My name is Peter, and I am from Washington, DC. In late 2022, I moved to Best Buddies Living, Georgetown.

Before Best Buddies Living, I was in New York at a year-round camp, working in a community center. I stayed in a dorm and had an assigned job washing dishes, bagging lunches, and counting lids and trays.

Moving into Best Buddies Living was the right next step for me. I have more independence living in my own apartment. I enjoy living in an apartment because it is less hectic and quieter than living in a dorm, but I still have roommates and a community that I enjoy spending time with. For example, my roommates and I do group activities together, like bowling and sex education workshops, and on Wednesdays, we have group dinners together.

Being involved in the BBL community has taught me important life and relationship-building skills. My roommates and I respectfully communicate with each other. For example, if someone is playing loud music while I’m trying to work, I will ask them to please turn it down. We also have created agreements, such as quiet hours and sharing chore responsibilities, like cleaning and taking out the trash. At Best Buddies Living, I also get to cook my own meals, which is preparing me for my dream job of working in a kitchen!

I am also a Best Buddies State Ambassador. I have attended ambassador trainings focused on interview skills, networking, elevator pitches, and using LinkedIn. As an Ambassador, I am learning critical leadership and self-advocacy skills. For example, I recently used the skills I learned from an Ambassadors training to pitch myself to the local library because I wanted to get involved as a volunteer.

A huge part of being a State Ambassador is spreading the Best Buddies mission and being involved in Virginia and DC events. At the gala, I was a sous chef with Chef Mike Friedman from All Purpose, and together, we served mini flatbreads. I enjoyed meeting gala guests and getting to tell them all about my involvement and why I love Best Buddies!