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Lafayette’s chapter of Best Buddies was named Outstanding Chapter of the Year at the Best Buddies Ball held at DeSales University April 21. This semester’s coordinator Steven Roe ’08 (Lackawaxen, Pa.) was on hand to accept the award.
“Receiving the chapter award was extremely exciting, as my buddy Boyce asked me a few times during the awards presentation whether our names were going to be called,” says Roe. “I reassured him that it did not matter whether we won an award, just as long as we were having a good time. This award, the last to be given out, brought such a great feeling. Lora Russo, the director in charge of the 16 schools in the area, spoke the most about this award. She explained how ‘at this chapter, the friendships are so different, so true,’ and then she announced Lafayette College. I jumped up, with Boyce not far behind me. Overall, receiving this award was incredible, just showing how great friendships can form through the Best Buddies program.”
Operated through the Landis Community Outreach Center, Lafayette’s Best Buddies chapter has garnered accolades in the past. Last year’s director Nate Parker ’08(Milford, N.H.), a biology major, was named Outstanding College Buddy Director of the Year.
“We’re very proud of the work being done through our Best Buddies program,” says Amber Zuber, assistant director of the Landis Center. “Nate Parker and Steve Roe have done a great job developing and sustaining this program, especially considering that the number of students interested in participating in the program outweighs the number of eligible buddies in the area. The success of this program demonstrates the willingness of our students to create inclusive communities where the contributions of all members of society are valued and appreciated.”
Roe, a Marquis Scholar and mechanical engineering major, has volunteered with Best Buddies since his sophomore year. He took over director duties from Parker, who studied abroad this semester in Madrid, Spain. Roe also began spending time with Parker’s former buddy Boyce after his original buddy had to drop the program for medical reasons.
“To see the smile on my buddy’s face when I pick him up and go out with him is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world,” says Roe. “Then I’ll find out from my buddy’s mother that he’s been talking about hanging out with me all week and how he is so excited for the next time we’re going to hang out; this is very fulfilling and just makes me feel so appreciated. The best times, though, are when we go to dances and I am completely unable to keep up with my buddy, as he is moving and grooving on the dance floor with all the ladies. Then there’s me, awkward in the corner, with my buddy waving me over trying to get me on the floor dancing with him. This situation always puts a smile on my face.”
Roe is especially proud that the chapter has volunteers from a wide variety of majors, most of whom do not get any career “training” from their participation.
“I feel the chapter here is very different from any others in the area, possibly unique within all of Best Buddies,” he says. “The difference with the program at Lafayette comes in the commitment and friendships which are formed. I know that almost a third of the people involved with the program are engineering majors. We have economics and business majors, government and law majors, etc. Many other schools have a lot of their volunteers coming from special needs majors or even education majors of some sort, but none of the people involved with the program here at Lafayette really have any relation to Best Buddies in their career choice. This, to me, shows that people really care and have either had a history with the program or truly just see how great the program is.”
Best Buddies is an international, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. The college student and buddy are required to meet twice a month in addition to attending monthly group activities.
For more information on Best Buddies, contact Roe.