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.
Massachusetts & Rhode Island Chapter Listings
Promoters chapters
Ambassadors programTo join a chapter in Massachusetts, click the school name below
- Cape Cod Community College (Barnstable, MA)
API address [ Wilkens Library, Barnstable, MA, 02668, US, null, null, 41.69084489999999, -70.3369526, null]
- Northern Essex Community College (Haverhill, MA)
API address [ Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, MA, 01830-2306, US, null, null, 42.79673529999999, -71.0489411, null]
- University of Massachusetts Medical School (Worcester, MA)
API address [ 55 Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01604-0002, US, null, null, 42.2752545, -71.76235129999999, null]
- Advanced Math & Science Academy (Marlborough, MA)
API address [ 201 Forest St, Marlborough, MA, 01752-3012, US, null, null, 42.33361439999999, -71.5778198, null]
- Arlington Catholic High School (Arlington, MA)
API address [ 16 Medford St, Arlington, MA, 02474, US, null, null, 42.4155003, -71.1507002, null]
- Arlington High School (Arlington, MA)
API address [ 869 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA, 02476-4701, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Austin Preparatory School (Reading, MA)
API address [ 101 Willow St, Reading, MA, 01867-1551, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Bishop Fenwick High School (Peabody, MA)
API address [ 99 Margin St, Peabody, MA, 01960-1846, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Boston Green Academy (Boston, MA)
API address [ 20 Warren St, Boston, MA, 02135, US, null, null, 42.3503103, -71.1455508, null]
- Buckingham, Browne and Nichols School (Cambridge, MA)
API address [ 80 Gerrys Landing Rd, Cambridge, MA, 02138-5504, US, null, null, 42.3714065, -71.1359774, null]
- Cambridge School of Weston (Weston, MA)
API address [ 45 Georgian Rd, Weston, MA, 02493, US, null, null, 42.3873143, -71.2728044, null]
- Marshfield High School (Marshfield, MA)
API address [ 167 Forest St, Marshfield, MA, 02050-2306, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Newton South High School (Newton, MA)
API address [ 140 Brandeis Rd, Newton, MA, 02459-2745, US, null, null, 42.3136457, -71.18625410000001, null]
- Norwell High School (Norwell, MA)
API address [ 18 South St, Norwell, MA, 02061-2435, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Notre Dame Academy (Hingham, MA)
API address [ 1073 Main St, Hingham, MA, 02043, US, null, null, 42.1853238, -70.8886383, null]
- Oakmont Regional High School (Ashburnham, MA)
API address [ 9 Oakmont Dr, Ashburnham, MA, 01430, US, null, null, 42.6043595, -71.92244260000001, null]
- Oliver Ames High School (Easton, MA)
API address [ 100 Lothrop St, Easton, MA, 02356-2002, US, null, null, 42.055176, -71.11152229999999, null]
- Oxford High School (Oxford, MA)
API address [ 100 Carbuncle Dr, Oxford, MA, 01540, US, null, null, 42.13780420000001, -71.87165519999999, null]
- Shepherd Hill Regional High School (Dudley, MA)
API address [ 68 Dudley Oxford Rd, Dudley, MA, 01571-6116, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- St. Johns Preparatory School (Danvers, MA)
API address [ 72 Spring St, Danvers, MA, 01923-1545, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- St. Mark's High School (Southborough, MA)
API address [ 25 Marlboro Road, Southborough, MA, 01772, US, null, null, 42.310010209824, -71.529844399323, null]
- Stoughton High School (Stoughton, MA)
API address [ 232 Pearl St, Stoughton, MA, 02072-2325, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- The Academy at Penguin Hall (Wenham, MA)
API address [ 36 Essex St, Wenham, MA, 01982-1710, US, null, null, 42.6049321, -70.8494868, null]
- The English High School (Boston, MA)
API address [ 144 McBride St, Boston, MA, 02130, US, null, null, 42.3062744, -71.10943329999999, null]
- The Governor's Academy (Byfield, MA)
API address [ 1 Elm Street, Byfield, MA, 01922-2717, US, null, null, 42.7493595670673, -70.8973900745145, null]
- The Williston Northampton School (Easthampton, MA)
API address [ 19 Payson Ave, Easthampton, MA, 01027, US, null, null, 42.2665262, -72.6716217, null]
- Wareham High School (Wareham, MA)
API address [ 7 Viking Dr, Wareham, MA, 02571-1466, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Wayland High School (Wayland, MA)
API address [ 264 Old Connecticut Path, Wayland, MA, 01778-3141, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Westfield High School (Westfield, MA)
API address [ 177 Montgomery Rd, Westfield, MA, 01085-1528, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Worcester Academy (Worcester, MA)
API address [ 81 Providence St, Worcester, MA, 01604-4203, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Amherst Middle School (Amherst, MA)
API address [ 170 Chestnut St, Amherst, MA, 01002-1825, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Beverly Middle School (Beverly, MA)
API address [ 502 Cabot St, Beverly, MA, 01915, US, null, null, 42.565331, -70.8877151, null]
- Chenery Middle School (Belmont, MA)
API address [ 95 Washington St, Belmont, MA, 02478-2862, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Chocksett Middle School (Sterling, MA)
API address [ 40 Boutelle Road, Sterling, MA, 01564, US, null, null, 42.4133286, -71.77792079999999, null]
- Diamond Middle School (Lexington, MA)
API address [ 99 Hancock Street, Lexington, MA, 02420, US, null, null, 42.463403689891, -71.228020615516, null]
- Galvin Middle School (Wakefield, MA)
API address [ 525 Main St, Wakefield, MA, 01880-7313, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Gates Middle School (Scituate, MA)
API address [ 460 First Parish Rd, Scituate, MA, 02066-3860, US, null, null, 42.1989835, -70.7543098, null]
- Groton-Dunstable Regional Middle School (Groton, MA)
API address [ 344 Main St #346, Groton, MA, 01450-1234, US, null, null, 42.6178544, -71.5799062, null]
- Higgins Middle School (Peabody, MA)
API address [ 85 Perkins Street, Peabody, MA, 01960-4290, US, null, null, 42.525845431968, -70.941155930488, null]
- Luther Burbank Middle School (Lancaster, MA)
API address [ 1 Hollywood Dr, Lancaster, MA, 01523-4500, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Marshall Middle School (Billerica, MA)
API address [ 365 Boston Road, Billerica, MA, 01821, US, null, null, 42.5768259, -71.287109, null]
- Pembroke Community Middle School (Pembroke, MA)
API address [ 559 School St, Pembroke, MA, 02359-3606, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Pollard Middle School (Needham, MA)
API address [ 200 Harris Ave, Needham, MA, 02492-3335, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Qualters Middle School (Mansfield, MA)
API address [ 240 East St, Mansfield, MA, 02048, US, null, null, 42.02914620000001, -71.2063967, null]
- Samoset Middle School (Leominster, MA)
API address [ 100 Decicco Dr, Leominster, MA, 01453, US, null, null, 42.49228309999999, -71.7687881, null]
- Wellesley Middle School (Wellesley, MA)
API address [ 50 Kingsbury St, Wellesley, MA, 02481-4831, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Westfield Middle School (Westfield, MA)
API address [ 30 W Silver St, Westfield, MA, 01085, US, null, null, 42.1145742, -72.7510944, null]
- Whitman Middle School (Whitman, MA)
API address [ 100 Corthell Ave, Whitman, MA, 02382, US, null, null, 42.0786296, -70.95746009999999, null]
- Wilmington Middle School (Wilmington, MA)
API address [ 25 Carter Ln, Wilmington, MA, 01887, US, null, null, 42.549273, -71.1880178, null]
- A. Irvin Studley Elementary School (Attleboro, MA)
API address [ 299 Rathbun Willard Dr, Attleboro, MA, 02703, US, null, null, 41.9366225, -71.3057951, null]
- Bournedale Elementary (Bourne, MA)
API address [ 41 Ernest Valeri Rd, Bourne, MA, 02532-5682, US, null, null, 41.7600157, -70.5803166, null]
- Chenery Upper Elementary School (Belmont, MA)
API address [ 95 Washington St, Belmont, MA, 02478, US, null, null, 42.3870713, -71.1873918, null]
- Duval Elementary (Whitman, MA)
API address [ 60 Regal St, Whitman, MA, 02382, US, null, null, 42.0876394, -70.9174598, null]
- General John J. Stefanik Elementary School (Chicopee, MA)
API address [ 720 Meadow St, Chicopee, MA, 01013, US, null, null, 42.1668969, -72.6159484, null]
- Jenkins (Older) Elementary (Scituate, MA)
API address [ 266 Tilden Rd, Scituate, MA, 02066-2714, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Jenkins Early Elementary School (Scituate, MA)
API address [ 54 Vinal Ave, Scituate, MA, 02066-4226, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Josiah Quincy Elementary School (Boston, MA)
API address [ 885 Washington St, Boston, MA, 02111, US, null, null, 42.3483465, -71.0644902, null]
- Mario Umana Academy K-8 (Boston, MA)
API address [ 312 Border St, Boston, MA, 02128-1634, US, null, null, 42.3784004, -71.0408161, null]
- Parthum Elementary School (Lawrence, MA)
API address [ 255 E Haverhill St, Lawrence, MA, 01841-1487, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Richardson Olmsted Elementary (Easton, MA)
API address [ 101 Lothrop St, Easton, MA, 02356, US, null, null, 42.0572983, -71.1117079, null]
- Shamrock Elementary School (Woburn, MA)
API address [ 60 Green St, Woburn, MA, 01801, US, null, null, 42.4774965, -71.14123099999999, null]
To join a chapter in Rhode Island, click the school name below
- South Kingstown High School (Wakefield, RI)
API address [ 215 Columbia St, Wakefield, RI, 02879, US, null, null, 41.44606650000001, -71.4947418, null]
- Wheeler School (Providence, RI)
API address [ 216 Hope St, Providence, RI, 02906-2214, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- North Smithfield Middle School (North Smithfield, RI)
API address [ 1850 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI, 02896, US, null, null, 41.953136, -71.546106, null]
- Alice M. Waddington School (East Providence, RI)
API address [ 101 Legion Way, East Providence, RI, 02915, US, null, null, 41.7633666, -71.3475022, null]
- Anthony Carnevale Elementary School (Providence, RI)
API address [ 50 Springfield St, Providence, RI, 02909-5831, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Claiborne Pell Elementary School (Newport, RI)
API address [ 35 Dexter St, Newport, RI, 02840, US, null, null, 41.5085486, -71.30488, null]
- Curvin McCabe (Pawtucket, RI)
API address [ 466 Cottage St., Pawtucket, RI, 02861, US, null, null, 41.888329, -71.36490200000001, null]
- Emma G. Whiteknact Elementary School (East Providence, RI)
API address [ 261 Grosvenor Ave, East Providence, RI, 02914-3617, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Hampden Meadows Elementary School (Barrington, RI)
API address [ 297 New Meadow Rd, Barrington, RI, 02806, US, null, null, 41.7541444, -71.3023616, null]
- Kent Heights Elementary School (East Providence, RI)
API address [ 2680 Pawtucket Ave, East Providence, RI, 02914-3349, US, null, null, null, null, null]
- Lincoln Central Elementary School (Lincoln, RI)
API address [ 1081 Great Rd, Lincoln, RI, 02865, US, null, null, 41.9286628, -71.4456136, null]
- Lonsdale Elementary School (Lincoln, RI)
API address [ 270 River Rd, Lincoln, RI, 02865, US, null, null, 41.9086264, -71.4165333, null]
- Northern Lincoln Elementary School (Lincoln, RI)
API address [ 315 New River Rd, Lincoln, RI, 02838, US, null, null, 41.9631781, -71.46796820000002, null]
- Saylesville Elementary School (Lincoln, RI)
API address [ 50 Woodland St, Lincoln, RI, 02865-2800, 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
