

BALANCE SHEET AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 YEAR TO DATE

ASSETS $ 2,940,179
Current Assets 1,267,943
Cash in Bank 404,322
Marketable Securities 809,307
Pre-Paid Expenses 2,657,980
Accounts Receivable 1,462,812
Contributions Receivable 75,408
Grant Receivables
Investments - Deferred Compensation Plan $ 9,617,951
Total Current Assets
Fixed Assets 4,629
Computers $ 4,629
Total Fixed Assets $ 9,622,580
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 639,131
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE 764,227
Liabilities 75,408
Accounts Payable
Deferred Revenue $ 1,478,766
Deferred Compensation Plan Liability
Total Liabilities $ 8,143,816
$ 8,143,816
Fund Balance $ 9,622,582
Beginning Fund Balance
Total Fund Balance $ 7,900,725
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE $ 243,090
$ 8,143,815
BEGINNING BALANCE WITH CURRENT YEAR ADJUSTMENTS

NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)

ENDING FUND BALANCE

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 31

Board of Directors

Hon. Nicole Avant BOARD SECRETARY Ronald L. Book Romero Britto Nan Bush Charles Calhoun
Former U.S. Ambassador Ronald L. Book, P.A. Pop Artist President/Producer Buddy Ambassador
Brad Blank Little Bear Studio
President Britto Central Best Buddies

Brad Blank & Associates, Inc.

Arturo Elias-Ayub BOARD TREASURER Arij Gasiunasen Aaron Gershenberg Denise Godreau Michael Hardman
Director, Strategic Alliances & President Mananging Director Chief Marketing Officer Dean, College of Edu.
Robert Friedman SVB Capital
Institutional Relations Partner Gasiunasen Gallery Baha Mar Ltd. University of Utah
Telemex Foundation
Holland & Knight

Alexander Hon. Patrick J. Kennedy BOARD CHAIR Gerard A. Klingman Philip Levine Carl Lewis
Hernandez-Dessauer Former U.S. Congressman, President President & CEO Nine Time Olympic
Vice President International Founder, Kennedy Forum Anthony Kennedy Shriver Baron Corporation
Programs & Special Projects Founder & Chairman Klingman & Associates Gold Medalist
Best Buddies International
Best Buddies International

James Lintott Don List Jose Maria Olle John P. Oswald Tatiana S. Platt Thomas Quick
Chairman, Sterling Vice President Investor President & CEO Philanthropist Philanthropist
Foundation Mgmnt. Adept Fasteners Capital Trust Group

Katherine Ben Silverman Becca Cason Thrash Dani Warmund Bruce Weber Bernie Yuman
Schwarzenegger Founder & CEO Philanthropist Graduate Student Photographer/Director President
University of N.C.
Author Electus Little Bear Studio Bernie Yuman Mgmnt.

Honorary Board Member Honorary Board Member

Eunice Kennedy Shriver Keith Allen Haring
Founder Pop Artist

Special Olympics International Creator of the Best Buddies Logo

32 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

Executive Team OUR LEADERS

John M. Carlin Lisa Derx JR Fry
Senior Director Vice President Vice President
Major Gifts & Plannerd Giving Government Relations State Development

Alexander Anthony Kennedy Shriver Mark Lewis
Hernandez-Dessauer Founder & Chariman Vice President
Vice President International Strategic Development
Programs and Special Projects and Marketing

Jen Miller David Quilleon Julie Torres
Senior Vice President Senior Vice President Vice President
Finance & Operations Global Mission, State Human Resources & Operations
Developement & Operations

Scott Tracy Natalie Van Eron Mark J. Wylie
Vice President Vice President Vice President
Challenges, Special Events, Talent Relations
& Sponsor Relations National Development
& Miami Challenge BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 33

Meet Our Supporters

CORPORATIONS EMC Corporation DaVita
EM-Power Services, Inc. Deer Management Company
$500,000 and Above First Solar Delaware Diagnostic & Rehabilitation
Audi of America Franklin American Mortgage Company
FTN Financial Center P.A.
$250,000 and $499,999 Goldman, Sachs & Co. Delaware North Companies Sport
Country Kitchen Breads & Rolls* Greenberg Traurig - Boston
Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company Services, Inc.
$100,000 to $249,999 Holland & Knight DelleDonne & Associates, Inc.
The Ferraro Law Firm JP Morgan Chase Discover Financial Services
Las Vegas Sands Corporation Key Bank Dynamic Therapy Services
Natixis Global Asset Management La Playa Properties Group, Inc. Earl Swensson Associates, Inc.
Pepsi-Cola Company Las Vegas Coffee Investors Edwards Wildman Palmer
Marcum Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company
$50,000 to $99,999 Marcus Hotels & Resorts
20th Century Fox MariaVision of Iowa
Chevron Marriott Wailea Beach Resort & Spa FEAT Organization
Cutrale Citrus Juices U.S.A. MFS Investments FedEx
E & J Gallo Winery Miami-Dade Employability Network First Republic Bank
FIJI Water MindTree First State Orthopaedics, P.A.
John Hancock Nickelodeon Florida Power & Light
Med-Care Diabetic and Medical Supplies Nomura Securities International, Inc. Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A.
Midland National Life Insurance Company Parthenon Group Gray Robinson Attorneys at Law
Reliance Pfizer, Inc. Hubbell Realty Company
Rosetta Stone Ltd. Promoter Line Incorporated Festival & Indiana University Health
TracFone Wireless J.E. Dunn Construction
Concert Division Kimmel, Carter, Roman & Peltz, P.A.
$25,000 to $49,999 Quality One Wireless Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
Accenture RatPac Entertainment Layton Construction Co., Inc.
BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts Reilly Worldwide, INC. Lipscomb University
Compañia de elaborados de café ELCAFE Ribbit Capital Luxury Autos of Huntington, Inc.
Demoulas Super Markets, Inc. Riemer & Braunstein Luxury Autos of Smithtown
Eaton Vance Management Ronald Book PA Mahaffey Tent & Awning Co., Inc.
Energi Sally A. Heyman Campaign Mastercard Worldwide
Equestrian Sport Productions Shields Health Care Group LP Mayer Brown
Foxwoods Resort Casino Stanley Korshak, LP Meltzer Carroll Life
Lyfe Kitchen Restaurants Universal Fairs, Inc. Moore Oil Company
Mack Cycle & Fitness Verizon New England Performance Cars
Municipal Acquisitions Winston Brothers, Inc. New Regency Productions, Inc.
Samsung Galaxy Nordstrom
Santander Bank $5,000 to $9,999 Northern Trust Charitable Giving Program
Westriver Management ADP At The Chicago Comm
ZTE USA Altria Group Inc. Northwestern Mutual
Artefacto Design Place, Inc. NUI IKE
$10,000 to $24,999 Atlas Venture Advisors, Inc. Open Road of Manhattan
Abdo, Eick, & Meyers Ballengee Interests Opportunity Village
Albertsons BB&T Equipment Finance Oxford Finance
Associated Bank Behavior Intervention Services Patrons of Blue Man Group Boston
August Capital Master Management BMO Harris Bank N.A. Rx For Reading
Battery Management Company Boston Capital Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett & Bendesky, P.C.
Baystate Health Center, Inc. Caltronics Shook, Hardy & Bacon, Law Office
Bloomberg L.P. Canaan Partners Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A.
BlueRun Ventures Cape Air - Nantucket Airlines Southland Industries
Boich Companies Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation Summit Pharmacy, Inc.
Boone Pickens Central Florida Marketing & Promotions Tesoro Companies, Inc.
Bridgestone Americas Children's Hospital of Wisconsin The Lenox Hotel
Cargill Incoporated Commonwealth Edison Company The Mahoney Group
Consolidated Press LTD Community Bridges The Savings Bank Life Insurance
Dave Matthews Band Cox Target Media
DNI Corp Company of Massachusetts
TUUCI Worldwide
TVL Management Corporation

34 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

United Phoenix Firefighters Association, Inc. Shari & Eric Miller CONTRIBUTORS
Walgreens Family of Companies Alvaro Noboa
Washington Kastles Elizabeth North Philip Levine
Waterstone Bank Kathleen Pearson Carl Lewis
Whole Foods Market Dianne & Philip Raso Jared Lively
Xactly Corporation Jan & Jeffrey Rich Javier Loya
Marlyne Sexton Jay Luchs
INDIVIDUALS Amira & Ron Simkins Stephen Luczo
Sandra & Tony Tamer Robert Machiz
$100,000 to $249,999 Mike Van Handel Catherinne Anne & Patrick Markert
Martha & Rick De La Croix Patricia Villareal Tom McDermott
Dondero Family Mark Warner Michael Meldman
Richard Fant Deborah & Jeffrey Wechsler Carlos Migoya
Penney & Gerard Klingman Natalie Wexler & James Feldman Michael Mithoff
May Liang & James Lintott Roger Winter Keli & Mark Mondello
Nancy & Richard Rogers Michele Mosbacher
Donna & George Zoley $10,000 to $24,999 Marie Mundy
Nicole Avant & Ted Sarandos Patty & Bobby Nail
$50,000 to $99,999 Andrew Barowsky* Kevin Nortrup
Adil Adi Jo-Anne & Richard Bilotti Kim Perkins
Luba & Alan Bigman Stephen Bing Cynthia & Anthony Petrello
Theresa Havens Snezana & Michael Bojkovic Katherine Phelps
Barbara & Stephen Hearst David Bruson Abigail & FJ Pollak
Melinda & Jeff Hildebrand Christopher Buchanan Heather Quinn
Marc Leder Nan Bush & Bruce Weber Cliffe Reckling
Don List Tom Campion Ken Reilly
Tommy Mottola Sara & Ugo Colombo Keith Rich
Mona & John Oswald Kristina Daglio Caroline Riley
Lydia & Rudy Prio-Touzet Elena & Greg Davis J. Douglas Rippeto
Shirley Rees Trina & Robert Dean Marilyn & Ronald Rotter
Lynda & Stewart Resnick Philippe Dehaene Randy & Harlan Selesnick
Daniel Ribeiro Mark Denesuk Connie & Joseph Shay
Sammy Sosa Stephanie & Irv Don Michael Simkins
Tom Sullivan Kelly & Doug Eaton Jeff Skoll
Hiro Yamagata Robin Ellen James Stankard
John Fell Debbie & Bob Sullivan
$25,000 to $49,999 Jean-Marie & Raul Fernandez Elizabeth & Lewis Swezy
Steve Alvis Jay Fields David Treadwell
Adrienne Arsht Steve Finch Dwarkesh Trivedi
Mark Bellissimo Gavin Gray Bobby Tudor
Rebecca Bowman Nassikas Linette Guerra & Mariano Pastor Terdema Ussery
Jan Brandt Maria Guijarro Aguirre Marianne Yood
Romero Britto Georgina Hartland Melissa Zachariasz
Chris Bruegger Patrick Heron
Michael Descheneaux Jim Hinckley FOUNDATIONS
Lisa D'Urso Brian Hogan
Horst Ferrero Kevin Howe $500,000 and Above
Jan & Jim Field Ann Howland - Doerr Telmex Foundation
Diane & Neil Goodhue Kyrie Irving
Brian Grazer Ray Jackson $250,000 and Above
Christina Griffith Sheila Johnson Annenberg Foundation
Donald Guloien Richard Kay
Marietta & Ken Harte Patrick Kennedy $100,000 to $249,999
David Herro Bobby Kotick Carnival Cruise Line/Seabourn Cruise Line
Michelle & Howard Kessler Raymond Lamb Central Children's Charities
Michele King & Don Soffer Dave Lambert Crimson Lion Foundation
Kate & Jonathan B. Kling Rafael Lamuno Engelstad Family Foundation
Bob Kraft Bennet LeBow Highland Street
Lynn & Ted Leonsis Kids Connect Charitable Fund
May and Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
*Both Corporate and Individual contributions made to Best Buddies MGM Resorts International

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 35

Meet Our Supporters

FOUNDATIONS (continued) Charles E. Benidt Foundation, Inc. Frieda and William Hunt Memorial Trust
Charlottesville Area Community Foundation Gary & Pennie Abramson Charitable
Sterling Foundation Management Cheshire Half Marathon 5K Foundation Inc.
The NASCAR Foundation Clark Charitable Foundation Foundation
United Way of Miami-Dade CSC Charitable Foundation The Cockrell Foundation
CVS Caremark Charity Classic Geico Philanthropic Foundation
$50,000 to $99,999 FISA Foundation George S. and Dolores Dore' Eccles
Ann G. and James B. Ritchey Foundation Hawaii Community Foundation
Ansin Foundation Houston Endowment, Inc. Foundation
Anthony R. Abraham Foundation Inc. John W. Alden Trust Greater Cedarburg Foundation
Bank of America, N.A. Kenneth T. & Eileen L. Norris Foundation Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Inc.
BNY Mellon Lakshmi Foundation Hope Christian Community Foundation, Inc.
CVS Health M Wahlberg Youth Foundation J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc.
Helping Hands Foundation, Inc. Marshall R. Matley Foundation Jana Foundation, Inc.
Liberty Mutual Foundation, Inc. Maui United Way Jerome S. and Grace H. Murray Foundation
Lilly Endowment, Inc. Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation John J. & Pauline Gerlach Foundation
Ruderman Family Foundation Nationwide Insurance Foundation Joseph Briere Foundation
The Caesars Foundation Prairie Meadows Foundation The Mark and Mary Ann Kaufman
The Hearst Foundation, Inc. Renee and Ted's Big Heart Foundation
The Taft Foundation Schoenleber Foundation Inc. Family Fund
The TJX Foundation, Inc. Stackner Family Foundation Legacy Foundation
Troesh Family Foundation Suffolk Construction's Red & Blue Lightning Foundation
Windsong Trust Mcgowan Gin Rosica Family Foundation Inc.
Foundation, Inc. McGraw Family Foundation
$25,000 to $49,999 The Batchelor Foundation, Inc. Milwaukee Brewers Community
Capital One Services The Comcast Foundation
Cardinal Cushing Centers, Inc. The Craig and Kathryn Hall Foundation Foundation, Inc.
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation The Kimmel Spiller Charitable Foundation MMAC Community Support Foundation
Discovery Land Company Foundation The Lampert Foundation Phoenix Suns Charities, Inc.
Madison Tournament The Pratt Foundation Principal Financial Group Foundation
Drew Foundation The Robert Goelet Foundation Rays Baseball Foundation, Inc.
Durham Family Foundation The Scannell Family Charitable Fund Samerian Foundation Inc.
Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust The Will Smith Charitable Foundation Schwab Charitable Fund
Helen Bader Foundation, Inc. Trends International Charitable Steve J. Miller Foundation
Manpower Foundation, Inc. Taco Bell Foundation For Teens
Miles for Miles Foundation Foundation, Inc. The Apatow-Mann Family Foundation, Inc.
Nashville Predators Foundation United Way of Central New Mexico The Apax Foundation
PG&E Corporation Foundation Variety-The Children's Charity The Beveridge Family Foundation, Inc.
Putnam Investments Foundation Woolford Foundation The California Endowment
Stan and Susan Ruta Family Charitable Fund The Chesley G. Magruder Foundation, Inc.
State Street Foundation $5,000 to $9,999 The Community Foundation of Louisville, Inc.
Team Shaan Foundation 100 Women in Hedge Funds The George & Judy Marcus Family
Thadikonda Research Foundation Inc. Adams Family Foundation II
The Becker Family Charitable Fund Aged Pooled Trust Foundation
The Foundation For Those Without A Voice Alexander Russell Tulloch Trust The John H. Schnatter Family Foundation Inc.
The Gheens Foundation, Inc. Boomerang Foundation, Inc. The Katharine Matthies Foundation
Greater Houston Community Foundation Brees Dream Foundation The Mentor Network Charitable
The Mark & Mary Freitas Foundation Cedar Street Charitable Foundation
The Sharon D. Lund Foundation Charles and M.R.Shapiro Foundation, Inc. Foundation, Inc.
The Tom Sullivan Foundation, Inc. Charles R. Jelm Charitable Foundation, Inc. The Pioneer Fund
Wal-Mart Stores Chloes Cause, Inc. The Richard Lovett Trust of 1996
William S. Abell Foundation, Inc. Communities Foundation of Texas The Robert and Jamie Taylor Foundation
Yahoo! Employee Fund Community Foundation of Greater Memphis The Safeway Foundation
Yawkey Foundation II Community Foundation of Howard County The Seabury Foundation
Coyotes Charities The Siebert Family Foundation
$10,000 to $24,999 Denny Foundation The Sundt Foundation
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial Doligale Family Charitable Foundation Inc. The Wellmark Foundation
Bessemer Trust Doris Woolsey Foundation Thomas W. Bradley Foundation, Inc.
Boston Bruins Charitable Foundation, Inc. Elm Grove Junior Guild United Way of Southern Nevada
Burns Family Foundation Enterprise Holdings Warmenhoven Family Foundation
Freeman E. Fairfield Foundation WHAS Crusade For Children, Inc.
36 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

GOVERNMENT $249,000 to $499,999 CONTRIBUTORS
Joanne Jaxtimer
$500,000 and Above Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III Randy Perkins
Florida Department of Education Silicon Valley Bank Brett Ratner
Illinois Department of Human Services Southern Wine & Spirits
$100,000 to $249,999 Swirl Marketing
$250,000 and Above Bicycling Magazine Tiffany & Co.
Connecticut Department of Romero Britto
Developmental Services Cannondale $5,000 to $9,999
Maryland State Department of Education CBS Radio/98.5 The Sports Hub Carlton Media
Clear Channel Courthouse Express
$100,000 to $249,999 Sara & Ugo Colombo e .frastructure Technologies, Inc.
Arkansas Department of Health and Comcast Evening Entertainment Group
Human Services Guy Fieri Genovese Joblove & Battista
Hawaii Department of Education  Aaron Gershenberg Getty Images
Indiana Department of Education, Division Maureen & John Hailer Goorin Bros
of Exceptional Learners Hearst Corporation Health Warriors
Maryland Department of Health and Penney & Gerry Klingman Jacob Dietz
Mental Hygiene San Francisco Chronicle Jacobs Design
Massachusetts Department of Seyfarth Shaw King Dahl Event Design
Developmental Services Lacoste
Miami-Dade County Office of $50,000 to $99,999 LGi Linens
Management and Budget Accenture Federal Services Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation
New Mexico Public Education Department CBS/KPIX NextCare
Region 10 Education Center, Texas Alexander Hernandez-Dessauer Peets Coffee & Tea
Tara & Kenn Hitchcock-Francis Edwards Wildman
$50,000 to $99,999 NBC/WHDH
Arizona Department of Education Pilot Freight Services TOP FUND RAISING TEAMS
Honolulu City and County 
Maui County, Hawaii $25,000 to $49,999 $500,000 and Above
90.9 WBUR Team Silicon Valley Bank
$25,000 to $49,999 Aventura Worldwide Transportation
Delaware Division of Developmental Service $250,000 and $499,999
Disabilities Services  Ricardo Bellino Team Maria
East Arkansas Planning and Development Rafael Feliz Jr. Team Tom Brady
John F. Kennedy Library and Museum Gary Fears
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Florida JCDecaux North America $100,000 to $249,999
Montgomery County, Maryland, Department May Liang & James Lintott Team Audi
of Health & Human Services Catherine-Anne & Patrick Markert Team Eaton Vance
Utah Department of Human Services, Michael Meldman Team Greenberg Traurig/GT for KT
Services for People with Disabilities Niche Media Team John Hancock
Rhode Island Office of Higher Education The Soffer Family & Fountainbleau Hotel Team Natixis
Qatar Airways Team Patriot Pedalers
$10,000 to $24,999 Quail Lodge & Golf Club
Alexandria, Virginia $50,000 to $99,999
Anne Arundel County, Maryland $10,000 to $24,999 Team Believe
Hearst Castle Amgen Tour of CA Team Brendan Kelly/C-Fam
State of Delaware Boston Globe Team California
Classic Party Rentals Team Hearst
$5,000 to $9,999 Fairmont Hotel Team King James Buddies
City of Chandler, Arizona Paul Goldschmidt Team Manpower/Wisconsin
City of Falls Church, Virginia Gourmet Catering Team Rosetta Stone
Harpoon Brewery Team Swirl
IN-KIND Hublot Team Seyfarth Shaw
Kenneth Cole
$500,000 and Above Kurt Warner Foundation $25,000 to $49,999
Tom Brady MadisonSouth Team Antonio Contreras
Jan & Jeff Rich M.C. Dean, Inc. Team BNY Mellon
Maria Shriver MY Skincare Team Dog Pack
Becca Cason Thrash & John Thrash The Moorings Village and Spa Team Duxbury
Team Gallo
Team Guess?

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 37

Meet Our Supporters Team Blue Man Group Boston Team Lakshmi
Team Carl Lewis Team Merrill Lynch & Friends
TOP FUND RAISING TEAMS (continued) Team Cassidy Turley Team Miles for Murph
Team CVS Caremark Team OTTO
Team Henry Team Daniel's Dynamos Team Pandora
Team Hincapie Team East Bay Grille Team PG&E
Team Holland & Knight Team Energi Team Rutan and Tucker
Team Marlowe Team Fowler Team Sabrofit
Team Pepsi and Friends Team Freshbikes Team Sean!
Team Sunshine Team Granny Gear Drops Team STRATIS
Team Webcor Team Guloien Team Team Extreme
Team Harrington Team Teddy
$10,000 to $24,999 Team Harry and Karla Team Tesoro
Team A Dam Good Decision Team Ireland Team Virtual PBX
Team Atlantic Trust Team John and Kate Team Whelen
Team Avid Team Kates & Barlow The James Gang
Team Beacon Consulting Team L.E.K. San Francisco
Team Best Coast Cycling Club Tedeschi Food Shops
Team Blake The Salty Dog
Team Blood Sweat & Gears Trader Joe’s
Whole Foods Market
Participating Employers
GOVERNMENT
ARTS & CULTURE Imperial Capital Accenture Federal Services
Britto Pop Art MasterCard Worldwide City of Doral
Natixis Global Asset Management City of Hialeah
ANIMAL SERVICES PenCal Administrators City of Long Beach - City Clerk's Office
Bark of the Town Silicon Valley Bank City of Los Angeles - Mayor's Office of
Hollywood Animal Clinic
FITNESS Economic Developement
AUTOMOTIVE Best Fitness Health Center City of Miami Beach
Audi Equinox Century City City of North Bay Village
DCH Gardena Honda George Mason Aquatic and Fitness Center Department of Developmental Services
Thomas Menino YMCA of Greater Boston
COMMUNICATIONS Youfit Health Clubs Massachusetts
Conill YMCA Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities
Kel & Partners
Participant Media FOOD INDUSTRY Council
Relativity Media Blaze Pizza Pleasant Hill Library
Royal Media Partners Fiji Water Village of Pinecrest
Swirl Advertising Hojas Tea House Weston Public Library
Team One Independent Purchasing Cooperative
Jewel-Osco HEALTH CARE
CONSTRUCTION Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant Access Medical Group
De Moya Group LYFE Kitchen Addgene
LongHorn Steakhouse #5352 Cambridge Hospital
EDUCATION Fruit Center of Milton Cambridge Nursing & Rehab Center
Angier Elementary School Gate Gourmet Cedars – Sinai Medical Center
Calvary Methodist Preschool Gardener’s Choice Dr. Patricia L. Carolan, DMD,
Dana Middle School Grocery Outlet
Institute for Community Inclusion Jewel-Osco General Dentistry
Pierce Middle School Protein Bar Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center
Rosetta Stone Publix MedCare
Chartwell's at Barry University Ralph’s Mt. Auburn Hospital
Temple Beth Am (Pressman Academy) Safeway Norwegian American Hospital
Trinity MOPS Schnebly Redland's Winery Oliver Pyatt Institute
UMASS Lowell Sprouts Skokie Meadows Nursing Center
Star Market Sodexo at Dana Farber
FINANCE & INSURANCE Stop & Shop
Eaton Vance Swine Southern Table & Bar
Goldline International, INC
H.I.G. Capital, L.L.C.

38 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

Sodexo at Aventura Hospital The Salvation Army CONTRIBUTORS
UNM Hospital
Westside Regional Center RETAIL Adrienne Arsht Center
Anthropologie Boston Red Sox
HOSPITALITY Aventura Mall Entertainment Tonight/ The Insider
Fairmont Miramar Bath and Body Works Exceptional Theatre Co.
Hilton LAX Bob’s Discount Furniture FOX Broadcasting Company
Holiday Inn Express Carson's Clearance Store FOX Networks, Engineering & Operations
Hyatt Regency Double R Vending Lucky Strike
John Hancock GUESS? Inc. Miami Marlins
Marriott Burlington Party City Monumental Sports & Entertainment
MGM Resorts International Sports Memorabilia National Basketball Association
Service Systems Associates Target NFL Network
The Ritz – Carlton Key Biscayne TJ Maxx NewTV
VERC Enterprises, Inc. Ocean Drive Magazine
LAW FIRMS Walmart Washington Nationals
Gelfand, Renner, & Feldman LLP Wildfire Casino and Lanes
Goldberg & Rosen, PA OIL INDUSTRY
Holland & Knight Tesoro TALENT AGENCIES
Kates & Barlow, PC Paradigm
Latham & Watkins LLP REAL ESTATE United Talent Agency
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP Berglund Construction William Morris Endeavor
Seyfarth Shaw LLP Hobbs Brook LLC
Trujillo Vargas Ortiz & Gonzalez LLC John Phillips Property Management TECHNOLOGY
Jones Lang LaSalle Acquia
MANUFACTURING LNR Property LLC ArX Solutions
TUUCI Avid
PARKS & RECREATION Enservio
NON-PROFIT/FOUNDATIONS Cool-de-Sac
Braille Institute Los Angeles Starland Sports and Fun Park TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Futures Explored, Alive Program Presidio Golf Course Brightstar Corporation
My Life Foundation Tracfone
Special Olympics SPORTS/ENTERTAINMENT
The Mentor Network 20th Century Fox WAREHOUSING & STORAGE
Museo Vault
Value Store It

Special Thanks

The Marketing and Strategic Development Department would like to thank HQ, State and International teams for all the help in creating
this report. This collaborative effort was supported by the entire organization and across all departments. While we wish to thank
everyone for their contribution, please also note the following people whom have played a major role in its development:

Copy and Editing:  Jessica Schwartz, Senior Director of Marketing
Nicole Maddox, Senior Manager, Sponsor Development & Communications
Stephanie Moore, Senior Director, State Operations

Global Statistics: Bill Maurer, Director Online Programs
Liz Thompson, Deputy Director, e-Buddies
Jacob Laverriere, Senior Director, Jobs

Financials: Jen Miller, Senior Vice President, Finance & Operations

Supporters:  Noelle Smikle, Director Sponsor Relations

Design:  Vanessa Beltran, Director, State Marketing

Thank you,

Mark Lewis
VP Marketing & Strategic Development

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 39

50 States / 6 Contin

40 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

OUR GLOBAL MOVEMENT

nents / 54 Countries

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 41

Massachusetts

A Message From Our Leaders

Best Buddies Massachusetts began 2014 with several major goals in mind, including expanding our
Jobs and Friendship programs to central Massachusetts. As private and state revenue increased
in 2014, we were able to hire new staff to oversee expansion throughout the commonwealth.
Additionally, we wanted to increase our presence in schools within the city of Boston. With support
from the school district, we opened three new chapters in this area in 2014. As my responsibilities
increased with the Best Buddies Challenge in 2014, I identified the need for additional operational
support. We created a new position and brought on a Best Buddies veteran, in late spring, as our
director of operations. Heading into 2015, we are poised to fulfill our goals of expanding our success
with Best Buddies Jobs beyond the greater Boston region, continuing to engage new communities
with our Friendship programs, and increasing revenue through relationships with new employer
partners, foundations, individuals, and through our signature special events.

Diligent work by our tireless programs teams brought about more opportunities for expansion in
2014. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, pleased with our work in greater Boston,
offered us a contract in the city of Worcester, which will help us bring integrated employment
services to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in that area. We have had a
long wait list of individuals who have been interested in our services for years. We have established
several relationships with new foundations which will increase our capacity in central Massachusetts, as well. Our team includes veteran Best
Buddies staffers who manage relationships statewide with grace, and sheer determination. It is these relationships, along with the exceptional
dedication of thousands of volunteers, which enabled Best Buddies Massachusetts to reach our goals in 2014.

In 2015, we expect to serve 100 individuals with IDD through Best Buddies Jobs statewide, and oversee 120 chapters at middle schools, high
schools, and colleges throughout the Commonwealth. Our advisory board members are ready to help us implement the expansion projects
that began in 2014 by helping to identify new employer partners outside the Boston area. By adding new staff positions to both our Friendship
and Jobs teams, as well as adding infrastructure by bringing on a Director of Operations, we have increased our capacity to deliver the highest
quality of services statewide.

Craig Welton
State Director

I began working with Best Buddies Massachusetts in 2010 to support my son, who wanted to
make a change in his middle school. About a year later, I was asked to join the board by Craig
Welton, State Director for Best Buddies Massachusetts. I was honored to join. Craig is an amazing
leader and someone I have grown to respect.

My experiences with Best Buddies and being a member of the board have exceeded my
expectations. All of our buddies and their families are inspirational and amazing. I have learned that
the most important benefit Best Buddies provides is the complete acceptance, appreciation, and
acknowledgement of our buddies abilities, not their disabilities.

Recently, Craig and I worked with Dan Salera, in partnership with the Highland Street Foundation, to
improve communication frameworks and prescriptive actions for the board to be more efficient and
productive, with a focus on the Best Buddies Jobs initiative in Massachusetts. Our board members
are exceptional and they are all very invested in Best Buddies. They all have asked for the prescriptive
requests on what to do to help and I think this will make 2015 a great year for our board.

I personally look forward to helping support our expansion in Metro West, and into Worcester
County, with new Friendship and Jobs programs.

Mike Beaudet
Advisory Board Chair

42 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

MASSACHUSETTS

I joined Best Buddies in 2006 when I was a freshman at Somerville High School. My mom
said, "Just try it. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep going." Before long, she noticed
how I had started to change. She saw how because of Best Buddies, I came out of my shell.

Thank you so much to all of our supporters. You are making a huge difference, not just
here in Massachusetts, but all over the whole world. Just 25 years ago, many individuals
with disabilities were still tucked away, hidden from the real world. Now, because of Best
Buddies, we are in the real world, working real jobs for real pay. We are making a difference
with our lives.

PROUDEST MOMENT SINCE JOINING BEST BUDDIES:

I am proud of the first moment I spoke in front of a live audience at the Best Buddies Challenge:
Hyannis Port four years ago. I was nervous. I had never spoken in front of a crowd before. I
still remember how that felt. I looked out at them and I thought, "I got this."

Andre
Global Ambassador and YLC Member

Active Programs

One-To-One Friendships COLLEGES:
- Total number of chapters: 20
MIDDLE SCHOOLS: - Total number of participants: 1,012
- Total number of chapters: 20 - Total number of buddy pairs: 304
- Total number of participants: 611 - Cities/counties served: 14 cities/8 counties
- Total number of buddy pairs: 121
- Cities/counties served: 19 cities/8 counties e-BUDDIES:
- Best Buddies Massachusetts served 187 individuals with
HIGH SCHOOLS:  and without IDD through e-Buddies, including 42 new
- Total number of chapters: 70  participants, in 2014.
- Total number of participants: 3,732
- Total number of buddy pairs: 749
- Cities/counties served: 68 cities/11 counties

Integrated Employment Jobs program serves: Braintree, Boston, Burlington, Cambridge,
Hanover, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Somerville, Suffolk, Quincy,
JOBS: Westborough, and Worcester.
- Total number of participants in the program: 83
- Total number of employed participants: 71
- Total number of Jobs secured through the program
since inception: More than 100

Leadership Development PROMOTERS:
- Total number of chapters: 4
AMBASSADORS: - Total number of participants: 21
- Total cumulative number of Ambassadors trained since - Cities/counties served: 4 cities/4 counties
program inception: 50 - Total number of Acts* completed: 1
- Total number of active Ambassadors: 10
- Total number of Ambassador trainings held this year: 2

"Best Buddies has offered Sarah amazing opportunities to develop friendships with several of her awesome
peers through her participation over the years in Pollard Middle School, Needham High School, and Dana
Hall chapters, but her attendance at leadership conference and her chances to meet Tom Brady and his
friends at the Tom Brady Football Challenges have really brought her out of her shell."

Michael Markowitz, parent

BESTBUDDIES.ORG | 43

Signature Events

Boston Marathon

Best Buddies Massachusetts partnered with the Boston Athletic
Association to put together a team of 25 runners for the 2014 Boston
Marathon. Collectively, these runners raised $165,000 for Best Buddies

programs across Massachusetts.

Regional Proms

Best Buddies Massachusetts hosts two regional proms each year. The high
schools take turns hosting and typically up to 600 people attend each event.

Best Buddies Hyannis Port Golf Challenge

On October 3, 2014, we hosted the annual golf tournament at the
beautiful Hyannis Port Golf Club in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.
Players from some of Best Buddies sponsors and employer partners
in the region gathered to play golf for friendships, raising over $52,000.

Milton 5K Gobbler

Best Buddies Massachusetts hosted the annual 5K Gobbler in
November 2014, which raised over $50,000. The event included
both chapter and community teams, with more than 400 registrants’
participating in the 5K run or new 1-mile walking loop.

Best Buddies Friendship Breakfast

On December 4, 2014, Best Buddies supporters in western Massachusetts
gathered for the 4th annual Friendship Breakfast, sponsored by the Bernon
Family and Baystate Health. Steven Bradley, President of Baystate
Medical center, received the Meaghan Bell Spirit of Friendship Award.

Best Buddies Evening Of Opportunity

The Evening of Opportunity is a reception showcasing the employment
program. More than 200 supporters and employer partners come together
each year at the Seaport Hotel in Boston for this special event. In 2014, we
honored Natixis Global Asset Management as Employer of the Year. The
Boston Red Sox were honored as Champion of Inclusion, and Untwon,
Best Buddies Jobs participant and employee at Natixis Global Asset
Management, was named 2014 Employee of the Year.

44 | BESTBUDDIES.ORG

Program Success Stories MASSACHUSETTS

One-To-One Friendships

MEET MICHAEL AND KATIE

Michael and Katie represent excellence in the high school Friendship program.
They attend Oliver Ames High School in North Easton, Massachusetts,
one of the strongest chapters, which has helped set the bar for buddy pair
involvement in the region. Katie is the chapter president for her high school’s
Best Buddies program. Katie and Michael’s friendship is new, but genuine,
and they represent the commonality in Best Buddies Massachusetts
programs – generous, dedicated young people who believe in inclusion and
demonstrate its benefits to the larger community through their friendship.

Best Buddies has given both Michael and Katie something to look forward
to every day. Katie believes the Best Buddies program is extremely positive,
encouraging student involvement, and helps create and foster friendships.
"I never experienced anything like this before. I feel like I am leaving a mark",
says Katie. "My buddy's name is Michael. He is new this year, and we have
hit it off. He is very kind, funny and loves to have a good time. We like to talk
and hang out with other peer buddies. I am very excited to be matched with
Michael and look forward to the next two years."

Michael and Katie have been buddies for four months. "My life has gotten better. I have met lots of people and made friends. I
have a lot of fun. I like to listen to music, and eat together with my buddy Katie. We were matched up this year,” says Michael.
As for Katie, “My life has changed because I've learned so much from everyone and everything the club is about. I've made new
friends and it is so special, because you are not only changing lives every day but people are impacting your life, too."

Integrated Employment

MEET DUDLEY

Dudley represents the epitome of a highly successful, thriving Best
Buddies Jobs participant in Boston. After graduating from the Lesley
University Threshold Program several years ago, Dudley joined Best
Buddies Jobs to work toward his professional goals. Dudley is a hard
worker and tireless advocate for employment for people with IDD. Within
a few short years, Dudley has become not only one of the strongest
spokespersons for Best Buddies Jobs in Massachusetts, but has realized
his ultimate goal of having a full-time job with benefits.

Before becoming involved with Best Buddies, life for Dudley was
challenging. He mostly worked part-time jobs that were not utilizing his
fullest potential.

After graduating from college, Dudley joined Best Buddies to strengthen
his social skills, meet new people, and get a full-time job. Since starting
the program in March 2012, he has grown both professionally and
personally. At first, Dudley worked part-time jobs, ranging from different
positions in the hospitality industry to working seasonally for the Boston
Red Sox in mobility assistance, to working in at the Boston Minority Business Development Agency Center, as an office assistant.

His ultimate goal was to find a full-time job. "I went in for an interview at John Hancock this past September and tried my best to
answer the questions they asked me. I told them about my experiences in my previous jobs. I was very excited when I learned
they wanted to hire me full-time because I had never been offered a full-time job before," says Dudley.

Dudley's life has changed dramatically. He has more confidence in himself, as a person, and is more independent at work. He's
made new friends as well. "Best Buddies is a great organization that gives everyone a chance. Now that I’ve achieved my goal
of getting a full-time job, I want to improve my professional relationships and work on achieving some of the goals that I have
set for myself at John Hancock."

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