Best Buddies: Eugene Citizens
Best Buddies: Eugene Citizens is a community that aims to create friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Citizens members can be matched in a one-to-one friendship pair and attend monthly meetings to make new friends. Buddy Matches are encouraged to socialize at chapter meetings and out in the community. Bring your questions, meet others who care about inclusion and find out how you can get involved with Best Buddies. Chapter meetings will take place in the Kalapuya Community Room.
Registration required.
Program Goals:
-
Educate: To build awareness about inclusion, disabilities and Best Buddies' Mission among chapter members and the Y community.
-
Engage: To create an inclusive Y community which provides opportunities for adults with and without disabilities to develop meaningful friendships.
- Empower: To foster leadership skills in participants and help them become advocates for themselves and others.
Who is this program for and who can participate?
The Eugene Citizens chapter is open to adults ages 21 and older who are interested in building an inclusive community and forming meaningful connections. Individuals both with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are warmly welcomed to participate.
You do not need to commit to being an active chapter member in order to attend chapter meetings or learn more about the group. We expect that the first three sessions this spring will function much like our info night—an opportunity for individuals to ask questions, get to know the program, and explore whether they’d like to join. We do still ask that all attendees submit the Best Buddies volunteer application, even if they are not yet ready to fully commit to the chapter.
Please note that buddy matching will likely not begin until fall 2026. Because the matching process is intentional and relationship‑driven, it takes time to carefully pair individuals based on compatibility, shared interests, and personality fit.
To join the Eugene Citizens chapter or participate in chapter meetings, participants must register through the Eugene Family YMCA and complete the volunteer application through the Best Buddies International portal. This dual process ensures that all participants are properly background‑checked and vetted by both organizations, creating a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
Registration through the Y is required for each chapter meeting, while the Best Buddies volunteer application only needs to be completed once.
For more information or any additional questions, please contact:
Kendall McCauley, Program & Operations Assistant.
kendall.mccauley@eugeneymca.org
We look forward to connecting with you!
Registration opens Monday, Mar. 2, at 8:30 a.m. Chapter meeting dates:
| Date | Time | Activity | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., Apr. 15 | 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Board Game Night! | REGISTER |
| Wed., May 13 | 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Get Ready for Friendship Walk! | REGISTER |
| Wed., Jun. 10 | 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Summer Scrapbook Night! | REGISTER |
About Best Buddies
Mission
"Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)."
Who Best Buddies Serves
"Best Buddies serves individuals with IDD and their families. The IDD community includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, and other undiagnosed disabilities."
Best Buddies Programs
"Best Buddies is the largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people worldwide with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower people with IDD to form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure jobs, improve communication and advocacy skills, and live independently, while also offering support for their families."
