We recently spoke to Jennfier Appleby, Executive Director at Best Buddies Canada, about the importance of the Best Buddies program and their upcoming fundraising event, The Thrill of Ascot, happening Saturday, June 7th.
“I have a passion for people. My passion is to advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities because I have a personal connection.”
Jennifer Appleby, Executive Director at Best Buddies Canada
Company: Best Buddies Canada
Workhaus Location: 2 Sheppard Avenue East
Connect: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin
Best Buddies Canada is a registered charity working to foster lasting friendships between those with and without an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD). They do this by delivering structured friendship programs in schools all over the country. Best Buddies began over 50+ years ago in the United States, founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, nephew of President John F. Kennedy. The Canadian arm of the program was established in 1993 by Daniel J. Greenglass and Penny Shore. Today, there are Best Buddies programs operating in over 49 countries and territories worldwide, working to promote inclusion, acceptance, and friendship.
“Our program helps alleviate loneliness and isolation and builds leadership skills, independence, and confidence through friendships. Our vision for the future is a world that fosters awareness and inclusion and supports individuals with an IDD. This means working hard to expand our network of caring volunteers across the country to new schools and communities where we can continue to foster awareness and inclusivity through lasting friendships.” – The Best Buddies Canada Vision Statement
We recently spoke to Jennfier Appleby, Executive Director at Best Buddies Canada, about the importance of the Best Buddies program and their upcoming fundraising event, The Thrill of Ascot, happening Saturday, June 7th, 11AM-3PM.
Jennifer is a passionate advocate for individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to joining Best Buddies, she worked as a Program Director for the Special Olympics. This involved overseeing volunteer development, working with provincial and territorial chapters, and expanding Special Olympics school programs throughout the country. Her involvement with organizations like Best Buddies and Special Olympics dates back to her high school years.
Best Buddies creates programs in schools and recruits volunteer leadership teams to oversee them. These teams match students with IDD with other students, fostering friendship through activities and events. Jennifer explains, “What tends to happen is the buddy pairs start developing natural friendships outside of just the programs, and they’ll start contacting each other outside of school and getting together outside of school. And beautiful friendships start happening.”
“Beautiful friendships start happening.”
Best Buddies programs help to tackle a major underlying issue: social isolation. “For the individual who has an intellectual and developmental disability, they feel a sense of belonging and connection in the community. And somebody at their school is looking out for them,” Jennifer told us.
Within the population of people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, the rate of mental health issues are significantly higher. Jennifer continues to emphasize the essential role of community in reducing the effects of isolation on mental health. “There are a number of reasons why the rate is higher, but a big part of it is because they are socially isolated, and they don’t have a large circle. They don’t have a social circle around them compared to people without an individual and developmental disability. So they do feel lonely, and it leads to depression, anxiety.”
Research shows that structured friendship programs help relieve psychological distress. Having a strong circle is crucial. “But it doesn’t happen naturally,” Jennifer notes. “So that’s why our programs are so important, because it needs to be a structured program that actually matches the students together.”
The Most rewarding part of her work? “Walking into a Best Buddy program, and seeing the inclusion within a classroom setting, and how happy all of the participants are,” said Jennifer. “What we do is very rewarding. You can sit at your desk and do your work all week long, and then you can go to a program and then you can actually see the benefits of the work firsthand.”
Best Buddies Canada is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year, The Thrill of Ascot, on Saturday, June 7th, 11AM-3PM at Woodbine Racetrack. “It’s an amazing afternoon of celebration, friendship, and supporting Best Buddies Canada,” Jennifer says. “Funds raised through the event will help us to expand more Best Buddies Canada friendship programs across the country.”
The event features a sit-down lunch followed by horse races, food stations, giveaways, vendors, and raffles. “It really touches people’s hearts because a lot of the time people know someone with an intellectual and developmental disability. So they understand the importance of it,” Jennifer adds.
Best Buddies Canada does not receive any direct government funding. Their important work has been made possible through strong corporate partnerships and generous donations from good friends. That means community support is vital to increasing awareness of the Best Buddies mission, and raising funds to help support and expand their programming. Best Buddies Canada’s impact is profound, fostering inclusion and friendship in communities nationwide. By supporting their programs and events like The Thrill of Ascot, you can help create a world where everyone belongs.
A range of sponsorship packages are available for companies who would like to get involved. All packages include the sponsor’s logo and/or name prominently displayed at the event. Tax receipts will be issued to sponsors for the maximum allowable amount. To RSVP and for sponsorship inquiries, contact Jennifer at (416) 531-0003 or jennifera@bestbuddies.ca
7 years ago
1 year ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago