Best Buddies Leadership Development programs represents one of our organization’s five key mission pillars. The programs educate and empower people with and without IDD to become leaders, public speakers and advocates. Best Buddies passionately believes that its program participants can lead the effort within their community and beyond to build a more inclusive world for people with IDD.
California Chapter Listing
Promoters chapters
Ambassadors programTo join a chapter, click a school name below
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA)
API address [ 1 Grand Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407-9001, US, null, null, 35.3020226, -120.6593677, null]
- Pepperdine University (Malibu, CA)
API address [ 24255 Pacific Coast Highway Charles B. Thornton Administrative Center, Malibu, CA, 90263, US, null, null, 34.0391266, -118.7056463, null]
- UCSF (San Francisco, CA)
API address [ 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, US, null, null, 37.7634772, -122.4573479, null]
- Woodland Community College (Woodland, CA)
API address [ 2300 East Gibson Road, Woodland, CA, 95776, US, null, null, 38.660379, -121.7353697, null]
- Academy of our Lady of Peace (San Diego, CA)
API address [ 4860 Oregon St, San Diego, CA, 92116, US, null, null, 32.7649853, -117.1357587, null]
- Aragon High School (San Mateo, CA)
API address [ 900 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA, 94402, US, null, null, 37.54992050000001, -122.3303828, null]
- Archer School for Girls (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ 11725 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90049-2918, US, null, null, 34.06522270000001, -118.4715694, null]
- Brentwood School (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ 100 S Barrington Pl, Los Angeles, CA, 90049-3306, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Campbell Hall (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ 4533 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 91607, US, null, null, 34.1523316, -118.3968409, null]
- Canyon High School (Anaheim, CA)
API address [ 220 S Imperial Hwy, Anaheim, CA, 92807, US, null, null, 33.8472653, -117.7895134, null]
- Capistrano Valley High School (San Juan Capistrano, CA)
API address [ 26301 Via Escolar, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92692, US, null, null, 33.5417264, -117.6697959, null]
- Center High School (Antelope, CA)
API address [ CHS Main Offices, Antelope, CA, 95843-9111, US, null, null, 38.7193532, -121.3893156, null]
- Crescenta Valley High School (La Crescenta-Montrose, CA)
API address [ 2900 Community Ave, La Crescenta-Montrose, CA, 91214-3471, US, null, null, 34.2238176, -118.2432057, null]
- Geffen Academy at UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ Kinross Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90024-2000, US, null, null, 34.0593389, -118.4468107, null]
- Glen A. Wilson High School (La Puente, CA)
API address [ 16455 Wedgeworth Dr, La Puente, CA, 91745-3045, US, null, null, 33.9976707, -117.937034, null]
- Granite Hills High School (Apple Valley, CA)
API address [ 22900 Esaws Ave, Apple Valley, CA, 92307-4305, US, null, null, 34.5090161, -117.1664555, null]
- Harvard-Westlake School (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ 3700 Coldwater Canyon Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 91604-2301, US, null, null, 34.1396191, -118.4127859, null]
- JSerra Catholic High School (San Juan Capistrano, CA)
API address [ 26351 Junipero Serra Rd, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92675, US, null, null, 33.5162399, -117.669586, null]
- La Canada High School (La Cañada Flintridge, CA)
API address [ Hotchkin Family Gymnasium, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, 91011-3738, US, null, null, 34.19200980000001, -118.1789146, null]
- Larchmont Charter School - Lafayette (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ 2801 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA, 90057-3113, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Long Beach Polytechnic High School (Long Beach, CA)
API address [ 1600 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA, 90813-2017, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Malibu High School (Malibu, CA)
API address [ 30215 Morning View Dr, Malibu, CA, 90265-3616, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Marlborough School (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ 250 S Rossmore Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90004, US, null, null, 34.0698883, -118.3267909, null]
- Mira Loma High School (Sacramento, CA)
API address [ 4000 Edison Ave, Sacramento, CA, 95821, US, null, null, 38.633192492943806, -121.37109741632412, null]
- Natomas High School (Sacramento, CA)
API address [ 3301 Fong Ranch Rd, Sacramento, CA, 95834, US, null, null, 38.6297436, -121.4958694, null]
- Norte Vista High School (Riverside, CA)
API address [ 6585 Crest Ave, Riverside, CA, 92503-1102, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Orange County School of the Arts (Santa Ana, CA)
API address [ 1010 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA, 92701, US, null, null, 33.7539252, -117.8680001, null]
- Rancho Cucamonga High School (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)
API address [ 11801 Lark Dr, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 91701, US, null, null, 34.1322732, -117.5487821, null]
- Saint Francis High School (Mountain View, CA)
API address [ 1885 Miramonte Avenue, Mountain View, CA, 94040, US, null, null, 37.3695369, -122.0863187, null]
- Salesian College Preparatory School (Richmond, CA)
API address [ 2851 Salesian Avenue, Richmond, CA, 94804, US, null, null, 37.9523326, -122.3409533, null]
- San Luis Obispo High School (San Luis Obispo, CA)
API address [ 1499 San Luis Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3060, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Sanger West High School (Fresno, CA)
API address [ 1850 S Fowler Ave, Fresno, CA, 93727, US, null, null, 36.7092613, -119.6813648, null]
- The Buckley School (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ 3900 Stansbury Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 91423-4618, US, null, null, 34.139541, -118.4435984, null]
- Twelve Bridges High School (Lincoln, CA)
API address [ 2360 Fieldstone Drive d, Lincoln, CA, 95648, US, null, null, 38.8486785, -121.2914199, null]
- Venice High School (Los Angeles, CA)
API address [ 13000 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90066-3512, US, null, null, 33.9966972, -118.4453453, null]
- Villa Park High School (Villa Park, CA)
API address [ 18042 Taft Ave, Villa Park, CA, 92861-4148, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- West Park High School (Roseville, CA)
API address [ 2401 Panther Pl, Roseville, CA, 95747, US, null, null, 38.7854345, -121.3718915, null]
- Borel Middle School (San Mateo, CA)
API address [ 425 Barneson Ave, San Mateo, CA, 94402, US, null, null, 37.5499646, -122.3215136, null]
- Bowditch Middle School (Foster City, CA)
API address [ 1450 Tarpon St, Foster City, CA, 94404, US, null, null, 37.5598409, -122.2489087, null]
- Dartmouth Middle School (San Jose, CA)
API address [ 5575 Dartmouth Drive, San Jose, CA, 95118, US, null, null, 37.2392077, -121.9003308, null]
- Glacier Point Middle School (Fresno, CA)
API address [ 4055 N Bryan Ave, Fresno, CA, 93723-9426, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- John Barrett Middle School (Carmichael, CA)
API address [ 4243 Barrett Rd, Carmichael, CA, 95608, US, null, null, 38.6427726, -121.3134587, null]
- Louis Pasteur Middle School (Orangevale, CA)
API address [ 8935 Elm Ave, Orangevale, CA, 95662, US, null, null, 38.6950002, -121.2216885, null]
- March Middle School (Moreno Valley, CA)
API address [ 15800 Indian Street, Moreno Valley, CA, 92551, US, null, null, 33.89141499999999, -117.2337847, null]
- Oxford Preparatory Academy (Lake Forest, CA)
API address [ 22882 Loumont Dr, Lake Forest, CA, 92630, US, null, null, 33.6291288, -117.7007733, null]
- Rio Vista Middle School (Fresno, CA)
API address [ 6240 W Palo Alto Ave, Fresno, CA, 93722-2001, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Sanger Academy Charter (Sanger, CA)
API address [ 2207 9th St, Sanger, CA, 93657-2711, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Synapse Middle School (West Menlo Park, CA)
API address [ 3375 Edison Way, West Menlo Park, CA, 94025, US, null, null, 37.4767347, -122.1998353, null]
- Washington Academic Middle School (Sanger, CA)
API address [ 1705 10th St, Sanger, CA, 93657-3005, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Will Rogers Middle School (Fair Oaks, CA)
API address [ Will Rogers Middle School, Fair Oaks, CA, 95628, US, null, null, 38.6533179, -121.3072622, null]
- Barbara Benson Elementary (Tustin, CA)
API address [ 12712 Elizabeth Way, Tustin, CA, 92780-2811, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bridges Academy Elementary School (Oakland, CA)
API address [ 1325 53rd Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94601, US, null, null, 37.7673233, -122.2077713, null]
- Burbank Elementary School (San Diego, CA)
API address [ 2146 Julian Avenue, San Diego, CA, 92113, US, null, null, 32.7003667, -117.1381944, null]
- Cameron Ranch Elementary School (Carmichael, CA)
API address [ 4333 Hackberry Ln, Carmichael, CA, 95608, US, null, null, 38.6438919, -121.3335701, null]
- Foster City Elementary School (Foster City, CA)
API address [ 461 Beach Park Blvd, Foster City, CA, 94404-2713, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Garden Road Elementary School (Poway, CA)
API address [ 14614 Garden Road, Poway, CA, 92064, US, null, null, 32.9565782, -117.0120296, null]
- Jefferson Elementary School (San Francisco, CA)
API address [ 1725 Irving Street, San Francisco, CA, 94122, US, null, null, 37.76333169999999, -122.4768828, null]
- Killybrooke Elementary School (Costa Mesa, CA)
API address [ 3155 Killybrooke Ln, Costa Mesa, CA, 92626, US, null, null, 33.68536699269217, -117.91523597106115, null]
- Lemon Crest Elementary School (Lakeside, CA)
API address [ 12463 Lemon Crest Dr, Lakeside, CA, 92040, US, null, null, 32.8515895, -116.9207202, null]
- Palisades Elementary School (Dana Point, CA)
API address [ 26462 Via Sacramento, Dana Point, CA, 92624, US, null, null, 33.4617134, -117.6672499, null]
- Prisk Elementary (Long Beach, CA)
API address [ 2375 Fanwood Ave, Long Beach, CA, 90815-2114, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Redwood Shores Elementary (Redwood City, CA)
API address [ 225 Shearwater Pkwy, Redwood City, CA, 94065, US, null, null, 37.5435501, -122.2458474, null]
- Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (Anaheim, CA)
API address [ 504 E South St, Anaheim, CA, 92805-5338, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Trabuco Mesa Elementary (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)
API address [ 21301 Avenida de las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688-5444, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Is your school not listed? Click here for info on how to start a chapter.
BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors
Offers people with and without IDD the opportunity to gain the public speaking skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to successfully advocate for themselves, their peers and Best Buddies in communities, workplaces and government.
BESTBUDDIES® Promoters
Empowers youth to become advocates for people with IDD and help open new Best Buddies chapters and programs by organizing special events that promote awareness to the disability rights movement.
BESTBUDDIES® Transitions
Offers a combination of classroom-based training, experiential learning, and corporate mentorship to help students with IDD explore post-secondary options, prepare for independent living, and identify career ambitions. Workshops and activities offer experiences that aid youth with IDD in their transition into adulthood.
How the Ambassadors Program Works
Advocacy Training
When a Best Buddies participant joins the Ambassador program, they enter into a series of group and private training in speech writing and public and conversational speaking to become advocates for themselves and the disability rights movement.Public Speaking
Once trained, Ambassadors work with Best Buddies staff to identify public speaking opportunities in their local community, where they can share their personal stories with Best Buddies chapters, businesses, legislators, interest groups and donors.Speech Coaches
Each Ambassador is paired with a speech coach, who helps them brainstorm, organize, write, edit and practice a speech and provides one-on-one attention as needed.Ongoing Development
Throughout their participation in the program, Ambassadors have access to a variety of ongoing advocacy trainings led by Best Buddies staff.Advancement
As Ambassadors gain advocacy experience in conversational and public speaking, they have the opportunity to grow into a State or Global Ambassador where they may be invited to speak nationally or internationally on behalf of Best Buddies.How the Promoters Program Works
Connect
Students attending a school without a special education program can join a Promoters chapter to develop connections with people with IDD, or can start one by contacting their local Best Buddies state office.Ongoing Support
Each Promoters chapter is led by a President from the student body and a Faculty Advisor, and is assigned a Best Buddies staff person who offers regular support and guidance.Advocate
Once formed, Promoters chapters host events, activities, fundraisers and assemblies where they advocate for people with IDD, educate the public about inclusion and promote the ideals of the Best Buddies mission.Events
Throughout the school year, Best Buddies encourages all Promoters chapters to host as many activities as possible (minimum of 4) on and off campus that are inclusive of people with IDD.How the Transitions Program Works
Eligibility
Individuals with disabilities beginning at age 14; an annual Best Buddies Consent Form, proof of disability and/or registration documentation may be required by local vocational rehabilitation agencies, where appropriate.Educator Collaboration
Best Buddies Transitions offers students an opportunity to practice and apply career readiness and independent living skills in enriching, community-based learning experiences with support from Best Buddies staff and supporting corporate partners.Implementation
Participants will meet with Best Buddies staff on a regularly scheduled basis to engage in one-to-one programming, small-group sessions, or classroom-style lessons on topics covered by the five Pre-ETS Components, as outlined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014:- Self-Advocacy/ Mentoring
- Job Exploration Counseling
- Workplace Readiness
- Work-Based Learning Opportunities
- Post-Secondary Counseling
