By Matt Kurnick
(April 17, 2009) Illinois State University has had Best Buddies on campus for nearly 20 years now and on April 5 this registered student organization was recognized as the 2009 Outstanding Established Program at the Commitment to Diversity Awards Recognition Ceremony held on Illinois State's campus.
Best Buddies is a student organization that works with the McLean County Association for Retarded Citizens (MARC) to pair up Illinois State undergraduate students with local citizens with intellectual disabilities. The pairings are designed to promote lasting and meaningful friendships. The Illinois State chapter is one of the oldest in the country, and now was as fitting a time as any for the group to be recognized as an outstanding established program.
"Best Buddies is here to foster relationships and friendships between people with special needs and those same-aged peers," said Dr. Paula Crowley, Best Buddies faculty advisor and professor of Special Education at the university.
"I was most pleased with the recognition of this group's longevity at the university. It really seemed fitting to acknowledge that Best Buddies has been around doing good for a long time. The resulting friendships are often really profound and meaningful."
Best Buddies is an international organization with chapters in places like Mexico, Japan, and Canada. The students that comprise the ISU Chapter are just as diverse. ISU has buddies that major in math, special education, and history among others.
The president and college buddy director at ISU, Jeanetta Fahrner, is an exercise science major. For Fahrner, getting involved with Best Buddies as a freshman was an easy decision.
"I wanted to gain experience working with people," Fahrner said. "I saw the stand on the quad. I eventually want to be an occupational therapist so I could eventually work with people with intellectual and physical disabilities. That's what drew me to it."
As a freshman, Fahrner who is now a junior, was paired up with a young man named Donald and their friendship has grown since then. The group makes a conscious effort to maintain established friendships keeping their pairs together as long as they work out.
Buddy pairs are required to be in contact at least once a week whether it be on the phone, via e-mail, or in person. The pairs are also minimally required to meet once a month in person. Crowley shared that bowling, movies, and trips to the mall are typical meeting activities. The organization also organizes monthly social events that involve food and music which buddy pairs are required to attend. The 2009 ISU Best Buddy Chapter admitted 60 Illinois State students. Best Buddy socials can frequently involve up to 150 people.
Other activities the buddies get involved in include several service ventures like raising money for local charities and cleaning up litter along the Constitution Trail. During the holiday season the organization even adopted families who are less fortunate. The group provided gifts and custom made cards by the buddies.
Best Buddies has turned into an organization that benefits everyone who is touched by it.
"It's a mutual thing," Fahrner said. "I've learned so much through my buddy that I don't think I would have had the chance to if I hadn't been in the program. I really, really value that. Had I not been exposed to Best Buddies I would have never been able to grow as a person and really appreciate what others have to offer. We have a great time, there are great people in the program. We learn a lot and make a huge impact on others' lives. It's great because sometimes people don't think they have much to offer, but they do; and you can make a difference in your buddy's life."
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