Page 6 - MidWeek - April 19, 2023

6 MIDWEEK APRIL 19, 2023
A udrey Ayer, who has Down syndrome, felt like an “outsider and not wanted” until she got involved with Best Buddies in Hawai‘i (BBHI), a non- profit dedicated to inclusion for children and adults with intellectual and developmen-
whose mission is to empower people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friend- ships, secure rewarding jobs, live independently and feel valued by society. Best Bud- dies was founded 34 years ago by chairman and CEO Anthony Kennedy Shriver, who believes friendship is key to building the self-es- teem necessary for a happy and productive life.
uation, Best Buddies helped Hiro get an interview at As- saggio Hawaii, and he has worked full-time ever since.
sadors and public speakers. In all, we impact more than 4,000 individuals with and without disabilities through- out the state.
tal disabilities (IDD).
“I felt sorry for myself ...
I am honored to call Au- drey and Glenn my friends, and I deeply appreciate their efforts to raise awareness about Best Buddies, espe- cially in the aftermath of the pandemic.
BBHI offers several ways to get involved, including volunteering, joining our Ad- visory Board or event com- mittees, and participating in our programs. Businesses can also become program partners.
Best Buddies changed my life. I can be myself,” says Audrey. Now, she has lots of friends, sits on the BBHI Advisory Board and is a state ambassador who speaks about disability rights.
Glenn Hiro, also a state am- bassador and advisory board member, bears witness to the power of friendship. When he first arrived at high school, he stayed quiet, but through Best Buddies, he says, “I came out of my shell.” After grad-
BBHI currently supports 36 School Friendship chap- ters on Oʻahu, Maui, Molo- kaʻi and Lānaʻi, with plans for expansion to Hawai‘i Island and Kaua‘i. We also manage two Citizens (adult friendship) chapters on O‘ahu and Maui and have trained more than 60 state ambas-
To see the mission in ac- tion, join one of our Friend- ship Walks: O‘ahu on April 22, and Maui and Hawai‘i Island on April 29. To learn more visit bestbuddies.org/ hawaii or contact me at karen- glasser@bestbuddies.org.
Best Buddies in Hawai‘i is part of Best Buddies Interna- tional, a global organization
(Left) Sage Mulleitner and many others took part in last year’s Friendship Walk. PHOTO COURTESY KAT WADE
Real ‘Buddies’ To Those With Intellectual Disabilities
By Karen Glasser, state director at Best Buddies International
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