Best Buddies, forming valuable friendships

By: Megan Garvey
Posted In: News

After all, this is your organization,” said Bill Lusignan, Program Manager of the State of Rhode Island for Best Buddies.

Salve Regina has the largest Best Buddies Chapter in the state of Rhode Island with 30 Salve students as members and 30 men and women with intellectual disabilities. Salve students are matched with a person with this disability to become their “buddy” and spend time with them.

Best Buddies has events once a month, including a Halloween Dance at the end of October, plans for a Thanksgiving feast in November, and plans for a Christmas Dance in December. The students are also encouraged to spend time with their buddies other than just the once a month meetings.

Cara Dunn, a Biology major and first time member of Best Buddies, plans to bring her buddy to some of her field hockey games. Cara became involved because of a similar club she was a part of in high school.

At the Match Party, Cara met someone names Mark and they became instant friends. The whole night they were talking and getting to know each other. The Match Party, in the Wakehurst Student Center, was an event to start the year in order for the members to meet the buddies and for everyone to get to know each other.

Best Buddies is comprised of an Executive Board of six members including Michael Lewis, the College Buddy Director, Stephanie Gaeta, the Buddy Treasurer, Heather Stankiewicz the Membership Coordinator, Erica Lucey the Activities Coordinator, and Danielle Castonguay the E-Buddies Coordinator. The club also has coordination with the Director of Council for Exceptional Children, Kalyn Walton.