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July 2022

Did you know that July is Disability Pride Month? Best Buddies strives to celebrate our participants for all their special abilities and everything that makes them uniquely themselves.

We want to inspire self-confidence through each of our programs, whether by helping an individual land their first job, giving ambassadors a large platform to share their stories or connecting participants with a friend that makes them feel like their best selves. Check out the video below to see what disability pride means to our ambassador, Michelle.

Champion of the Year

Champion of the Year is on the horizon! Champion of the Year is the Best Buddies signature event where community leaders are nominated to participate in a 10-week-long friendly competition to build awareness and raise funds for Best Buddies. During their 10-week campaign, champion candidates use their passion, talent, and network to help spread our mission, earn donations, and secure auction items. The funds they raise will support their local Best Buddies Friendship, Jobs, and Leadership programs. At the end of their campaign, their success will be celebrated at the Champion of the Year Gala, where the grand champion will be crowned!

Best Buddies California will host Champion of the Year events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. The campaigns are set to kick off this August!

Do you know someone who is a champion of inclusion? Nominate them today!

Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Chris Gerhart

Friendship & Leadership Program in Los Angeles

How long and in what capacity have you been involved with Best Buddies?

"I got involved with Best Buddies through an internship with the Disability Studies minor at UCLA this past fall. I've had the most wonderful experiences connecting with fellow advocates, volunteers, ambassadors, and BB staff. It's been an honor to be part of this amazing community."

Why do you choose to be a part of this organization?

"As a disabled person, I feel a strong connection to the disabled community and a stronger desire to advocate for disability rights. I align with the BB mission and believe this organization is doing amazing work to raise awareness of and support for disabilities."

What has been your proudest Best Buddies moment?

"Every time I assist as a speech coach, I have the opportunity to help my new friends tell their stories and hear them give their speeches; I feel so fortunate and proud."

What does disability pride mean to you?

"Disability pride is celebrating and supporting the needs and achievements of all diverse people and advocating for the disability community."

Ambassador of the Month

Meet Liz Bogen

Liz was nominated to be the Best Buddies CA July 2022 Ambassador of the Month for her enthusiastic energy and creative talents. She is an incredible artist and does a lot of beautiful mosaic work!

"Best Buddies helps me to learn more about making friends and being a part of something bigger than myself. One of my favorite parts of Best Buddies is when Anthony Kennedy Shriver asked me to do my public speaking, and I got to travel to Washington D.C. for my speech."

Get Involved with Best Buddies

Do you want to learn more about Best Buddies and how to get involved? Join our August orientation! In just 30 minutes, you will learn about our mission, programs, and local volunteer opportunities. Plus, you'll get to meet other awesome individuals interested in making an impact!

August Volunteer Orientation

August 24th from 5:00pm-5:30pm

Email us to get signed up | Richard Nakai: RichardNakai@bestbuddies.org

July Events Calendar