Best Buddies Family Support offers families the support and resources needed to navigate the journey of raising a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Eunie’s Buddies serves as the pioneering program within the Family Support initiative. It is named affectionately in honor of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of Special Olympics and a true hero who advocated tirelessly for positive change in the lives of individuals with IDD.
Eunie's Buddies pairs experienced parents of a child with an IDD with new parents who are expecting, have just welcomed a baby, or are raising a child up to the age of five years old who has been recently diagnosed with an IDD. This pairing creates a mentor–mentee connection and friendship. Eunie’s Buddies provides a framework offering parents and caregivers encouragement, emotional support, and valuable resources. Participation in Eunie’s Buddies helps families pave the way for a child with IDD to have an education, gainful employment, and a fulfilled life.
A mentor is an experienced parent or caregiver of a child with an IDD who offers support, encouragement, knowledge, and a unique perspective to a mentee. They are paired, in-person or virtually, with one mentee at a time to ensure a mutually enriching connection.
Have you recently received an IDD diagnosis for your child? We see you. We’ve been there and we understand you. Amidst the uncertainty of this moment, one thing is for sure: you are not alone. Based on your preference, priorities, needs, and expectations, you can choose to be paired with a local mentor or connect with a mentor virtually.
In-Person:
For those who choose face-to-face interactions
you will initially connect via text and can meet in person whenever you are comfortable and the time feels right.
Please keep in mind that this option is only available in cities where Eunie's Buddies is currently operating.
eMentorship:
For families who prefer virtual connections
sometimes your ideal match may be in a different location. You share similar diagnoses, interests and backgrounds, but happen to live in different cities. A strong bond is still possible! You will be able to connect over the phone, video, text or email. Please note that virtual mentorship could potentially limit the Mentor’s familiarity with local resources. However, you can benefit from connecting with someone with a similar experience who will be there for you!
At Best Buddies we see an IDD diagnosis as an invitation to embrace a new perspective and to discover the beauty of this experience. We know that a diagnosis is not a prognosis, and we are dedicated to helping families and individuals with IDD thrive.
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