Aspen, CO, March 22, 2023 — Best Buddies International, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce a generous grant from The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation to further our mission of inclusion by launching friendship programs in Aspen, CO.

Best Buddies is built upon four key mission pillars: one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living. With the grant provided by The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation, Best Buddies will focus on furthering our mission of inclusion through launching Friendship programs with a goal of opening 4-6 school chapters and opening an Adult Citizens’ program with monthly activities. These programs will help people with IDD form meaningful one-to-one connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities with peers both with and without IDD.

Currently, Colorado has Best Buddies programs at 15 schools. Each chapter is supported by a Faculty Advisor and/or Special Education Advisor plus a Chapter President, in addition to the Program Manager. The grant provided by The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation will make it possible to serve more individuals with IDD in Aspen.

For more information about Best Buddies in Aspen, please contact Director, Mission Advancement Rachael Fischer at RachaelFischer@bestbuddies.org, or 317-339-4540.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
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 and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 elementary school, middle school, high school, and college Friendship and Promoter chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ nine formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living— engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 56 countries and territories, positively impacting the lives of over 1.3 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 independently, become inspirational leaders and build lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org or connect with us via Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

ABOUT THE DIANE & BRUCE HALLE FOUNDATION:
The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation works to strengthen the daily opportunities and lifelong outcomes for the people and communities they serve by identifying and funding outstanding nonprofits to ensure that all people can build healthy, productive, and inspiring lives. It serves as a leader in providing philanthropic resources for organizations working in the fields of human services, health and medical, education, art and culture, and spirituality. Learn more about The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation by visiting dianeandbrucehallefoundation.org.