Newark, NJ, Feb. 21, 2024 — Christopher Ruzycki has found his home at Home Depot.

Ruzycki, a participant of Best Buddies in New Jersey, the state branch of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), has held meaningful employment at his local Home Depot thanks to Best Buddies Jobs.

At Home Depot, Ruzycki, who has an IDD, helps organize shopping carts, greets customers as they enter and offers friendly assistance as they exit with their purchases. Ruzycki works part-time and has access to an employee discount program which provides him with opportunities for discounts on anything from flowers to travel and more. He also receives paid sick time and vacation time benefits.

The best part of Ruzycki’s job, he says, is striking up conversations with customers and being the first and last friendly face they see when they visit the store.

“I love working,” Ruzycki said. “And I love talking with customers.”

Ruzycki’s job has helped him gain both a sense of purpose and heightened independence. Ruzycki’s wages empower him to spend time with friends and family, and most importantly, attend Jersey Devils hockey games and other sporting events in his area.

“It’s always a pleasure to visit Christopher at work,” Rick Shingler, Ruzycki’s employment consultant, said. “His outgoing personality and engagement with customers make this Home Depot location stand out as an entirely unique experience for everyone in the area.”

About Best Buddies
Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ 12 formal programs — Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters, Transitions, Inclusive Living and Eunie’s Buddies— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 45 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly one million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Media Inquiries
Best Buddies International
Nicole Maddox
Vice President, Communications
NicoleMaddox@Bestbuddies.org