Best Buddies FAQ

Who is eligible to join?
If you are a Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s, or Holy Cross College student who is willing to commit your time to developing a friendship with a person with a developmental disability, you are eligible for Best Buddies!  Your commitment to your buddy will involve approximately 4 hours in activities and 2 hours in phone calls per month.  For more information, please contact Nick Duda (nduda@nd.edu), Patrick Noble (pnoble@nd.edu) or Nichole Maguire(nmaguire@logancenter.org).

What does Best Buddies do?
Best Buddies is an international organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of people with developmental disabilities by providing opportunities for one on one friendships and integrated employment.  The ND/SMC chapter of Best Buddies prusues this mission by matching up people from the community with developmental disabilities and college students in one-on-one friendships.  These friendships provide support and meaning for both the community and college buddies.  They open up opportunities for growth and experiences that both the community and college buddies would normally never encounter.

Who can I contact?
If you are a Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s or Holy Cross College student, you can contact one of the club officers or the club advisor, Marissa Runkle (mrunkle@nd.edu). If you are a person from the local community seeking to be involved in Best Buddies, you can contact the Host Site Coordinator, Nichole Maguire (nmaguire@logancenter.org; (574) 289-4831, ext 1043).

Is there a waiting list?
Unfortunately, there is a waiting list for community buddies seeking to join Best Buddies.  Our club size is limited by the number of college buddies that join, as well as our ability to fund and support the club.  If we are unable to match you with a buddy, please be patient with us!