Bay Area Buddy Ambassador Training A Beautiful Success!

On March 19, Best Buddies California was proud to host a Buddies Ambassadors training in the Bay Area.  Buddies Ambassadors is the 7^th and newest program of Best Buddies International.  The program educates and empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to be leaders and public speakers in their schools, communities, and workplaces. 

A Buddies Ambassadors training comprises a full day of workshop activities led by Best Buddies staff.  An Ambassador, or a person with IDD, is matched one-on-one with a volunteer Speech Coach.  A Speech Coach may be a friend from the Ambassador’s Best Buddies chapter, or a community member from elsewhere.  Together, the Ambassador and Speech Coach attend workshops, write and practice a speech.  Workshop topics include public speaking techniques and how to draft an introduction, body and conclusion to a speech.  At the end of the day, all Buddy Ambassadors deliver their speech to each other’s applause.

Best Buddies Ambassadors is the next step for the Disability Justice Movement, teaching people with IDD the skills they need to successfully advocate.  Best Buddies Ambassadors prepares people with IDD to become active agents of change.  For example, Gena Luna, client at the ARC of San Francisco, said that she could use speech-writing to prepare for her planning meetings for her Individual Person Plan.  Gena also suggested using speech-writing to prepare for her visits to Sacramento, where she regularly attends protests against budget cuts to services for people with disabilities.

Buddy Ambassador Training Participants and Coaches

Fourteen people overall participated in the workshop.  Ambassadors attended from the ARC of San Francisco; Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville, California; and Campbell, California.  Speech Coaches attended from the University of San Francisco, Berkeley High School, Alameda High School, and the greater San Francisco community.

The most emotional moment was assuredly the delivery of the speeches.  All Ambassadors described the importance of Best Buddies and friendship in their lives:

·        - With his father in the audience, Michael Wireman of Vacaville, California, shared the joy he takes in running and health

·       -  With his mother in the audience, Michael Kelley of Campbell, California spoke about his love for riding in the Best Buddies Hearst Castle Challenge

·        - Gena Luna of San Francisco, California, talked about the importance of the ARC of San Francisco and self-advocacy

·         -John Hammond of San Francisco, California, described his leadership role in coordinating events for the University of San Francisco’s chapter of Best Buddies

·         -John Coulter of San Francisco, California, described his close friendship with his College Buddy, Kelsey McFarland

After the delivery of their speeches, all participants were awarded certificates of completion and honored as official Best Buddies’ Buddy Ambassadors.  Certified Ambassadors can speak at Best Buddies events such as upcoming Best Buddies 5k Friendship Walk – San Francisco.  John Coulter summed up the training best, stating, “I loved it.”

Participants were given Certificates of Completion

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[i] An IPP is a personal evaluation of the life history and goals of a person with an intellectual or developmental disability, developed over time with a consumer’s family and support staff.

High School Student with Fragile X Syndrome Wins the Coveted Mr. Ram Contest!

Mr. Ram is Millikan High School's one and only talent based show for senior males. It shares similarities to a Homecoming Court Contest.  Becoming an eligible contestant is no easy task. It is extremely competitive, and requires the students to provide the following: 5 recommendations from past teachers, sign a student commitment and responsibility form, fill out a bio questionnaire, sign a Mr. Ram Contract, and perform a talent for 2 minutes.

The contest is judged by neutral judges- typically not affiliated with Millikan High School.  The contestants are judged on 3 major categories; Talent, Costume Design, and Evening Attire-with a number of opportunities within each category to score points. Additionally, the student candidates must answer a series of questions, and compete against 20 other qualified candidates!

Students Cheering for James!

James, a student that has Fragile X Syndrome and is a part of the Best Buddies High School chapter at MHS decided to enter the Mr. Ram competition this year.  With the support of his Peer Buddy and several Associate Members in his Best Buddies chapter, he successfully made it into the competition, and through all of the levels of the competition, to the finals. 

During the finals, James performed a 2 minute circus themed drum solo, while his Peers supported him by dressing up as clowns and doing a variety of juggling acts while he played his solo as a circus conductor.

James on the Drums while his Peers "Clown Around"

After an outstanding performance, James was awarded the much coveted title of Mr. Ram for having the BEST talent!  This award meant so much to James, and was a huge milestone for Millikan High School- where James was the first student with Special Needs to ever be awarded this title!

James as Mr. Ram!

Through the support of the outstanding individuals that support the Best Buddies program at Millikan High School, and throughout the Long Beach Unified School District, entire campuses like Millikan have truly been transformed by the power of friendship, acceptance, and inclusion.













Fragile X syndrome is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disabilities. The syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in 3600 males and 1 in 4000 to 6000 females. For more information about Fragile X Syndrome, you can visit www.fragilex.org.  

For more information about the Southern California Branch of this organization, please visit www.fraxsocal.org

Spotlight on Thomas K. at Sprouts Farmers Market

Spotlight on Thomas K. at Sprouts Farmers Market

Thomas K. started at Sprouts Farmers Market in Culver City on November 3, 2010.    Thomas works as a Courtesy Clerk and assists customers with bagging groceries, gathers carts in the parking lot, and helps keep the store looking clean.  

Sprouts has been a supporter of the Jobs program since the Culver City store opened in June, 2010.  Sprouts has employed other Best Buddies Jobs participants and is very supportive of the Best Buddies mission of transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities.  The atmosphere at Sprouts is always welcoming and encouraging, for both employees and customers.

In fact, it is the fun and warm atmosphere that Thomas enjoys best about working at Sprouts.  Thomas states that the people are the main reason why he loves his job.  “I love working with my coworkers, doing a good job, and making new friends,” he said.  Thomas is very social and loves talking sports with his coworkers, but he makes sure that doing a good job is his priority when he’s at work.   

One coworker in particular has been especially effective in working with Thomas.  Janice Aaron, a cashier at Sprouts, has worked closely with Thomas since he first began work at Sprouts.  Janice states that it is “amazing working with Thomas.  Considering any adversity he may have, Thomas still does his best.”  Janice helped Thomas learn the new skill of bagging groceries and she continues to offer Thomas encouragement and tips each day that they work together.  “He listens to instructions and accepts positive criticism with grace,” Janice says.  “I’m a big fan of his.  The customers like him too.” 

Thomas and Janice

Thomas’ mother Meredith Keyes explained why it was so important for her that Thomas has the support he needs on the job.  “Best Buddies Jobs is incredible,” she says.   Meredith explained that Thomas has had jobs before, but that he “hasn’t had the job coaching experience before and it’s wonderful.  He is able to learn new things that others thought that he couldn’t learn.” 

Thomas says that he has already learned a lot at Sprouts and is looking forward to learning more.  "I enjoy working at Sprouts," Thomas said.  "I want to learn something new."

Best Buddies Bay Area Participants Enjoy a Clay Aiken Concert at The Warfield in San Francisco

Twelve lucky Best Buddies participants from the Bay Area were able to attend the Clay Aiken concert on March 12^th, 2011 at The Warfield in San Francisco.  This opportunity was made possible by an organization called The Way We Make a Difference. (TWWMD).  TWWMD was formed by a group of dedicated Aiken fans who wanted to support his belief in inclusion for all by offering a chance for people with and without disabilities to share in the excitement of seeing Clay Aiken in concert.

Cindy and Huong

Reception for the free tickets was outstanding! Buddies and Peer Buddies that were able to go to the concert had the time of their life.  UC Berkeley College Buddy Huong Nguyen and her Buddy Cindy Fass found the concert a great opportunity for a Buddy Pair activity.  

Huong said of the night, “The Clay Aiken concert was amazing and my buddy had so much fun! He sang a bunch of love songs from the 50's and 60’s, which seemed to be right up her ally and a nice change of music from the stuff I usually listen to.”

Many people know of Clay Aiken as a singer and former American Idol contestant, but do not know about his passionate work with inclusion.   The committee of women who comprise The Way We Make a Difference project has accomplished much more than the members ever dreamed it might.  During the Clay Aiken’s first tour, almost 1500 people were given free tickets to see Clay perform.