Champions of Friendship: Laura and Kacy

As many of you know, last March we kicked off our Best Buddies Indiana Citizens program. The Citizens program provides an opportunity for adults in community to form a friendship with another adult in the community with an intellectual or developmental disability. The Citizens program is now in full swing with eight Citizen pairs already. 

Laura Krummen and Kacy Wendling make up one of these friendships.

Laura started her Best Buddies journey at Zionsville High School where she was deeply involved during her time there. Laura is also a Best Buddies Ambassador. 

Kacy got involved with the organization first as a volunteer. The Citizens program gave Kacy the opportunity to take her commitment to Best Buddies a step further and be matched in a one-to-one friendship. Kacy is also participating in the first annual Best Buddies Indiana Champion of the Year Competition. A competition between a group of Best Buddies volunteers, participants, and community members, to raise money for Best Buddies Indiana during a limited amount of time. 

Here is a little bit about Kacy and Laura's friendship:

What's your favorite thing to do together?
Laura and I both love to cook, bake and try new restaurants when we’re together.  She’s a bit more adventurous than I am and she’s introduced me to some of her favorite Indian food spots in the city. We just started swapping recipes back and forth when we see each other so we can still try new recipes when we’re not together.  It’s only fitting that she is helping my Champion of the Year campaign by hosting a giveback night at Greeks Pizzeria in her hometown, Zionsville. Come stop by on October 16^th.

What do you like most about being involved with Citizens?

I really loved how natural the process was. The Best Buddies team really gets to know each person interested in becoming matched so they can pair him or her with the right person. I wasn’t involved in Best Buddies in high school or college and Citizens gives me the opportunity to be a part of what I was missing.

Laura, what’s your favorite thing about Kacy? 

Kacy and I like to have fun together. Kacy, my family, friends and I went to India Garden.

Kacy, what’s your favorite thing about Laura? 

My favorite thing about Laura is her laugh and how it spreads to everyone near her. Laura can be a strong silent type at first but once she opens up or talks about her dog, Daisy, she doesn’t stop smiling. It’s contagious.

Kacy, what motivated you to sign up to do Champion of the Year? Any big plans?

Juli Miller, former Best Buddies Indiana State Director, first introduced me to the Champion campaign this past spring. She has such a gift for connecting people with a mission and I immediately signed on after speaking with her. 

I wanted to tell the story of Best Buddies and help to be the voice of those who may not be in the unique position I am. I’ve really gotten behind the mission in the past two years since I’ve been involved in Best Buddies. I want to spread the mission to my peers, to the Indianapolis community and beyond my own reach. That’s what motivated me to becoming involved with Champion of the Year.

Big plans?
My family and friends are the best and have helped me plan and execute ideas to reach more people with the mission and bring funds back to a great cause. I have a few more events lined up throughout October that couldn’t have happened without them. I am also selling “Everybuddy is a Champion” t-shirts for $20 and ALL proceeds go back to Best Buddies.  Purchase one here: www.kacywendling.wix.com/championshirts

You can read more about Kacy's story and the Champion of the Year campaign here: BBIN Champion of the Year

Focus on Friendship: Amelia and Tarinagi

Amelia Anderson and Tarinagi Trinh are friends that attend Riverside Intermediate Jr. High School in Fishers, Indiana. Amelia was a 6^th grader and Tarinagi was a 5th grader this past school year and they both joined Best Buddies and formed an amazing friendship, spending valuable time to ether in and out of school.  Their friendship demonstrates the positive impact of Best Buddies in the school and community!

Why are you friends? 

Tarinagi: I like to talk to her! 

Amelia: He makes me smile!

During school, when did you enjoy spending time together? 

Both: When we were in the Teacher’s Lounge, we enjoyed helping each other sell candy.

What was your favorite in-school Best Buddies activity? 

Both: Our favorite school activities were our recreation days and cookie decorating in December before Winter Break.

What was your favorite out of school Best Buddies activity?

Ice-skating for thirty minutes was fun. Meeting some Indiana Pacers players was fun when we went to the game.

To learn more about Riverside's Best Buddies chapter, Indiana's Outstanding Middle School Chapter for 2013-2014, check out the video below.

Brian & Sam

Brian Ambrose and Sam Shelley are friends from Brownsburg High School. Both are in the 9^th grade and have been friends since Kindergarten. Growing up, Sam and Brian would hang out together inside and outside of school. This year, Brian decided to become involved in Best Buddies where he could spend more time with is life-long friend Sam. Through Best Buddies, the two have been able to continue and strengthen their friendship.

How long have you been involved in Best Buddies?

Sam has been a part of Best Buddies since middle school. Brian joined this year because of his friend Sam. 

What's your favorite thing about Brian?

Brian always has my back.

What's your favorite thing about Sam?

He is goofy and fun to be around.

What do you and Brian like to do together?

We like to play video games together and go to the pool.

Below is a picture of Brian and Sam and the rest of their chapter at  Brownsburg High School's End of the Year Party.

Shawn & Maddie

Shawn and Maddie at the 2014 BBIN Black & White Ball

We could share countless stories of friendships that have been made in our programs throughout the state of Indiana. Many times, these friendships begin when two people are matched in a friendship. However, sometimes there are special friendships that develop outside of a one-to-one friendship. 

Shawn and Maddie have one of these friendships. Members of the Purdue Best Buddies chapter, the pair has never officially been matched, but have developed a strong friendship and partnership as leaders in their chapter.

As she graduates this month, Shawn wanted to honor Maddie by telling everyone about what her friendship means to him.

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

It gives me hope, Best Buddies does. That there can be a better world for this generation. Best Buddies means true friendships.

What's your favorite thing about Maddie?

Her passion to help others

What do you and Maddie like to together?

We don't really hang out much, but when we do, just being around her makes me happy. She pushes me hard and is my biggest fan, but holds me accountable when I need it.

How has Best Buddies and your friendship changed your life?

It gives me a reason to believe in my self and others again. It gives me a reason to smile again.

Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

So they can be a part of an amazing program like Best Buddies that promotes acceptance and inclusion for everyone, because that's really what all of us want.

Lauren Wendling, college program manager for BBIN, said about the pair, "Shawn and Maddie are a true representation of Best Buddies.  They have a very natural friendship and support each other in all aspects of their lives."

A Month for Friendship

As we end the month of February and enter March, we look forward to celebrating Best Buddies month. March is the month we dedicate to celebrating friendships, jobs, advocacy, and social inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. What better time to celebrate another one of our outstanding friendships. 

Ella and Gabriel are both members of the Brownsburg West Middle School Best Buddies chapter and this is their first year together as a buddy pair. 

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

Gabriel: It means being able to see my buddy outside of school!

Ella: Best Buddies means to me helping out with kids who have a disability. Also, to learn about new experiences with them.

What's your favorite thing about your buddy?

Gabriel: She is nice and likes video games!

Ella: My favorite thing about my buddy is that he is hilarious! He is very friendly, responsible, nice, and funny. He can really make you laugh, even if you are in a bad mood. He is all the possible great character traits that you could think of.

What do you and your buddy like to do together?

Gabriel: Movies, video games, and crafts!

Ella: Gabe and I like to watch movies, play video games and other games, and go bowling together.

How has Best Buddies changed your life?

Gabriel: She [Ella] is someone I can count on.

Ella: Best Buddies has changed my life because you get to experience things that your buddy experiences throughout their life and day. 

Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

Gabriel: So they can have a good friend.

Ella: I think others should join Best Buddies because it would give them an experience and lessons with their buddy. You create a new friend and hangout with a new friend whenever you want!

Thankful for Friendship

As Thanksgiving approaches, you may have noticed the abundance of '30 Days of Thankfulness' posts popping up on your Facebook and Twitter feeds. As we think about what we are thankful for, we want to take a minute to reflect on friendship. Often times, friendship is something we take for granted, but something most of us can't imagine living without. Muhammad Ali once said: 

"Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything."

This month, we'd like to introduce you to Hannah and Rebecca. These two are a part of the Columbus East Best Buddies chapter and have been matched for two years.

As you read about this month's featured friendship, we hope you reflect on the friends in your life who help you be the best person you can be (and maybe send them a message to tell them thanks!)

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

Hannah: Best Buddies means friendship, inclusion beyond belief, and good times.

Rebecca: Best Buddies is where I can have fun and make people proud.

What's your favorite thing about your buddy?

Hannah: My favorite thing about Rebecca is that she is so nice and always willing to help me with whatever I need.

Rebecca: My favorite part about Hannah is that she's my best friend. She's nice to me and makes me happy.

What do you and your buddy like to do together?

Hannah: Rebecca and I like to do anything and everything together! I'd definitely say her favorite thing is going out to eat. My favorite memory is winter formal and then our sleepover!

Rebecca: I like having lunch or dinner together.

How has Best Buddies changed your life?

Hannah: Best Buddies has taught me that we all have disabilities, but it's the abilities that should be celebrated.

Rebecca: Hannah has taught me to be the best person I can be and how to be happy.

Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

Hannah: I think other people should join Best Buddies to meet new people, have a great time, and make friendship that will last a lifetime!

Rebecca: Join Best Buddies to meet new people!

Friendship, Acceptance, and Learning from Each Other

At the end of the last school year, we asked our chapter leaders to nominate some of the outstanding friendships from their chapter for our annual Buddy Pair of the Year award. Inspired by one of the nominations, we wanted to feature one of these friendships in this month's Focus on Friendship Blog. 

Marcella Seibert and Talina Velazquez both attend Westfield High School and have been matched for two years in the Best Buddies program. 

Below is part of the nomination we received praising this incredible friendship:

"Their friendship is inspiring.  They both have opened their hearts, encouraged laughter, and have demonstrated that friendship is one of life’s most precious gifts.  Their friendship is an incredible example for the world to see. Westfield High School and Best Buddies are blessed to have such an incredible example representing their organizations."

Here's a little bit from Talina and Marcella about their friendship:

What does Best Buddies mean to you?

Talina: It's great to hang out with friends on weekends, and Best Buddies makes me get to know a lot of people at my school.

Marcella: Best Buddies means so much to me.  I get to hang out with people who don't focus on image or exteriors, but who focus on what's on the inside. It is true friendship, which is what everyone needs at our age.

What is your favorite thing about your buddy?

Talina: My favorite thing about Marcella is that we hang out a lot.

Marcella: T always is ready to have fun.  She is rarely in a sour mood.  She has an amazing sense of humor and loves to goof around.

What do you and your buddy like to do together?
    
Talina & Marcella: We get our nails done, have girls' spa nights, movie nights, football games and go out to eat!

How has Best Buddies changed your life?

Talina: I have more friends because of Best Buddies.  I feel included.

Marcella: I know that because of Best Buddies I can make a difference.  I know that I will always have a true friend who will be there no matter what. It has taught me the meaning of true friendship.


Why do you think others should join Best Buddies?

Talina: It's very fun. It is a good experience for both the buddy and the peer buddy.

Marcella: It's a club where you get together to hang out with your friends. Who wouldn't want to join an organization like that?

To quote the nomination letter once more, "This pair represents what Best Buddies is all about: friendship, acceptance, and learning from each other."

We couldn't have said it better.