The Bay Area Buddy Ball!

On Saturday, March 17, the San Francisco office held its first Buddy Ball at the University of San Francisco. Participants from all over the Bay Area came to dance, sing, and meet people from other chapters. Buddy Ambassador, Champ Pederson, opened the night with a short speech welcoming everyone to the buddy ball and encouraging them to “get down with your bad self.” When the music started, everyone got on the floor and danced to current chart toppers and oldie-but-goodies. A crowd favorite was the opportunity to karaoke throughout the night. Favorite singers of the night were Lowell High School buddies, Brian Hayes singing Michael Jackson’s, “You are Not Alone,” and Gian Portuguez singing the Star Spangled Banner. Another exciting moment was when Lady Gaga’s song, “Born this Way” came on and dancers broke out the Best Buddies Flash Mob dance, which they learned for the October 16^th Flash Mob held at Ferry Plaza. The BBCA staff in San Francisco would like to give a special thanks to Lowell High School, George Washington High School, and the Arc of San Francisco for bringing such a great crowd and making it so much fun!  The Bay Area’s next event is the Annual 5K Friendship Walk on Saturday, April 28 located in Crissy Fields in San Francisco.

Best Buddies California Buddy Ambassador Trainings

Best Buddies California’s two offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco held incredibly successful Buddy Ambassador Trainings on Saturday, March 10.  In total, there were 20 Buddy Ambassadors trained on Saturday and 24 Speech Coaches that volunteered their time to coach the ambassadors in writing and presenting their speeches.

Our Volunteer Speech Coaches assist our Ambassadors with getting their ideas onto paper

In San Francisco, Program Manager Katelyn Bollenbacher and Program Supervisor Shelly Helgeson facilitated the training.  In Los Angeles, the entire BBCA office came out to support our Ambassadors during the training.  For the first time, our entire Los Angeles Ambassadors training was comprised of Jobs participants. 

The morning consisted of speech writing and public speaking workshops that included sessions on brainstorming topics, speech structure, and presentation styles. Then in the afternoon, Buddy Ambassadors worked one-on-one with Speech Coaches to develop their own personal speeches.  

At the end of the day, each Ambassador delivered their speeches.  The progress the Ambassadors’ made from the early morning sessions to the actual presentation of their speeches was an incredible sight to behold!  Each of the speeches was unique and subjects ranged from the Hearst Castle Challenge, disability awareness, ending the use of the r-word, the importance of having a job, how joining Best Buddies has changed their life, marriage equality, and leadership in Best Buddies Friendship Chapters.  

  

In Los Angeles, Lisa K. and Dan R. both worked on speeches that they plan to give at Best Buddies Friendship Walks.  Lisa was a top fundraiser last year and her speech this year focuses on how anyone can accomplish anything if they set goals and work hard.  The Best Buddies Southern California Friendship Walk is April 21. Dan R. will be speaking at the Best Buddies New York Friendship Walk, alongside his father.  Dan’s parents, Marilyn and Ronald Rotter, are bi-coastal, living in both Los Angeles and New York, and are very involved with both Best Buddies state offices.  Jobs participant Bradley G. added antidotal humor into his speech, telling the audience about how he had to learn how to cook a turkey which was a gift from his employer, Paradigm Talent Agency, for the holidays.  And Michael G. spoke about the remarkable progress he’s made at Mannat, Phelps & Phillips, where he started working only 12 hours per week and now works full-time and receives benefits.

  

Bradley, Buddy Ambassador, Looks over his speech

In San Francisco, John Hammond, a Buddy Ambassador and officer from the USF chapter of Best Buddies, gave a speech targeted at his fellow adults with disabilities, providing advice on how to make meaningful friendships.  Sharon Jones, an Ambassador from the USF chapter of Best Buddies, focused on her many abilities despite being in a wheelchair. She talked in-depth about the satisfaction she gets from working for the San Francisco Giants and also serving as a mentor to students with disabilities at Mission High School.  Gian Portuguez, a Buddy Ambassador from Lowell High School, spoke about his aspirations for the future which included going to college and singing the national anthem at a Giants baseball game. Danny Guthrie from Foothill High School gave a call to action, inviting everyone to participate in this year’s Best Buddies Bay Area Friendship Walk on April 28. He attended last year and enjoyed himself so much, he wanted to make sure even more people attended this year! 

These are just a few highlights from our truly inspiring Buddy Ambassadors.  If you’d like to have an Ambassador speak at your school, organization, or employer, contact your Best Buddies CA office for more information.

Los Angeles Buddy Ambassadors

Special thanks to Accenture who donated their beautiful office space on the twelfth floor of a downtown San Francisco skyscraper for the training that impressed attendees with views of the San Francisco Bay and the East Bay Bridge. 

Accenture Welcomes Best Buddies CA to the Bay Area Training

I Refuse To Be Labled

Written By David Gauthier

What made me come up with my for the BBCA Spread the Word to End the Word campaign?   I truly love words.  And words can be amazingly powerful weapons.  When used to hurt, words can easily be deadly.  And when used to help or heal, words are equally, if not, more powerful. 

So, in this case we'll focus on the word retarded and all its derivatives.  When used in reference to one’s own foibles, foolishness or error, malice is obviously not intended, but the malice is there none the less.  No matter how the word is used the derogatory meaning is always abundantly clear.

I truly believe the word should not be used by anyone in civilized society because you are quite literally singling out, and labeling a minority, who, by virtue of being who they are, have no viable way to defend themselves.  As the19^th century Danish philosopher, Kierkegaard once said, "If you label me, you negate me."

 And when in this enlightened age is it really in any ones best interest to use this word?  I would never, ever, even consider banning the use of the word.  What I am suggesting is that having the common sense and common decency, I believe we were all born with, to stop using the word.

The reality is that the word has no other use than to label and degrade a group of human beings that already have more hurdles, obstacles, barriers, fear and stigma to overcome than any one who is normal will ever have to endure.

 To tell you the truth, I'd much rather not be labeled at all, and being labeled that is bad, but much worse is it to be labeled ignorant.  Why you ask?  Because being that is not a choice.  Being ignorant is a choice.  It just means that you choose to be far too lazy to change. How do you like that for a label?

To see the campaign click: We R

 

Participant Spotlight:: Jasmine B.

At 23-years-old, Jasmine B. is a young go-getter. She is professional, hard-working and motivated to succeed. She is just like any other young person who yearns to get ahead.

“I’m all business,” Jasmine loves to say.

Jasmine is "all business"

It’s not just talk. Jasmine backs it up as an assistant at Jakks Pacific, a top U.S. toy company with offices in Santa Monica.  There she attends the front desk, files invoices, works the copy machine and takes on special projects.

 “She’s a quick learner,” said Elizabeth Magana, Jakks receptionist and Jasmine’s closest work confidant. “She works hard. I love having her on board. She’s eager, excited and enthusiastic.”

When Jasmine joined the Best Buddies Jobs program, she wanted a job where she could use her filing and computer skills. She impressed the Best Buddies staff with her professionalism and drive. All she needed was a job.

Jakks Pacific gave her that chance when they partnered with Best Buddies in October of 2011. The rest is history.  

 In just over two months, Jasmine has wowed her coworkers with her professionalism and abilities. She is excelling in her role and making an impact on the corporate culture. Her catch-phrase “I’m all business,” has quickly caught on with the rest of the staff. It has become a mantra.

When she came to Best Buddies Jobs, Jasmine was work-ready. All she needed was an opportunity. Thanks to Jakks, Jasmine is showing that she is capable of having a career. Just like any other young go-getter.

“I love working here,” Jasmine said. “I am happy to make money. I have a lot of fun at work. Everyone’s proud of me.”

Jasmine with her first paycheck

Hollywood Player Goes Bowling for Buddies

On November 7, 2011, over one hundred Best Buddies CA Jobs program supporters showed up at Lucky Strike LA Live! ready to raise a little money for the Jobs program and compete for a trophy and bragging rights for the next year.

Sponsored by Hollywood Player, the movie-themed video game site, Bowling for Buddies included the bowling tournament, a poker tournament, the chance to challenge a pool champion, video gaming tournament, and amazing raffle prizes. Not to mention great food and one of LA’s best locations, Lucky Strike LA Live!

Best Buddies CA Jobs invited our employer partners to participate by sponsoring bowling teams from their companies and we are proud to say that eight of them brought teams (FIJI Water brought 3 teams!), with an additional three company teams coming from the community. Additionally, we received donations for gift bags and raffle prizes from many other companies in our community.

The night was full of fun and friendship, but more than that, it was full of our mission.  Plans are underway for the 2012 tournament, bigger, better and closer!  Stay tuned and start training to win back the trophy from Goldline International. 

Bowling for Buddies GSO Team

Best Buddies CA Jobs program thanks the following companies for their support:

Allan Company

Burn 60

Equinox Century City

Fiji Water

Goldline International

GSO Business Management

Hollywood Player

ICM

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart

Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles

OPI

Paradigm

Sprouts Farmers Market