Earlier this year, Abe and George attended the Buddies United In Leadership Developement training (or BUILD) in Indiana.

Buddies United in Leadership Development (BUILD) is an event by Best Buddies International to prepare buddy ambassadors to become community leaders through public speaking. The training on December 12th is New Mexico’s first and is planned to be an annual event.

Ten buddies representing Albuquerque area high schools and the University of New Mexico chapter will receive a day-long training learning to write and present a speech. They will give their speeches at a reception later that evening. Buddies, their Best Buddy Friend (Peer Buddy), parents, and guests will be in attendance. The training is being taught by Kali Wasenko, Best Buddies International Headquarters, Miami. Chapters include Eldorado High, Rio Rancho High, Sandia High, and UNM.

BBNM has its first two Buddy Ambassadors! Abe and George attend Leadership Conference: Buddies United in Leadership Development Training

The training helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities develop skills to speak to an audience, recognize their hidden talents and see themselves as leaders in our community. Abe and George, both from Eldorado High School completed the workshops with 23 other Buddies from around the world.

Best Buddies also broke new ground, with an alumnus teaching the public speaking and speech writing classes to the buddies for the first time. Rachel said it was her life’s dream to be able to teach and share her talents so others can learn. She is looking forward to one day being able to spreading the mission around the world and how Best Buddies changed her life.

NM’s own Buddy, Abe inspired the 1000+ attendees at Best Buddies 20^th anniversary dance telling them how he wanted Best Buddies in NM, his top ten reasons for Best Buddies and how he is helping to spread the mission. He was interrupted several times with cheers of ABE, ABE, ABE and “We Are Best Buddies”

George inspired the NM delegation of Chapter Presidents with his speech highlighting how important his friendship is to him. He made many new friends from all over the world. It was inspiring seeing other students without disabilities asking him to have lunch with him.

But more profound than the speeches was the process. Every buddy grew personally as they discussed how life was without Best Buddies and the impact it has had on their lives. We saw their self-esteem grow as they walked through each step, then completed something they never thought would be possible- giving a speech. Although each person’s journey is different, the theme was a quickly apparent. Each person wants to be seen as an individual with abilities and feelings. Each person wants to be accepted and share their friendships with someone else. And each friendship is invaluable.

And through Best Buddies it is happening in 22 states and 44 countries. Now it is beginning to happen in New Mexico. Throughout this conference, we were given a special gift of seeing how the world could be, a place where individuals with disabilities get asked to go out to dinner on a regular basis, where they are asked by strangers to dance at a community dance, where their ideas are not only valued, but cheered, where they can take the microphone at karaoke night and everyone sings and dances with them.

For one weekend, this was the perfect world. If we can do it one weekend, why not 2? Why not 52? If we can do it 52 weekends, why not 365 days, why not every day?  When that happens, we have achieved our mission.

Thank you George and Abe on giving us some very special gifts- the gift of your feelings, your trust, your honesty and most importantly your friendship. The weekend was so amazing; we are planning on bringing the BUILD Training to New Mexico.
]]> http://www.bestbuddiesnewmexicoblog.info/2009/09/01/best-buddies-nm-leadership/feed/ 0 http://www.bestbuddiesnewmexicoblog.info/2009/08/25/school-chapters-best-buddies/ http://www.bestbuddiesnewmexicoblog.info/2009/08/25/school-chapters-best-buddies/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:57:14 +0000 bestbuddiesnm http://www.bestbuddiesnewmexicoblog.info/?p=260

IT’S A NEW SCHOOL YEAR CHAPTERS ARE RAMPING UP

2009-10 will be off to great start with recruitment happening at the University of New Mexico, Sandia High, Eldorado High, Cibola High, Rio Grande High, Rio Rancho High, Grants High and DeVargas Middle School. For UNM, Cibola, Rio Rancho, and Grants this will mark their first year of matching students in one-to-one friendships! For everyone, this will be the first full year that New Mexico will have buddies and peer buddies committed to each other for the full school year. We fully expect to triple our participation once membership applications are submitted! With two additional schools under development,

For those unfamiliar with the Best Buddies program, peer buddies are matched with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities based on interests to create one-to-one friendships. Peer Buddies make contact with their buddy weekly and spend quality time together twice monthly, in and out of school. Many of our buddy pairs spend much more time together, doing things like working out at the gym/community centers, attending dance and arts classes, shopping and just hanging out playing video games.  For both our buddies and peer buddies, it is a life changing experience!

In 09-10, we are planning some great events. We will be providing Buddy Leadership Training in October for 10 Buddies. We are holding our First Bowl-a-thon on September 19. We will hold Best Buddies Night at the Thunderbirds in January, a walk-a-thon in March and a Prom, planned by our own Buddies, for April!

Membership applications are now available at www.bestbuddiesonline.org

For more information contact Amanda @ 559-4227 or email amandagonzales@bestbuddies.org

STATEMENT FROM ANTHONY KENNEDY SHRIVER

It is with a somber heart that I share my Mother’s new journey, yet joyful Resurrection, to be at the side of Jesus Christ. It is satisfying to know that she is joining her beloved brothers, sisters and parents in a perfect place that will bring her peace, everlasting happiness and eternal comfort. My Mother, whom my siblings and I loved infinitely, will be missed deeply; though she shall never be forgotten. Her indomitable spirit lives on in her 5 children, 19 grandchildren,
and loving husband Sargent; as well as through the millions of individuals with intellectual disabilities around the world whose lives have been directly enhanced in meaningful ways given her relentless passion and determination to uplift our friends within both the Special Olympics and Best Buddies organizations, such that everyone ultimately could be included and happily contribute within our collective communities. My Mother’s work to improve the world we share was always personal, abundant and forever inspiring.

Anthony Kennedy Shriver
Founder and Chairman
Best Buddies International

Read more about Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our very first live stream which will be broadcast worldwide on the web from the 20th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference! This weekend is our largest and most valuable programmatic event. Over 900 Best Buddies participants and staff from around the globe will descend upon Indiana University to participate in leadership trainings, learn together in educational forums, listen to nationally renowned guest speakers, and join in our mission of friendship.

Log on to www.bestbuddies.org/webstream this Friday, July 24th from 6:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. MDT for Opening Ceremonies, Saturday, July 25th from 6:30a.m. – 10:30a.m. MDT for Live Education Sessions and again from 5:30p.m. – 7:00p.m. MDT for Outstanding Chapter of the Year Awards. Best Buddies wants you to be a part of our incredible celebration and witness our mission in action!

We hope that you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy a front row seat at the 20th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference. Our live stream will feature our founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver, inspirational speeches from our participants with intellectual disabilities, motivational speaker Kevin Wanzer, Soeren Palumbo and his “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign to ban the R-word, the Best Buddies Fashion Show debuting the new BB20 merchandise, and more! This is the first time Best Buddies will be sharing the amazing conference experience live online. We are excited to invite you to be a part of this extraordinary event.

Thank you for your support of our mission 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. Join us live online at the 20th Annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference!

Katie Meade, a young woman with an intellectual disability, has this to say about her participation in Best Buddies:

“I am helping to break down the barriers people with intellectual disabilities face every day. There are still people out there who think people with disabilities can’t do the same things they can. But I prove them wrong by being a full-time employee, volunteer, and friend. I believe in myself and all people with disabilities, and I know we can make the world see the abilities of people with disabilities.”

What if we could spread the Best Buddies mission to every state in the nation, including yours? What if every person with intellectual disability had the chance, as Katie has had through Best Buddies, to achieve their dreams? You can help the world see the abilities of people with disabilities!

We are thrilled to have legislation pending before Congress that, if passed, would enable us to open a Best Buddies office in every state. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill in April, and it is now in the Senate.

We need your help to move this important piece of legislation! Would you contact New Mexico Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall and ask them to co-sponsor S.694, The Best Buddies Empowerment for People with Intellectual Disabilities Act of 2009? Once this bill becomes law, we could secure the funds necessary to launch Best Buddies in all 50 states.

To contact Senator Bingaman, call 505-346-6601 or click below to send an e-mail:

http://bingaman.senate.gov/contact/types/email-issue.cfm

To contact Senator Udall, call 505-346-6791 or click below to send an e-mail:

http://tomudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Our participants, faculty advisors, parents, and supporters speak best for the impact of Best Buddies. According to Heather Dana-Lozano, Faculty Advisor at Cajon High School, “Best Buddies benefits people with disabilities, as well as people without. Lives are changed and friendships are created…There is no club on campus that has made more of an impact on the lives of the students and staff than Best Buddies.”

Working together, we can make a difference in the lives of thousands of children and adults with intellectual disabilities and help build a truly inclusive society. Thank you so much for your help. It is supporters like you who keep Best Buddies strong.

Thank you.

All the best,

Anthony K. Shriver
Founder and Chairman
Best Buddies International

Best Buddies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Visit www.bestbuddies.org to find out more.

Best Buddies New Mexico Friendship Bowl 2009

September 19, 2009

WELCOME TO Best Buddies New Mexico Friendship Bowl. Best Buddies is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities through one-on-one friendships and integrated employment. Best Buddies New Mexico has 8 chapters in New Mexico with a growing waiting list for additional chapters.

Social isolation is the number one challenge facing individuals with intellectual disabilities. Best Buddies creates opportunities to overcome those challenges and fully integrate in our society through peer-to-peer friendships and community events. By participating in the bowl-a-thon, you are helping us open additional chapters; fund our annual events such as Best Buddies Prom; and open the doors of our communities to individuals with intellectual disabilities of all ages.

Thank you for taking the time and effort to participate in the Friendship Bowl and assist us in our fundraising. For more information, please feel free to contact Kevin Cronk, State Director at 505-559-4227 or kevincronk@bestbuddies.org.

Event Location:
Lucky 66 Bowl
6132 Fourth Street NW
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Need directions? Click here for a map

Event Schedule:
7/1/2009
Begin your fundraising, and enter any pledges you have already received.
8/14/2009
Deadline to submit offline Bowling Schedules
- If your team chooses not to register online, this is your last chance to submit all offline forms, including Team Roster and Bowling Shift request form.
- Lane Shift requests will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis.

Best Buddies New Mexico Friendship Bowl 2009

TIME TO BOWL
9/19/2009
Shift 1 should be at Lucky 66 Bowl by 11:30 to begin at noon. Shift two should arrive at 3:00 to start at 3:30. Have fun!
9/30/2009
All pledges not already submitted via the website must be in by this time. Pledges received after September 30th will count towards Chapter Totals, but not towards individual fundraising prizes.

Fees:
Registration: $10.00
$50 MINIMUM FUNDRAISING
Includes 3 hours of bowling, shoe rental, Best Buddies New Mexico T-Shirt, gift bag, snack and soft drink, prizes for achieving fundraising over $100!
Registration after August 19 is $25.

Rewards:

Participant Level
7-10 Master ($1,000.00 + )
A) Nintendo Wii
B) Mountain Bike
C) VIP Pizza Extravaganza for Your Whole Chapter!
D) $150 Cash to the chapter of your choice!!!

Strike King ($750.00 – $999.00)
A) Nintendo DS Lite
B) Pizza Party for 10 at ITZ
C) Wii Fit
D) $100 Cash to the chapter of your choice!!!

Turkey Shooter ($500.00 – $749.00)
A) 2 Xbox360, Nintendo Wii, or Playstation3 Games
B) Complete Dinner For Two at Chili’s or Applebee’s
C) $75 Movie Theater Gift Card
D) $75 Cash to the chapter of your choice!!!

Reliable Spare ($250.00 – $499.00)
A) $50 Dollar Best Buddies Merchandise Certificate
B) Board Game Bundle
C) Gift Card Grab Bag – Movies, Entertainment, Food, and More!
D) $30 Cash to the Chapter of your choice

10 Pin Knockout ($100.00 – $249.00)
A) $20 Best Buddies Merchandise Gift Certificate
B) Two Tickets to the Albuquerque Zoo
C) Two Free Movie Tickets

Sign up for the Bowl-A-Thon

Bowling ball photo credit: Toni Blay on Flickr

Author
Kevin Cronk

A son asked his mother, Mom, “When will I learn to use a computer?”, and she replied, ”I’m sorry son, but never.” He then asked, “Mom when will I have friends and go to parties like the other kids?” and Mom answered, “Never.” He followed with, “Mom, when will I have a girlfriend like the other boys at school?” and Mom once again answered, “Never”. Not to give up, he asked again,” Mom when will I work as an actor, become famous and travel to other countries?” and Mom, now in tears answered “Never son, never.”

A little dramatic, yes. But it reality for so many of our friends in New Mexico- individual who have intellectual disabilities are constantly faced with the walls of NEVER. Never because they live in social isolation and do not have the opportunities the rest of are afforded. But Best Buddies can break down those NEVERS one at a time. And it all start with simple friendship. After all, a friend is just someone who believe in you and encourages you to achieve the dreams that lie within your own heart. And everyone has dreams.

Today, we have 50 buddy pairs matched up in New Mexico. But come the start of school we will have hundreds more as our newest chapters take root. Thank you for your support in making that dream a reality. But that is not enough, There are another 8 schools waiting for chapters which we cannot start until we can find the funding. Those chapters represent an additional 100 buddies, 100 nevers. We all have the power to break a never. We all can join the bowl-a-thon, volunteer on our income development team, or make a donation, no matter how large or small. Even the smallest gift of time or funds can shatter a never forever. Will you please help us, and will you please pass this onto someone you know. It may help them shatter their own Never!

Help support Best Buddies by donating items for our silent auction!

Our first charity event will be on Thursday, June 11th, 6-9PM, at Chroma Studios. For more information, read our event post.

To make a donation, please call or e-mail Kevin Cronk at 505-559-4227.

Below is a list of suggested items for the silent auction.

Best Buddies New Mexico Kevin Cronk 505.559.4227 1606 Central SE Suite 105 Albuquerque, NM 87106 Web site: www.bestbuddiesnewmexico.org Blog: bestbuddiesnewmexico.wordpress.com	Chroma Studios Paula Manning-Lewis 505.554.3805 600 1st Street NW, Suite 100 & 210 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Web site: www.chromabq.com

Come join us at Chroma Studios for Best Buddies New Mexico’s first charity fundraiser. Enjoy an evening of classical guitar by Aaron Lewis; view a contemporary art gallery showcasing some of New Mexico’s finest artists; socialize with New Mexicans from Twitter; and enjoy champagne and appetizers!

Thursday, June 11th, 6:00-9:00PM @ 600 1st St. NW

Support Best Buddies New Mexico:

• Donate—Suggested donation $15.00

• Silent Auction

• 10% of all Gallery sales during the event go to Best Buddies NM

Why Best Buddies?

“You can’t just go buy a Buddy. It’s special. Somebody has to give you the gift of being a friend.” – Abe, Eldorado High Student

Abe’s right, you can’t just go buy a buddy. But we can support Best Buddies New Mexico, a program which enhances the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities by creating one-to-one friendships. We currently have chapters in Cibola, Eldorado, Sandia, Rio Grande, and Grants High Schools, DeVargas Middle School and UNM.

Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant, international organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 1,400 middle schools, high schools, and college campuses across the country and internationally.

Best Buddies New Mexico is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.

Best Buddies New Mexico Kevin Cronk 505.559.4227 1606 Central SE Suite 105 Albuquerque, NM 87106 Web site: www.bestbuddiesnewmexico.org Blog: bestbuddiesnewmexico.wordpress.com	Chroma Studios Paula Manning-Lewis 505.554.3805 600 1st Street NW, Suite 100 & 210 Albuquerque, NM 87102 Web site: www.chromabq.com