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.
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
Florida Chapter Listing
Promoters chapters
Ambassadors programTo join a chapter, click a school name below
- Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL)
API address [ 5050 Ave Maria Blvd, Ave Maria, FL, 34142, US, null, null, 26.3366663, -81.43720979999999, null]
- Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL)
API address [ 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431-6424, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Nova Southeastern University (Davie, FL)
API address [ 3301 College Ave, Davie, FL, 33314-7721, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Academy of the Holy Names (Tampa, FL)
API address [ 3319 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33629-8801, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- American Heritage School (Plantation, FL)
API address [ 12200 W Broward Blvd, Plantation, FL, 33325-2404, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- American Heritage School Palm Beach Campus (Delray Beach, FL)
API address [ 6200 Linton Blvd, Delray Beach, FL, 33484, US, null, null, 26.437383017706395, -80.14107502072169, null]
- Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School (Southwest Ranches, FL)
API address [ 5451 S Flamingo Rd, Southwest Ranches, FL, 33330-2727, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Belen Jesuit Preparatory (Miami, FL)
API address [ 500 SW 127th Ave, Miami, FL, 33184-1319, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Calvary Christian High School (Clearwater, FL)
API address [ 110 McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater, FL, 33759, US, null, null, 27.9668593, -82.71014319999999, null]
- Cardinal Newman High School (West Palm Beach, FL)
API address [ 512 Spencer Dr, West Palm Beach, FL, 33409, US, null, null, 26.7105670118288, -80.09359799329825, null]
- Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (Miami, FL)
API address [ 3747 Main Hwy, Miami, FL, 33133-5907, US, null, null, 25.7211517, -80.24783599999999, null]
- Central Florida Homeschool (Central Florida, FL)
API address [ null, Central Florida, FL, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]
- Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School (Hollywood, FL)
API address [ 500 E Chaminade Dr, Hollywood, FL, 33021-5853, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Coastal Middle School (Lake Park, FL)
API address [ 730 5th St, Lake Park, FL, 33403, US, null, null, 26.7992295, -80.0626867, null]
- Duncan U. Fletcher High School (Neptune Beach, FL)
API address [ 700 Seagate Ave, Neptune Beach, FL, 32266-3505, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Gulliver Preparatory School (Pinecrest, FL)
API address [ 6575 N Kendall Dr, Pinecrest, FL, 33156-1872, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Jupiter Christian School- West Campus (Jupiter, FL)
API address [ 700 S Delaware Blvd, Jupiter, FL, 33458, US, null, null, 26.9275892, -80.1186489, null]
- MAST Academy (Key Biscayne, FL)
API address [ 3979 Rickenbacker Cswy, Key Biscayne, FL, 33149-1022, US, null, null, 25.7390149, -80.166327, null]
- Mandarin High School (Jacksonville, FL)
API address [ 4831 Greenland Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32258-1517, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Miami Country Day School - High School (Miami Shores, FL)
API address [ 601 NE 107th St, Miami Shores, FL, 33161-7165, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- North Broward Preparatory School (Coconut Creek, FL)
API address [ 7600 Lyons Rd, Coconut Creek, FL, 33073-3503, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Nova High School (Davie, FL)
API address [ 3600 College Ave, Davie, FL, 33314-7723, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Oxbridge Academy (West Palm Beach, FL)
API address [ 3151 N Military Trl, West Palm Beach, FL, 33409, US, null, null, 26.7240765, -80.11197469999999, null]
- PK Yonge High School (Gainesville, FL)
API address [ 1200 SW 6th St, Gainesville, FL, 32601, US, null, null, 29.6395776, -82.3309958, null]
- Palm Harbor University High School (Palm Harbor, FL)
API address [ 1900 Omaha St, Palm Harbor, FL, 34683-3546, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Palmer Trinity High School (Palmetto Bay, FL)
API address [ 7900 SW 176th St, Palmetto Bay, FL, 33157-6242, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Pembroke Pines Charter High School (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
API address [ 17189 Sheridan St, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33331-1934, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Posnack Jewish Day School (Davie, FL)
API address [ 5890 S Pine Island Rd, Davie, FL, 33328-5937, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Saint Andrew's School (Boca Raton, FL)
API address [ 3900 Jog Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33434-4455, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Saint John Paul II Academy (Boca Raton, FL)
API address [ 4001 N Military Trl, Boca Raton, FL, 33431-4301, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
API address [ 2801 SW 12th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312-2953, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- School for Advanced Studies- Wolfson (Miami, FL)
API address [ 25 NE 2nd St, Miami, FL, 33132, US, null, null, 25.776339, -80.193213, null]
- Shorecrest Preparatory School (St. Petersburg, FL)
API address [ 5101 1st St NE, St. Petersburg, FL, 33703-3009, US, null, null, 27.8193378, -82.63391039999999, null]
- Stanton College Preparatory School (Jacksonville, FL)
API address [ 1149 W 13th St, Jacksonville, FL, 32209-5610, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Suncoast Community High School (Riviera Beach, FL)
API address [ 1717 Avenue S, Riviera Beach, FL, 33404-5225, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Tampa Preparatory School (Tampa, FL)
API address [ 727 W Cass St, Tampa, FL, 33606-1105, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- True North Classical Academy (Miami, FL)
API address [ 7500 SW 120th St, Miami, FL, 33186, US, null, null, 25.6566511, -80.4031692, null]
- University School at Nova Southeastern (Davie, FL)
API address [ University School Lower Division Building, Davie, FL, 33314-1400, US, null, null, 26.0789078, -80.24737859999999, null]
- Windermere High School (Windermere, FL)
API address [ 5523 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Windermere, FL, 34786-6097, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Wolfson High School (Jacksonville, FL)
API address [ 7000 Powers Ave, Jacksonville, FL, 32217-3318, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bonita Springs Middle School Center for the Arts (Bonita Springs, FL)
API address [ 10141 W Terry St, Bonita Springs, FL, 34135-4734, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Brookside Middle School (Sarasota, FL)
API address [ 3636 S Shade Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34239-6239, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Corkscrew Middle School (Naples, FL)
API address [ 1165 County Rd 858, Naples, FL, 34120-4482, US, null, null, 26.2927859, -81.58647669999999, null]
- Crestwood Middle School (Royal Palm Beach, FL)
API address [ 64 Sparrow Dr, Royal Palm Beach, FL, 33411-1698, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Cypress Lake Middle School (Fort Myers, FL)
API address [ 8901 Cypress Lake Dr, Fort Myers, FL, 33919-5045, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Eagles Landing Middle School (Boca Raton, FL)
API address [ 19500 Coral Ridge Dr, Boca Raton, FL, 33498-6521, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Gateway Charter Intermediate School (Fort Myers, FL)
API address [ 12850 Commonwealth Dr, Fort Myers, FL, 33913-8039, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Manatee Middle School (Naples, FL)
API address [ 1920 Manatee Rd, Naples, FL, 34114-8340, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Mariner Middle School (Cape Coral, FL)
API address [ 425 Chiquita Blvd N, Cape Coral, FL, 33993, US, null, null, 26.6614252, -82.0048412, null]
- Miami Country Day School - Middle School (Miami Shores, FL)
API address [ 601 NE 107th St, Miami Shores, FL, 33161-7165, US, null, null, 25.873881, -80.1844224, null]
- North Naples Middle School (Naples, FL)
API address [ 16165 Learning Ln, Naples, FL, 34110-3270, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Oakridge Middle School (Naples, FL)
API address [ 14975 Collier Blvd, Naples, FL, 34119, US, null, null, 26.26498000988, -81.693199976205, null]
- Posnack Middle School (Davie, FL)
API address [ 5810 S Pine Island Rd, Davie, FL, 33328-5933, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center (Bay Harbor Islands, FL)
API address [ 1155 93rd St, Bay Harbor Islands, FL, 33154-3907, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Three Oaks Middle School (Fort Myers, FL)
API address [ 18500 Three Oaks Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL, 33967-5413, US, null, null, 26.4722721, -81.7962587, null]
- Varsity Lakes Middle School (Lehigh Acres, FL)
API address [ 801 Gunnery Rd N, Lehigh Acres, FL, 33971-4906, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Wellington Landings Middle School (Wellington, FL)
API address [ 1100 Aero Club Dr, Wellington, FL, 33414, US, null, null, 26.665506, -80.28656199999999, null]
- Atlantic West Elementary School (Margate, FL)
API address [ 301 NW 69th Terrace, Margate, FL, 33063-4916, US, null, null, 26.2337935, -80.21983350000001, null]
- Babcock Neighborhood School (Punta Gorda, FL)
API address [ 43301 Cypress Pkwy, Punta Gorda, FL, 33982-5073, US, null, null, 26.7832766, -81.74630959999999, null]
- Ballast Point Elementary School (Tampa, FL)
API address [ 2802 W Ballast Point Blvd, Tampa, FL, 33611, US, null, null, 27.8885452, -82.48826249999999, null]
- Boggy Creek Elementary (Kissimmee, FL)
API address [ 810 Florida Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL, 34743, US, null, null, 28.3282929, -81.3623698, null]
- Caloosa Elementary School (Cape Coral, FL)
API address [ 620 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL, 33990, US, null, null, 26.6414732, -81.94108489999999, null]
- Davenport Elementary School (Davenport, FL)
API address [ 8 Palmetto St W, Davenport, FL, 33837, US, null, null, 28.1570323, -81.60012309999999, null]
- Diplomat Elementary School (Cape Coral, FL)
API address [ 1115 NE 16th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL, 33909, US, null, null, 26.6852427, -81.9491735, null]
- Dolphin Bay Elementary School (Miramar, FL)
API address [ 16450 Miramar Pkwy, Miramar, FL, 33027, US, null, null, 25.9772454, -80.36546260000001, null]
- Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School (Riviera Beach, FL)
API address [ 1501 Avenue U, Riviera Beach, FL, 33404, US, null, null, 26.7765173, -80.08311929999999, null]
- East Lake Elementary School (Kissimmee, FL)
API address [ 4001 Boggy Creek Rd, Kissimmee, FL, 34744, US, null, null, 28.3344714, -81.2816486, null]
- Embassy Creek Elementary School (Hollywood, FL)
API address [ 10905 SE Lake Blvd, Hollywood, FL, 33026, US, null, null, 26.0330104, -80.2925379, null]
- Everglades Elementary School (West Palm Beach, FL)
API address [ 407 Marginal Rd, West Palm Beach, FL, 33411-4651, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Fienberg Fisher K-8 Center -Elementary (Miami Beach, FL)
API address [ 1420 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL, 33139-4110, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Gulf Elementary School (Cape Coral, FL)
API address [ 3400 SW 17th Pl, Cape Coral, FL, 33914-4919, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Hancock Creek Elementary School (North Fort Myers, FL)
API address [ 1601 Skyline Dr, North Fort Myers, FL, 33903-4716, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Hector A. Cafferata Junior Elementary School (Cape Coral, FL)
API address [ 250 Santa Barbara Blvd N, Cape Coral, FL, 33993, US, null, null, 26.6566616, -81.9752554, null]
- Hollywood Park Elementary School (Hollywood, FL)
API address [ 901 N 69th Way, Hollywood, FL, 33024-5651, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- James Stephens International Academy (Fort Myers, FL)
API address [ 1333 Marsh Ave, Fort Myers, FL, 33905-4518, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lehigh Elementary School (Lehigh Acres, FL)
API address [ 200 Schoolside Dr, Lehigh Acres, FL, 33936, US, null, null, 26.609212996721837, -81.62704798468717, null]
- Manatee Bay Elementary School (Weston, FL)
API address [ 19200 Manatee Isles Dr, Weston, FL, 33332-2151, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Manatee Elementary School (Fort Myers, FL)
API address [ 5301 Tice St, Fort Myers, FL, 33905-6527, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Otis A. Mason Elementary School (St. Augustine, FL)
API address [ 207 Mason Manatee Way, St. Augustine, FL, 32086, US, null, null, 29.8290519, -81.3738326, null]
- Pembroke Lakes Elementary (Pembroke Pines, FL)
API address [ 11251 Taft St, Pembroke Pines, FL, 33026-2131, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Rayma C. Page Elementary School (Fort Myers, FL)
API address [ 17000 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL, 33908-4557, US, null, null, 26.4914078, -81.8482202, null]
- Seaside Charter School (Jacksonville, FL)
API address [ 1429 Broward Rd, Jacksonville, FL, 32218, US, null, null, 30.417858, -81.664408, null]
- Skyline Elementary School (Cape Coral, FL)
API address [ 620 SW 19th St, Cape Coral, FL, 33991-3730, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Stirling Elementary School (Hollywood, FL)
API address [ 5500 Stirling Rd, Hollywood, FL, 33021-1603, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- The Sanibel School (Sanibel, FL)
API address [ 3840 Sanibel Captiva Rd, Sanibel, FL, 33957-3012, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Timber Trace Elementary School (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
API address [ 5200 117th Court North, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, 33418, US, null, null, 26.8492224, -80.1184161, null]
- Tortuga Preserve Elementary School (Lehigh Acres, FL)
API address [ 1711 Gunnery Rd N, Lehigh Acres, FL, 33971-5853, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Valley Ridge Academy (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL)
API address [ 105 Greenleaf Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, 32081, US, null, null, 30.099488, -81.45475259999999, null]
- Veteran's Park Academy of the Arts (Lehigh Acres, FL)
API address [ 49 Homestead Rd S, Lehigh Acres, FL, 33936-7419, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Westwood Heights Elementary School (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
API address [ 2861 SW 9th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33312-2959, US, null, null, null, null, null]
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