Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Best Buddies International in Palm Beach
Legal Name (if Different): Best Buddies International
Also Known As: Best Buddies
Mailing Address: 1655 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.Suite 401
City: West Palm Beach
State: FL
Postal Code: 33401
Main Phone: 561.972.5312 x. 501
Main Fax: 561-557-2109
Organization Website: www.bestbuddies.org/florida
Employer ID Number: 52-1614576
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 3/29/2023
Requested Amount: 10,000.00

Project Title: Best Buddies in Palm Beach Friendship and Leadership Program
Project Description:

Best Buddies Friendship Programs represent one of our organization’s four key mission pillars. These programs build one-to-one friendships between individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence, self-esteem, and share interests, experiences, and activities that many other individuals enjoy. They are also given opportunities to learn leadership skills such as writing and giving speeches, advocacy, teamwork, and so much more!

At each school, a faculty advisor works alongside student leaders to recruit students with and without IDD to join the chapter and be matched. Best Buddies requires that new friends contact each other once per week and that they spend time together at least twice per month. One major key to the success of our project design is the one-year commitment required of all buddy pairs. This continuity allows for meaningful friendships to develop while providing a mutually supportive community for participants.

Goals for this project include:
· Increase opportunities for socialization and inclusion of people with IDD
· Help individuals with and without IDD develop social skills critical to furthering education opportunities and employment options.
· Provide opportunities for leadership development.
· Increase awareness of the abilities of people with IDD in students and community members.
We respectfully request $10,000 to help support our friendship and leadership program at 42 schools throughout Palm Beach. Funding for this project will bring together 1,147 students in 2 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 24 high schools, and 3 colleges with and without IDD in inclusive, positive, and supportive social interactions in our chapters. Our Program Manager will also work to continue expansion into new schools in our community.

Total Project Budget: $104,103

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Florida Department of Education- $136,500 (committed) Fundraising Events- $100,000 (committed)

Project Duration: 7/1/2023-6/30/2024
Geographical Area Served: Palm Beach County, Martin County, St. Lucie County
Age Group To Be Served: 6-22

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mrs.
Contact First Name: Tricia
Contact Last Name: Williams
Contact Title: Area Director, Best Buddies in Palm Beach
Contact Phone: 561.972.5312 x 501
Contact Email: TriciaWilliams@bestbuddies.org