Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs

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.

Join a Program or Volunteer

Illinois Chapter Listing

To join a chapter, click a school name below

Amos Alonzo Stagg High School (Palos Hills, IL)
API address [ 8015 W 111th St, Palos Hills, IL, 60465, US, null, null, 41.6878991, -87.8185898, null]
Fenwick High School (Oak Park, IL)
API address [ 505 Washington Blvd, Oak Park, IL, 60302-4005, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Manteno High School (Manteno, IL)
API address [ 443 N Maple St, Manteno, IL, 60950-1003, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Momence High School (Momence, IL)
API address [ 101 N Franklin St, Momence, IL, 60954-1453, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Olympia High School (Stanford, IL)
API address [ 7832 N 100 East Rd, Stanford, IL, 61774, US, null, null, 40.3966521, -89.2476102, null]
The Latin School of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 59 W North Blvd, Chicago, IL, 60610-1403, US, null, null, null, null, null]
William Howard Taft High School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 6530 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL, 60631-3185, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Willowbrook High School (Villa Park, IL)
API address [ 1250 Ardmore Ave, Villa Park, IL, 60181-3205, US, null, null, 41.864607, -87.98232279999999, null]
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (Lake Forest, IL)
API address [ 760 E Westleigh Rd, Lake Forest, IL, 60045, US, null, null, 42.235399, -87.829451, null]

Beverly Manor School (Washington, IL)
API address [ 1014 School St, Washington, IL, 61571, US, null, null, 40.6923251, -89.4749561, null]
Bourbonnais Upper Grade Center (Bourbonnais, IL)
API address [ 200 W John Casey Rd, Bourbonnais, IL, 60914, US, null, null, 41.166711, -87.8778358, null]
Clinton Junior High School (Clinton, IL)
API address [ 701 Illini Dr, Clinton, IL, 61727, US, null, null, 40.1427728, -88.9751654, null]
Coal City Middle School (Coal City, IL)
API address [ 500 S Carbon Hill Rd, Coal City, IL, 60416, US, null, null, 41.27902599999999, -88.30262379999999, null]
Franklin Middle School (Champaign, IL)
API address [ 817 N Harris Ave, Champaign, IL, 61820-2849, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Herrin Junior High School (Herrin, IL)
API address [ 700 S 14th St, Herrin, IL, 62948, US, null, null, 37.7959645, -89.0258489, null]
Hoopeston Area Middle (Hoopeston, IL)
API address [ 615 E Orange St, Hoopeston, IL, 60942, US, null, null, 40.4587685, -87.66348669999999, null]
Lake Zurich Middle School South (Lake Zurich, IL)
API address [ 435 W Cuba Rd, Lake Zurich, IL, 60047, US, null, null, 42.1743742, -88.08549620000001, null]
Leman Middle School (West Chicago, IL)
API address [ 238 E Hazel St, West Chicago, IL, 60185, US, null, null, 41.8728907, -88.20152619999999, null]
Mannheim Middle School (Melrose Park, IL)
API address [ 2600 Hyde Park Ave, Melrose Park, IL, 60164-1536, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Manteno Middle School (Manteno, IL)
API address [ 250 N Poplar St, Manteno, IL, 60950-1098, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Mark Bills Middle School (Peoria, IL)
API address [ 6001 N Frostwood Pkwy, Peoria, IL, 61615, US, null, null, 40.761003, -89.662088, null]
Massac Junior High School (Metropolis, IL)
API address [ 3028 Old Marion Rd, Metropolis, IL, 62960, US, null, null, 37.1847025, -88.72227439999999, null]
Mokena Intermediate School (Mokena, IL)
API address [ 11331 195th St, Mokena, IL, 60448, US, null, null, 41.5343572, -87.8934884, null]
Morton Junior High School (Morton, IL)
API address [ 225 E Jackson St, Morton, IL, 61550, US, null, null, 40.6132544, -89.45545659999999, null]
Roosevelt Middle School (River Forest, IL)
API address [ 7560 Oak Ave, River Forest, IL, 60305-1842, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Sam Rotolo Middle School (Batavia, IL)
API address [ 1501 S Raddant Rd, Batavia, IL, 60510, US, null, null, 41.83074190000001, -88.29211459999999, null]
Watseka Junior High School (Watseka, IL)
API address [ 138 S Belmont Ave, Watseka, IL, 60970, US, null, null, 40.7706572, -87.72900899999999, null]

Abraham Lincoln Elementary School (Oak Park, IL)
API address [ 1111 S Grove Ave, Oak Park, IL, 60304, US, null, null, 41.8673306, -87.7949167, null]
Armstrong Elementary (East Peoria, IL)
API address [ 1848 Highview Rd, East Peoria, IL, 61611-1419, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Bradley West Elementary School (Bradley, IL)
API address [ 200 State St, Bradley, IL, 60915-2681, US, null, null, 41.1429312, -87.8801311, null]
Centennial Elementary School (El Paso, IL)
API address [ 135 W 5th St, El Paso, IL, 61738, US, null, null, 40.7435907, -89.01858690000002, null]
Central Elementary School (Riverside, IL)
API address [ 61 Woodside Rd, Riverside, IL, 60546-1974, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Central Grade School (Effingham, IL)
API address [ 3901 S Banker St, Effingham, IL, 62401, US, null, null, 39.0873313, -88.54816869999999, null]
Don D Shute Elementary School (East Peoria, IL)
API address [ 300 Briarbrook Dr, East Peoria, IL, 61611-4435, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Glendale School (East Peoria, IL)
API address [ 1000 Bloomington Rd, East Peoria, IL, 61611-2831, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Helen Keller Elementary School (Tinley Park, IL)
API address [ 7846 163rd St, Tinley Park, IL, 60477, US, null, null, 41.5961275, -87.8090663, null]
Jefferson Park Elementary School (El Paso, IL)
API address [ 250 W 3rd St, El Paso, IL, 61738, US, null, null, 40.7413447, -89.0202259, null]
Lasalle Elementary School (Creve Coeur, IL)
API address [ 300 N Highland St, Creve Coeur, IL, 61610-3135, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Lincoln Elementary (East Peoria, IL)
API address [ 801 Springfield Rd, East Peoria, IL, 61611-3366, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Oscar DePriest Elementary School (Chicago, IL)
API address [ 139 S Parkside Ave, Chicago, IL, 60644-3944, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Paul L. Bolin Elementary School (East Peoria, IL)
API address [ 428 Arnold Rd, East Peoria, IL, 61611-2272, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Renfro Elementary School (Collinsville, IL)
API address [ 311 Camelot Dr, Collinsville, IL, 62234, US, null, null, 38.6953304, -89.9735444, null]
Robeson Elementary School (Champaign, IL)
API address [ 2501 Southmoor Dr, Champaign, IL, 61821, US, null, null, 40.090782, -88.2893922, null]
Stratton Elementary School (Champaign, IL)
API address [ 902 N Randolph St, Champaign, IL, 61820, US, null, null, 40.1247574, -88.2445249, null]
Willard Elementary School (River Forest, IL)
API address [ 1250 Ashland Ave, River Forest, IL, 60305-1028, US, null, null, null, null, null]
Woodrow Wilson School (East Peoria, IL)
API address [ 300 Oakwood Ave, East Peoria, IL, 61611-1385, US, null, null, 40.7453034, -89.523808, 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.

Attend a Training

Host a Training

best buddies ambassador giving a speech at a podium

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.

Join a chapter

group of best buddies promoters participants

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.

Join the program

Best Buddies Transitions program member at work on a farm

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

Leadership Development (Illinois)

Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs

Illinois Chapter Listing

BESTBUDDIES^® Ambassadors

BESTBUDDIES^® Promoters

BESTBUDDIES^® Transitions

How the Ambassadors Program Works

Advocacy Training

Public Speaking

Speech Coaches

Ongoing Development

Advancement

How the Promoters Program Works

Connect

Ongoing Support

Advocate

Events

How the Transitions Program Works

Eligibility

Educator Collaboration

Implementation

Best Buddies in Illinois

Best Buddies International

Leadership Development (Illinois)

Best Buddies Leadership Development Programs

Illinois Chapter Listing

BESTBUDDIES® Ambassadors

BESTBUDDIES® Promoters

BESTBUDDIES® Transitions

How the Ambassadors Program Works

Advocacy Training

Public Speaking

Speech Coaches

Ongoing Development

Advancement

How the Promoters Program Works

Connect

Ongoing Support

Advocate

Events

How the Transitions Program Works

Eligibility

Educator Collaboration

Implementation

Best Buddies in Illinois

Best Buddies International

BESTBUDDIES^® Ambassadors

BESTBUDDIES^® Promoters

BESTBUDDIES^® Transitions