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What We\u2019ve Been Up To (Virtually)<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128692″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leadership Conference was virtual this year! We had over 30 student leaders, advisors, ambassadors, and community leaders from Minnesota attend to learn all about creating inclusive communities and making the world a better place. If you registered online you can watch any of the sessions on the portal through August 17th, and anyone can catch a replay of the Opening Ceremony: Voices of Inclusion and the Best Buddies Speaker WOWcase!<\/em> on Facebook<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lunch Buddies + Virtual Hang-Ins<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every week we\u2019ve been logging into Zoom for Lunch Buddies on Tuesdays and Virtual Hang-Ins on Thursdays. Little did we know when we started these virtual programs back in March, that they would become a cornerstone of our mission 18 weeks later. This time together has been, and will continue to be, a wonderful highlight each week for our participants and volunteers.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

School Program Update<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128697″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]While we wait for all school districts in Minnesota to make final decisions about how school will look this upcoming year, Best Buddies is forging ahead and preparing for virtual connections. So much about students\u2019 daily lives have changed already this school year; sports and afterschool clubs were canceled or happened in completely different ways including Best Buddies friendship chapters.<\/p>\n

However, we know this is true: FRIENDSHIP can happen virtually<\/strong>, and our school chapters will play an important role in helping students stay connected during the upcoming school year. At Best Buddies, we are committed to supporting our school chapters in creative ways this year and always.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

Best Buddies Expansion Update<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128698″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]We are getting ready for a new school year, which means new school chapters! We are excited to welcome THREE new school chapters<\/strong> to the Best Buddies Minnesota community this Fall:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Farmington High School
\n\u2022 Minnetonka High School
\n\u2022 University of Minnesota \u2013 Twin Cities[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]BBMN has 11 school chapters (10 High School and 1 College) throughout Minnesota and we would like YOU to help us open even more. If you would like a friendship program in your school, please contact Katey Nelson at kateynelson@bestbuddies.org<\/span><\/a> for more information.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

NEW Program Highlight<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128699″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Best Buddies Citizens<\/strong><\/p>\n

One silver lining in this time of quarantine is the launch of our Citizens Adult Friendship Program! We are now accepting applications for adults (18+) with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Twin Cities to join our Citizens program. This program pairs an adult with IDD in a one-to-one friendship with an adult without IDD from the community. Through the program, these two adults, called a buddy pair, develop a mutually enriching friendship, experience life together, and support each other when it is needed most. We will begin virtual programming in September!<\/p>\n<\/i>LEARN MORE<\/a>\n

For questions about the Citizens program, contact minnesota@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/span>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

Upcoming Events<\/strong><\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Social Media Ambassador Training<\/strong>
\nThursday, August 6th @ 5 PM
\nZoom<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/i>REGISTER NOW<\/a>\n

Join Best Buddies Expansion for a special Ambassador training focusing on social media! This training will cover:
\n\u2022 Video chat etiquette
\n\u2022 Posting on social media
\n\u2022 The best ways to contact your buddy and friends[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Individuals with and without disabilities are invited to attend and participate in the discussion. If you have any questions or require assistance, contact Mack Schroeder at MackSchroeder@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/span>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Champion of the Year Gala
\n<\/strong>Friday, November 13th
\nVirtual Event<\/p>\n<\/i>LEARN MORE<\/a>\n

The Best Buddies in Minnesota 3rd Annual Champion of the Year Gala is going virtual! hough our event may look a bit different this year, our goal is the same: to celebrate friendship and inclusion and raise funds so we can continue growing our life-changing programs in Minnesota. We hope you will join us![\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]For sponsorship opportunities and other event inquiries, please contact Katey Nelson at KateyNelson@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/span> or (612) 460-7440.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”128702″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]\n

Stay Connected<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Be sure to follow us on Instagram<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a> to stay up to date with our virtual activities, Champion of the Year announcements, and more!<\/p>\n

Friendship Fridays<\/strong>: Tag @bestbuddiesmn<\/span><\/strong> on social media with your favorite pictures of you and your buddies. We want to feature your story![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Check out Best Buddies in Minnesota’s summer newsletter!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":128692,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"mn-single-post.php","format":"image","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1605],"tags":[1958],"class_list":["post-128688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-image","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-minnesota-news","tag-minnesota-news","post_format-post-format-image"],"yoast_head":"\n