Mentoring Programs

When people with disabilities are unable to attain or maintain a job, it is most often due to an absence of social skills, rather than an inadequacy to perform the work required. Best Buddies introduces socialization and leadership opportunities providing the necessary tools for people with intellectual ad developmental disabilities to become more independent and more included in the community. Best Buddies Middle and High Schools matches students with intellectual disabilities with other middle and high school students and creates one-to-one friendships between them. In today's middle and high schools, students with intellectual disabilities often enter the same building and walk the same hallways as their peers, but are frequently left out of social activities. By introducing Best Buddies to public and private middle and high schools, we are crossing the invisible line that too often separates those with disabilities from those without. Best Buddies Colleges matches people with intellectual disabilities with other college students and creates one-to-one friendships between them. In the past, individuals with intellectual disabilities have not had the opportunity to have friends outside of their own, often isolated, environment. E-Buddies creates e-mail friendships between people with and without intellectual disabilities. Using the technology of e-mail, e-Buddies brings additional unconventional opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities. Best buddies Promoters empowers youth to become advocates for people with intellectual and bring awareness to the disability rights movementBest buddies Citizens fosters one-to-one friendships between adults with and without IDD in corporate and civic communities. This program helps people with IDD become part of mainstream society and creates an inclusive and diverse community for all.Best Buddies Ambassadors educates and empowers people with IDD through group trainings and workshops to be leaders and public speakers in their schools, communities, and work places. Best Buddies Ambassadors is the next step for the disability rights movement-Teaching people with IDD the skills they need to successfully self-advocate. Best Buddies Jobs is a supported employment program that secures competitive paying jobs for people with IDD, therefore enabling them to work as respected individuals. The program develops partnerships with employers, assists with the hiring process, and provides ongoing support to the employee and employer.

Adult Mentoring Programs
Home/Community Based Developmental Disabilities Programs
Mentoring Programs
Peer to Peer Networking
Supported Employment
Transition Services for Students with Disabilities

Provides advocacy and support services for children in the custody of the NM Children, Youth and Families Department.

Child Advocacy Centers
Children's Rights Groups
Mentoring Programs
Mentoring Services Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Development
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Recruitment/Placement
Volunteer Training

Provides advocacy and support for children in the custody of the NM Children, Youth and Families Department.

Child Advocacy Centers
Children's Rights Groups
Mentoring Programs
Mentoring Services Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Development
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Recruitment/Placement
Volunteer Training