{"id":186911,"date":"2025-03-03T09:27:43","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T14:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?p=186911"},"modified":"2025-03-03T12:50:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T17:50:53","slug":"building-friendships-changing-lives-best-buddies-citizens-in-butler-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/ohio\/best-buddies-citizens-in-butler-county","title":{"rendered":"Building Friendships, Changing Lives: Best Buddies Citizens in Butler County!"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”186915″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]At Best Buddies in Ohio, we know that friendship is more than just a connection\u2014it\u2019s a lifeline. For adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), meaningful friendships can often be difficult to make and keep. That\u2019s why we\u2019re thrilled to announce the kickoff event for Best Buddies Citizens program in Butler County, Ohio, on Thursday, March 13<\/strong>! This initiative is a powerful step toward fostering inclusion, social connection, and leadership for adults with and without IDD, and we can\u2019t wait to see the friendships that grow from it!<\/p>\n

Why Friendship Matters<\/h3>\n

Social isolation is a growing crisis across the U.S., and adults with IDD are particularly vulnerable. According to a U.S. Surgeon General survey in 2023, lacking social connection can be as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Additionally, research shows that while the average person has a social network of about 125 people, an individual with IDD typically has only three\u2014one of whom is often a paid caregiver.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where Best Buddies Citizens steps in. By pairing adults with and without IDD in one-to-one friendships, the program provides an opportunity for meaningful and intentional relationships to flourish. Through social events, community engagement, staff support, and ongoing mentorship, Citizens helps to bridge the gap of loneliness as well as create lifelong bonds.<\/p>\n

\"Butler<\/h3>\n

How Citizens Works<\/h3>\n

The Citizens program is designed to create mutually enriching friendships between adults with and without IDD. The process involves:<\/p>\n