Page 6 - 2014 BestBuddies Massachussetts Annual Report

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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