Buddy Program
Best Buddies believes in the power of one-to-one friendships.
At Furman's chapter, the buddy pairs make plans to hang out an average of once a month and communicate more regularly via phone call, text, or email. The chapter hosts parties roughly every other month where all the pairs convene, play games, and dance!
The Beginnings:
After Christina Sturgeon's freshman year, she desired to start a Best Buddies chapter at Furman to create a community that she was familiar with back home. Her older sister, Elizabeth, has special needs, so, throughout her childhood, Christina grew close to folks who had various intellectual and developmental delays through her sister's network and Special Olympics. Elizabeth has grown substantially through her involvement the past 7 years in Best Buddies chapters in and around Washington, D.C. and is eager to share her experiences with the Furman chapter.
The expansion directors for SC reached out to Christina and said their daughter, Madeline McChesney, was going to be an incoming freshman at Furman and that she would love to help spread the mission! Madeline's brother Max also has special needs but hasn't been exposed to a vibrant, welcoming social community until Best Buddies came along.
A year later, more students have hopped on board and are eager to fulfill their leadership reponsibilities to ensure Best Buddies is a success!
Sign up to be a Community Buddy
Volunteer as a Furman Buddy
For the 2016-17 school year, we're looking to have a chapter of 25 pairs!
Please reach out to furmanbestbuddies@gmail.com to express interest in gaining a Furman friend!
From there, the chapter president will reach out and ask to skype with the potential community buddy to gauge compatibility with a Furman student for an appropriate match.
From there, if a match is successful, you will be sent a link to officially register to be a part of the chatper!
Please note this is a one-to-one friendship commitment that requires a steady means of communication.
Please stop by the Heller office so that we can put you in the volunteer system!
Since there is an application process to be assigned with a buddy, please direct inquiries to furmanbestbuddies@gmail.com.
From there, you will be sent the link to apply!
The buddy matching process will end on Friday, October 7th.
Note that this is a one-to-one friendship program, and, as with any friendship, you will need to make a strong commitment to your buddy.