| The Great Mates program is the easiest and most direct way a company can engage with Best Buddies Australia and an individual high school Chapter. It’s about creating a relationship that over time develops and grows. Young people involved in the Best Buddies High School Program create Chapters in their schools and meet on a regular basis. Each Chapter has a President, Treasurer and Secretary as well as Buddies, Volunteers and a Buddy Director (a person with an intellectual disability) to help organise the matches, recruit new buddies and plan events for the year.
High School Chapters that are part of the program are required to hold 4 group events each year. These can be as simple as visiting the gallery, going to the zoo or having a movie night. It’s much nicer to do things in a group and we do this to increase awareness and build mutual support. Best Buddies is happy to provide some training with regards with what to expect and some general rules that should be adopted.
By sponsoring a Chapter, your organisation becomes ‘Great Mates’ with it and its school; getting directly involved with the young people and taking an active role at the events they organise. As a ‘Great Mate,’ you are simply expected to come along to the events and engage with the intellectually disabled as the most important donation is your time and involvement.
If you would like to find out more about the Great Mates Program, please contact Best Buddies Australia. | |
