In November of 2023, doors opened for Best Buddies in Ohio to welcome two new Senior Program Manager positions to our team with the goal of expanding our friendship chapters and increasing our impact across Ohio. As the search to fill these roles began, we were in luck! Two bright young women who were already involved in our mission, were ready to take their involvement to the next level. While their journeys are uniquely theirs, each of their stories exemplifies the power of inclusive friendship to shape our lives.

For Margaret, it started with family, “Best Buddies came into my life shortly after my Uncle Chris [who had a disability] passed away, and I knew I wanted to get involved in something to honor him and give back to folks like him. Someone like my uncle and people who lived in his group home could have benefitted from a program like Best Buddies.” Notably, Margaret’s Sister, Maeve, had also become a Buddy and encouraged her to get involved.

Shannon’s journey with Best Buddies began in high school. “I was the Chapter President of our program,” she recalls. “I truly feel like I got so much out of Best Buddies during this time because of the quality friendships I made.” Shannon went on to start her career as Paraprofessional at Hastings Middle School and became a Co – Advisor for the Best Buddies Friendship Program there.

Shannon’s experiences as a teen and young adult enhance her perspective of her work. She shares, “Some of my favorite memories of being a participant in Best Buddies are bowling and going to prom with my best friend, Daniel. These are memories I will never forget. I am also thankful to see my students at Hastings make quality memories they will never forget!”

Margaret, who is currently matched in the Best Buddies Citizens adult friendship program in Cuyahoga County reflects, “It has almost been 1 year since meeting my buddy Ashly, and we have had some fun times going to hockey games, concerts, trying new restaurants, and we are currently planning a day to go skiing together.”

Shannon and Margaret’s paths converged as volunteers for Best Buddies, where they found not just a cause, but a calling. Fast forward to today, Margaret and Shannon are now full-time employees, deeply immersed in the mission they hold dear. Margaret works with our Northeast Ohio schools while Shannon covers Central and Southwest Ohio.

As Senior Program Managers at Best Buddies in Ohio, Margaret and Shannon are passionate about creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels accepted and cherished. “I look forward to continuing to create inclusive spaces for everyone to be who they are and loved for that,” Shannon shares, “I love my job because I get to see firsthand how our programs work and create friendships for life.”

In Shannon and Margaret’s journeys, we find a testament to the transformative power of friendship and the profound impact it can have on individuals and communities alike. Through their volunteerism and heart for inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, they embody the spirit of Best Buddies, enriching lives and spreading joy one friendship at a time.

Are you interested in getting involved with Best Buddies? Visit: bestbuddies.org/join, or contact Ohio@bestbuddies.org for more information!