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| By Paula Canning Staff Writer HOLYOKE Best Buddies Massachusetts, a program that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of those with intellectual disabilities, has recently expanded to Holyoke and is currently recruiting adults to participate in the program. The program pairs together those with intellectual disabilities with someone in their community in the hope that a long-lasting friendship will form, according to Matthew Andrews, who manages the High Street office. With its main state office in Boston, Andrews explained that Best Buddies is an international organization that sponsors six formal programs including middle school, high school and college programs all aimed to improve the lives of those with intellectual disabilities. Andrews said that, although these programs have been present throughout western Massachusetts for the past 10 years, the expansion is marked by the start of the Best Buddies Citizens Program, which was not previously offered in the area. According to Andrews, the Citizens Program is designed to serve adults age 18 and over. He explained that the benefit of the program is that it allows those with intellectual disabilities who don't normally have a great deal of interaction with the public to have the opportunity for meaningful and long lasting friendships. "A lot of these people just don't have the chance to form ordinary friendships," Andrews said, explaining that their contact with other people is often limited to family or paid support. "That's the benefit of this program," he said. "It opens up a whole new world to somebody who has lived a sheltered life." He explained that in addition to fostering friendships, the program also promotes acceptance and challenges the stereotypes associated with the mentally disabled. In addition to benefiting participants with disabilities, Andrews explained that taking part in the program is frequently a positive experience for those volunteer their time. "A volunteer who might never otherwise [have formed a friendship] with someone with an intellectual disability is given the opportunity to expand their horizons," Andrews said. He went on to explain that once these volunteers meet and spend time with their "buddy" their assumption about the intellectually disabled disappear. "The [volunteers] learn that in reality the disabled person is just as dependable, loveable and committed to being a good friend as anyone else," he said. The process of pairing up two people begins with the recruiting process, in which Andrews tries to fit two people according to age, gender interests and location. He said that regardless of how the buddies choose to spend their time together whether it be meeting for lunch or dinner, going to see a concert, or playing a game of cards they must both commit to meeting in person at least twice a month. He said that although volunteers are asked to spend at least six months with their buddy, the friendship that is formed often extends beyond that minimum requirement. "People will sign up to do the program for six months, but rarely do they stop after six months," Andrews said. He said that while the friendships can be a bit "awkward," "the friendships usually take on a life of its own," once more time is spent together. "Many of these people end up forming lifelong friendships," Andrews explained. He explained finding those with disabilities to take part in the program is made easier by the location of the office in the same building of Multi-cultural Community Services on High Street. He explained that being so close to the organization, which provides services to people with disabilities, has helped him to "plug into the community," and recruit participants. The challenge, however, he explained, has been finding adults willing to volunteer. Andrews explained that he is in the process of recruiting adults to take part in the program, and that his goal is to have at least 25 matches by the end of the summer by setting up two or three matches a month. If you are interested in taking part in the Best Buddies Citizens Program, call Andrews at (413) 420 - 0114 or reach him by email at MatthewAndrews@bestbuddies.org. Founded in 1989 by Anthony Shriver, Best Buddies began with one original chapter and now operates on 1,000 middle school, high school and college campuses worldwide. For more information, visit www.bestbuddies.org. |