Madari Pendas says if you want to change the world, Best Buddies International is the most tangible way to do it.
“Best Buddies programs change peoples’ lives,” she said.
Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization, strives to create a network of volunteers who are dedicated to integrating and serving the intellectual and developmental disabilities population, according to its website.
The list of groups that Best Buddies focuses on includes those with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome and cerebral palsy, to name a few.
The organization is once more coming to Bloomington to play host to its 27th annual Best Buddies International Leadership Conference from July 22-24 at IU.
The theme this year focuses around Best Buddies’ mission, according to a press release from July 13: “All for Best Buddies.”
“’All for Best Buddies’ comes from the desire to unify all the Best Buddies programs, like one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development, and to also highlight the dedication and commitment of the participants in our programs,” Pendas said.
David Quilleon, one of the vice presidents of Best Buddies and the person who runs the upcoming leadership conference, said the theme is “a testament to the passion and commitment our leaders make to furthering our mission every day.”
The majority of the 2,200 participants in this year’s leadership conference will be student leaders, volunteers and staff from Best Buddy International’s various programs.
Participants will take part in educational sessions delivered by global leaders in the disability rights movement, have the chance to watch several performances, listen to testimonies and participate in a Friendship Walk Saturday, July 23.
Opening ceremonies for the conference will take place in the IU Auditorium starting at 8 p.m. July 22, and will include remarks by Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International Anthony Shriver and global ambassadors to the organization Lauren Potter and Jamie Brewer.
Other speakers throughout the weekend’s events will include friendship expert Shasta Nelson, executive producer Jonathan Murray and ESPN Hall of Fame-er Canaan Sandy. Performers will include pianist Brittany Maier, singer and pianist Marlana VanHoose and interpretive sign language artist Lisa Smith.
“We included speakers and performers who have worked with or impacted the IDD community,” Pendas said. “For example, Jonathan Murray is the executive producer of the A&E show “Born this Way,” which chronicles the lives of seven people with Down syndrome in Southern California.”
She also mentioned speaker Kate Meade was the first woman with Down syndrome who was featured in a beauty campaign.
“All these individuals have made great contributions to the IDD community,” Pendas said.
Closing ceremonies for the conference will take place again at the IU Auditorium Sunday, July 24.
Pendas said the organization is important for its ability to draw in volunteers who work endlessly to work one-on-one with their buddies, find their buddies jobs and end social isolation of those with disabilities.
“The incredible people in our programs do it all for Best Buddies,” she said. “They do it all for the buddies.”
