In a heartwarming recognition of our mission to foster friendship and inclusion, Best Buddies was prominently featured in the press three times in April leading up to the Friendship Walk.

Sumaria and Amar Malik were highlighted on WDC Living Local and shared the story of how the entire Malik family has gotten involved with Best Buddies over several years.

State Ambassador Jhiya Cooper and Director of Development Mary Schafhauser joined Eileen Whelan, host of WJLA’s Good Morning Washington and emcee of this year’s Friendship Walk to discuss Best Buddies’ four pillars in action.

Finally, Hannah Lenox and Sidonia Cannon painted pottery together offering WUSA Simone DeAlba a glimpse into their friendship made possible by the Best Buddies adult friendship program, Citizens.

These appearances underscore our dedication to creating a more inclusive world through meaningful connections. Here’s a look at our latest media mentions that are bringing our message of inclusion into the spotlight.

WDC Living Local Sumaira & Amar

Best Buddies in Virginia and DC’s Sumaria and Amar Malik joined WDC Living Local DMV to discuss the Friendship Walk.

For over a decade, the Malik family has volunteered with Best Buddies.

The Malik family got their start with Best Buddies in Michigan after their eldest daughter felt a need to get involved. She would see IDD students who were underserved and wanted to make sure they felt like a part of the school and the community, having a brother, Amar, with Down syndrome.

She started getting involved with the school and fell in love with Best Buddies. She felt like it made a difference with the kids in the school and community.

The Malik family has participated in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk for almost 9 years. The youngest Mailk family member, Sasha, is also involved in Best Buddies and is the chapter president at Langley High School.

The school is quite involved, and everyone loves celebrating friendship and inclusion at the Friendship Walks year after year.

Amar says the Friendship Walks are “great and a good experience,” and he likes “hanging out with friends” and dancing.

“It’s great,” Amar continued, “It’s a great program.”

Sumaira described the Friendship Walk as fun and lively, “with lots of dancing, music, walking, care, and love.”

“You feel the care and involvement of the community,” she continued. “It’s a very positive feeling. It supports a great cause to support kids with disabilities, which is amazing.”

Best Buddies has had an amazing impact on the Malik family. Amar feels like he is a part of the community inside and outside of school. He has great buddies who call him and ask him to get lunch or dinner or go to a movie. It makes him feel like he has a friend and a belonging in the world.

“For us, as a family, we are absolutely grateful for the opportunity Best Buddies has provided for Amar and others like him,” Sumaira shared.

Amar likes doing arts and crafts. He’s a part of the George Mason University Best Buddies chapter. “It’s a great program,” he said. “I’m very involved at school. It’s great!”

“He has friends on campus,” Sumaira said, “We want that experience for all of our kids with or without a disability, so it’s wonderful. I’m really grateful that we have that opportunity for him, and others.”

To get involved with Best Buddies, you can attend an event like the Friendship Walk or Champion of the Year Gala. You can also donate and sign up to be matched with a buddy in a one-to-one friendship.

WJLA Mary & Jhiya

Best Buddies Ambassador, Jhiya Cooper and Best Buddies Director of Development, Mary Schafhauser, joined WJLA’s Eileen Whelan on Good Morning Washington to talk about the Washington, DC Friendship Walk.

Best Buddies was founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989 at Georgetown University and supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Jhiya Cooper, a DC native, is involved in Best Buddies in Virginia and DC’s jobs, leadership, and friendship programs.

“Best Buddies has four pillars in the program. One is the friendship program, which matched peers with and without IDD in one-to-one friendships. We have school friendship programs and adult friendship programs. I’m involved in the Best Buddies Citizens program where I met my buddy, Isabella. I get to hang out with her and get to know her while I’m in the program.

“The second one is the jobs program, which helps people with IDD find long-term meaningful employment opportunities and has employment consultants work with individuals throughout all stages of the hiring process. I am in a jobs program, and I work in the retail setting, and I love shoes, so I work in the shoe department. I love shoes! That’s my favorite department to work in.

“The other one is the leadership program. It has ambassadors and helps people with and without IDD with professional development, leadership, and self-advocacy training. For me, because I struggle with autism, it helps me become an advocate and speak up for people with and without IDD in my own community.

“The last program is the living program. It’s an assisted living program where people with and without disabilities live together and learn independent living skills. Even though I’m not a part of that program, it helps people with and without IDD become independent and live a long and beautiful life and also build independent living skills and goals.”

Jhiya feels great about getting to use her voice and advocate for people with disabilities like herself. She’s also did an amazing job speaking at the Best Buddies Friendship Walk.

Check out the 2024 Best Buddies Friendship Walk video to see Jhiya on stage!

WUSA Sidonia & Hannah

Best Buddies in Virginia and DC Citizens pair Hannah and Sidonia joined WUSA’s Simone DeAlba to paint pottery and offer a glimpse into their friendship.

At Clay Café Studios in Falls Church, two friends carefully picked the perfect color of paint. But really, it’s about so much more than painting pottery.

Hannah, who is 26, is beginning a new adventure. She’s making a life all her own.

“It’s a pretty big step for me,” she said. “I’m teaching myself to be healthier and have a healthier life, and how to live by myself.”

Starting over in a new city can be difficult, and Hannah talked about some of the hardest parts.

“Being overwhelmed and stressed,” she said.

This is where Sidonia Cannon comes in.

“She had just moved here, and I had just graduated college, so a lot of my friends were moving away; it was good for both of us to meet together and find a friend,” said Cannon.

Citizens is a Best Buddies adult friendship program that creates one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded.

“Best Buddies is when you meet some new friends and sometimes they like to give parties,” said Hannah with a big smile on her face.

“Find your own groove,” said Hannah. “So, you can find your inner spark to show the world.”

If you are interested in joining Citizens, email Veah Velasco at VeahVelasco@bestbuddies.org.