Southwestern College has a new buddy.
For 20 years the Best Buddies program has partnered people with cognitive disabilities with peers who do not have disabilities. In 20 years it has grown to more than 400,000 members from 1,400 chapters in 22 states, and 43 countries.
"If Best Buddies successfully integrates people with intellectual disabilities into society's mainstream, there will not be a reason for us to exist," said Genette Eaton, State Director of Best Buddies California, "we will not be needed, that is our goal."
Best Buddies SWC was created with the same vision as the national and international chapters. Club meetings are held every Monday from 11:30 a.m.-noon in room 436. The club has quickly grown 75 members.
"The concept of the club was to have people with intellectual disabilities to get to know their partners, " said club president Adrian Aguilera, 25, dance major.
Best Buddies SWC has put on three events, a Halloween Costume Party, a pizza sale and a movie night. Future plans include a candy gram, a Christmas party and a cupcake sale.
Best Buddies was started in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver. It was America's first social and recreational program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A person with intellectual disabilities has an IQ below 70-75, has significant limitations in two or more adaptive skills areas, and a condition that dates back to childhood.
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