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Anthony Kennedy Shriver founded the first Best Buddies chapter at Georgetown University in Washington DC.
Georgetown University's website: https://www.georgetown.edu/ -
Best Buddies was founded in 1987, and is now a thriving organization.
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Famous contemporary artist Keith Haring created and donated the iconic Best Buddies logo. Keith has a family member with special needs, and after seeing the power that a good friend had on his family member, he reached out and asked if he could donate the logo.
For more information, visit: https://bestbuddies.org/history-best-buddies-keith-haring-logo/ -
Best Buddies became America's first national, unified, social, and recreational program for people with intellectual disabilities as a nonprofit organization on January 19, 1989.
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The program Best Buddies citizens is launched to pair adults with intellectual disabilities with their non-disabled peers.
For more information on becoming a Best Buddies citizen, visit: https://www.bestbuddiesonline.org/Citizens/CitizensMemberApplication.aspx -
Best Buddies expands into the high school community. The goal was to create one-on-one friendships among high school volunteers.
For more information on Best Buddies school chapters, visit: https://bestbuddies.org/blog/faq/what-are-best-buddies-school-friendship-chapters/ -
Best Buddies middle school programs were launched in the hopes that inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities will have a lasting effect on the societal norms of the next generation.
For more information on Best Buddies school chapters, visit: https://bestbuddies.org/blog/faq/what-are-best-buddies-school-friendship-chapters/ -
e-Buddies is launched to create email friendships, much like a pen pal.
For more information on e-Buddies, visit: http://www.ebuddies.org/ -
Best Buddies has a chapter in each of the 50 states.
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The Eunice Kennedy Shriver Act is passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, authorizing federal funds for Best Buddies. Eunice Kennedy Shriver is the founder of the Special Olympics, mother of Best Buddies founder and Chairman Anthony K. Shriver, and advocate for those with disabilities.
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Best Buddies launches the "I'm In to Hire" campaign to promote the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
For more information on the "I'm In to Hire" campaign, visit: https://bestbuddies.org/imintohire/
