Best Buddies

Ebenezer Middle School Best Buddies Club

The Ebenezer Middle School Best Buddies Club is a Friendship Club comprised of over 90 students dedicated to championing inclusion for all. The club meets monthly after school for meetings filled with food, fun, and connection. Students actively promote inclusion within the school and broader community by participating in a variety of events, including creating a booth at the local fair, organizing a float for community parades, and hosting informational sessions during Effingham’s Parent University. The club is committed to spreading the power of friendship and fostering a sense of belonging for individuals of all abilities.

Mission

The mission of the Ebenezer Middle School Best Buddies Club is to champion friendship, belonging, and inclusion for all students. As part of the global Best Buddies organization—a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)—our school club embraces the values of acceptance and connection. Through meaningful friendships and inclusive activities, we strive to create a school community where everyone feels seen, valued, and included.

Programs

The Ebenezer Middle School Best Buddies Club offers a variety of student-led programs that promote friendship, belonging, inclusion, and leadership. Our club empowers students to take the lead in planning and organizing activities that build a more connected school and community. Programs include:

• Monthly Meetings – Fun, student-run after-school gatherings with food, games, and inclusive activities that build friendships and community.
   

• Disability Awareness Days – Events designed and led by students to educate peers and promote understanding and acceptance of differences.
   

• Opportunities for Friendship and Connection – Ongoing activities and initiatives that encourage positive peer relationships throughout the school year.
   

• Community Events – Club members take the lead in creating a fair booth, organizing a float for local parades, and participating in other community outreach events.
   

• Parent University Info Sessions – Student-led presentations that promote the message of inclusion and share the mission of Best Buddies with families and the wider community.
   

• Leadership Development – Students take on key leadership roles in the club, learning skills in planning, teamwork, communication, and advocacy as they guide the direction of the club’s impact.

These school-based programs reflect the mission of Best Buddies International, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) around the world.

 Interested in joining? Visit www.bestbuddies.org/join to learn more and become a member.

Advisors

• Ivory Brown