Best Buddies Canada

Best Buddies Canada Best Buddies Canada is a national volunteer program matching people with and without intellectual disabilities to create friendships. Join today!

www.bestbuddies.ca https://linktr.ee/bestbuddiescanada

We’re excited to introduce our final chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: Waterloo-Oxford District Second...
08/25/2026

We’re excited to introduce our final chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School!🎉

Throughout the year, students showed initiative in planning creative, meaningful opportunities for Buddies and Peer Buddies to connect. The chapter met every Monday as a group to do a variety of games and activities - special highlights include attending the Best Buddies Friendship Walk at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute, hosting a dress-up party, and decorating holiday cookies.👟🍪

Chapter President Sarina Loschmann went above and beyond in leading the chapter. Her commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all students helped make this year the chapter’s most successful year yet. She also emulated Best Buddies' mission beyond the classroom, bringing her Buddy, Kate, with her to their school’s annual semi-formal and cheering her on at her ACE floor hockey tournament. We’re truly inspired by Sarina’s energy, positivity, and thoughtful leadership.💚

Congratulations to Sarina, Staff Advisor Kathryn Jacklin, and all staff and students at Waterloo-Oxford District Secondary School!🏆

Check out Alison and Lily's incredible Dream Ride Experience with The Hometown Foundation!🎉Alison and Lily represented B...
08/24/2026

Check out Alison and Lily's incredible Dream Ride Experience with The Hometown Foundation!🎉

Alison and Lily represented Best Buddies Canada, joining participants from 12 other countries on the ride of a lifetime, including sightseeing around NYC, visiting the home of the Red Sox at Boston's Fenway Park, and finally, the Dream Ride Experience weekend in Farmington, CT!🏎

The Hometown Foundation's Dream Ride Experience celebrates the IDD community's strength, determination, and ability to overcome challenges while promoting friendship and inclusion. Thank you to Hometown Foundation Inc. for giving Alison and Lily the opportunity to create lifelong memories at this unforgettable experience.💚

We're thrilled to recognize the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: Turner Fenton Secondary School!...
08/24/2026

We're thrilled to recognize the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: Turner Fenton Secondary School!🎉

Throughout the year, the chapter demonstrated a strong commitment to building an inclusive and welcoming school community, creating opportunities for students to connect with their peers and enjoy activities together. Buddies and Peer Buddies met consistently each week and developed meaningful one-to-one friendships.

The chapter also planned a variety of fun events including Kahoot games, a holiday celebration, and an end-of-year pizza party!🍕

Beyond their regular chapter activities, they proudly represented their school community at the 2025 Mississauga Friendship Walk, showing their support for Best Buddies' mission of fostering friendship and inclusion for all.👟💚

Congratulations to Staff Advisors Anu Kawal, Jillian Abram, and Tanu Relan and all staff and students at Turner Fenton Secondary School!🏆

We're excited to announce the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic ...
08/21/2026

We're excited to announce the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic High School!🎉

This chapter was committed to fostering friendship and inclusion all year long, meeting twice a week for lunches and games. They also planned a wide range of creative activities, including a Halloween candy hunt, Easter egg hunt, Christmas and Valentine’s Day celebrations, a bowling field trip, and plenty of game days.🎳🎃🎄

Throughout the year, Buddies and Peer Buddies demonstrated true leadership by taking on chapter responsibilities like managing budgets, recruiting members, planning events, and advocating for disability inclusion.

The Villanova chapter consistently went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt a sense of belonging. They hosted a Best Buddies booth at their school’s Grade 8 Open House, welcoming future students and sharing information about the program. They also created an amazing video for Best Buddies Month that celebrated both their teamwork and the unique strengths of each member.💚

Three graduating seniors in particular truly embodied what it means to be a leader and a constant in their community. They mentored younger members, made sure no Buddy was ever left sitting alone, and stepped in wherever they were needed. Through these everyday acts of kindness and service, they helped create a supportive community for every student.🤝✨

We're truly impressed and inspired by the leadership, initiative, and empathy demonstrated by the Villanova chapter. Congratulations to Staff Advisor Nanette Tomasian, Chapter President Anya Persaud, and all students and staff members at St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School!🏆

Mark your calendars - literally!🗓🎉Another year of Best Buddies launches in just a few short weeks, and we know the start...
08/20/2026

Mark your calendars - literally!🗓🎉

Another year of Best Buddies launches in just a few short weeks, and we know the start of a new program year can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. That's why we're helping you get ahead of the curve with our brand new Program Calendar!

If you're a Staff Advisor, Chapter President, or member of a Chapter Leadership Team, the Program Calendar has all the resources you need to feel prepared, stay organized, and make the most of the 2026-2027 program year, including:
✅ Monthly checklists
✅ Activity ideas
✅ Important dates & awareness days
✅ Community Events
✅ Chapter start-up tasks
✅ Tips and tricks to help you throughout the year

Keep checking back throughout the year as we add new dates, activities, and resources to help you and your chapter succeed.

🔗 Find the 2026–2027 Program Calendar and other resources at www.bestbuddies.ca/helpfulresources

We're thrilled to recognize the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic...
08/19/2026

We're thrilled to recognize the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School!🎉

Throughout the year, the chapter created a welcoming and supportive community through weekly lunch gatherings. These regular opportunities to connect helped students in the Life Skills program strengthen their social and interpersonal skills and build meaningful friendships with their Peer Buddies.

Peer Buddies took on important mentorship and leadership roles, serving as positive role models within Best Buddies and in the school community. They also had the opportunity to join their Life Skills friends at their Co-Op work placements, where they showed genuine interest in their experiences, learned alongside them, and celebrated their accomplishments.🤝✨

Their tight-knit community grew even closer when they experienced the sudden and tragic loss of one of their friends in the Life Skills program. During this time of grief, students relied on each other for comfort and came together to support the student's family. They showed incredible compassion and unity, reflecting the genuine friendships they had built throughout the year.❤️‍🩹

In the weeks that followed, the chapter continued to come together and reflect on all the ways they had learned to lead, connect, and foster friendship and inclusion. Buddies and Peer Buddies celebrated together at the board-wide Life Skills Spring Prom. Many graduating Peer Buddies shared that their experience with Best Buddies had been a highlight of their high school years.🎓

Congratulations to Staff Advisors Catherine Condello and Melissa Burnett, Chapter President Jackson Zwarich, and all staff and students at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School!🏆

September is just around the corner!🎒🏫Our Back to School Sale has been EXTENDED - now’s the perfect time to stock up on ...
08/19/2026

September is just around the corner!🎒🏫

Our Back to School Sale has been EXTENDED - now’s the perfect time to stock up on Best Buddies gear. Save up to 30% off on select items in the Best Buddies Canada Shop until the end of the month!

Every purchase helps support our mission of fostering friendship and inclusion for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.💚

🛍️ Shop the sale at https://shopbestbuddiescanada.myshopify.com/collections/back-to-school-sale

We’re excited to announce the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: Milliken Mills High School!🎉This ...
08/13/2026

We’re excited to announce the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: Milliken Mills High School!🎉

This chapter had an incredible year building friendships, spreading kindness, and advocating for the Best Buddies mission. Peer Buddies went above and beyond to connect with and support their Buddies, fostering meaningful friendships that extended beyond regular Best Buddies meetings.💚

Their student leaders also showed their initiative and commitment through creative fundraisers such as Krispy Kreme sales, an Eco-Thrift Drive, bubble tea sales, and booths at the school's Winter Market, Valentine's Day celebrations, and Year-End Carnival.🧋🎡

Every dollar raised from their fundraisers went towards the annual Best Buddies Prom!🕺 Milliken Mills' chapter helped plan and run the event, which was attended by over 650 staff and students from Best Buddies chapters across the York Region District School Board. This incredible celebration wouldn't be possible without the hard work and dedication of Milliken Mills' staff and students.🙌

We're so proud of this chapter for championing inclusion in everything they do. Congratulations to Staff Advisors Shana Mayer and Sheryl Ng, Chapter Presidents Selina and Valerie, and all students and staff members at Milliken Mills High School!🏆

We are grateful to the District of North Vancouver for their support of our program. Their contribution allows us to rea...
08/12/2026

We are grateful to the District of North Vancouver for their support of our program. Their contribution allows us to reach new schools in Vancouver and promote our message of inclusion.

Thank you!💚

We're thrilled to recognize the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: McGill University & Miriam Home...
08/07/2026

We're thrilled to recognize the next chapter to receive a 2025-2026 Award of Excellence: McGill University & Miriam Home and Services!🎉

It was an incredible year for the McGill chapter, marked by strong leadership and consistent chapter events. Their dedicated leadership team recruited a strong group of committed students, surpassing pre-COVID participation and involvement levels. They set an inspiring example for the students who will be stepping into leadership roles for 2026-2027.💛

The year was packed with fun activities and events including Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine's Day celebrations, an end-of-year potluck, and book sale, bake sale, and thrift sale fundraisers.🧁📖

Miriam Home and Services' Host Site Coordinator, Elspeth Sparling, shared more about some of the chapter's standout student leaders: "Chapter President Sophia Rutigliano led the chapter with her bright personality and commitment to the role, Vevey Suminovic recruited many students and assisted with chapter administration even while studying abroad during second semester, and Yuval Klein's organization and efficiency helped keep the chapter running smoothly all year."

Together, McGill's dedicated leadership team created countless opportunities for buddies to connect, build meaningful friendships, and feel a strong sense of belonging.🤝✨

Congratulations to Leadership Team members Sophia, Vevey, Yuval, Arabell, Leora, Randa, and Zoe, Host Site Coordinator Elspeth, and the participants at McGill University & Miriam Home and Services!

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