“My story is an intricately detailed one with one common purpose…to make this world more inclusive and filled with love, kindness, friendship, and acceptance!” -Donna Ferrucci, Kent Heights Best Buddies Advisor.

At Kent Heights, an Elementary School in East Providence, Rhode Island, staff and students work to ensure that everyone is included and engaged in their education system. One way they do this is through the successful operation of their Best Buddies chapter.

Best Buddies traces back to 1989 when it was founded by Anthony K. Shriver, a passionate advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Shriver believed in the power of friendship and sought to address the social isolation experienced by people with IDD. To help end social isolation, Shriver established Best Buddies with the mission of creating equal opportunities for people with IDD.

The organization started modestly with a single chapter at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., but quickly gained traction as students recognized the need for friendship and inclusion for individuals with IDD. The success of the Georgetown chapter led to the establishment of more chapters in colleges and universities across the United States.

As Best Buddies gained momentum, programs expanded beyond the college level and were introduced in high schools. Recognizing the importance of starting early in fostering inclusion, Best Buddies expanded further into middle schools and more recently into elementary schools. This expansion allowed for the development of meaningful friendships and understanding at a young age.

During its expansion, in 2019 Best Buddies found itself at Kent Heights Elementary School. Four years later, the chapter is thriving, under the direction of Donna Ferrucci, Dean of Students, and dedicated Best Buddies Advisor.

Donna Ferrucci has been an educator in East Providence for 34 years. Starting her career as a special education teacher working in the Extended Year program each summer, she had the privilege of interacting with students of all ages and special abilities. This privilege quickly turned into her passion. Supported by her loving wife and two sons, her passion for making a positive impact on her students and teaching inclusivity, kindness, acceptance, and friendship became part of her everyday routine.

During her day-to-day, she found her path crossing with Best Buddies on various random occasions. As these encounters continued to occur, she began to wonder what Best Buddies was all about. Shortly after this thought, she decided to look into what Best Buddies did and realized the power behind the mission. Inspired and driven by her passion for inclusion, she instantly connected with someone from the organization and inquired about facilitating a chapter at Kent Heights Elementary School. The rest is history…

Over the past four years, Donna has made remarkable strides in making sure that the Kent Heights chapter does all it can do to foster empathy and friendships in the students that the program touches. In addition to creating opportunities for her students, Best Buddies has also allowed Donna to pursue her passion for inclusion and feel connected. Connected to her students, the community, and those around her of ALL abilities. Through Best Buddies, she is able to contribute to making the world a more inclusive place…one step, one connection, one person, one kind act at a time.

When asked where her passion for Best Buddies and inclusion stemmed from, Donna replied that she “often wonders Why? Why is the world filled with hatred, unkindness, separation, and exclusion? Why can’t we accept all and make this world a better place? Why can’t ALL be given the same opportunities for success?” All of these “whys” were the driving force that pushed her to get involved in Best Buddies and live out her passion.

Donna hopes that one day, “Best Buddies” becomes common words…spoken and heard by all. She hopes that the Best Buddies mission will change the world, and more people, regardless of their differences, are included and given the opportunities to meet success.

If, like Donna, you are interested in making a difference and contributing to a more inclusive world, browse our website to explore opportunities and begin your Best Buddies journey.