Page 49 - 2014 BestBuddies Massachussetts Annual Report

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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