Peoria-Area Community Impact Guide 2023-2024

BEST BUDDIES IN ILLINOIS Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

7800 N. Sommer Street, Suite 412 Peoria, IL 61604 Phone: (309) 966-4146 Website: www bestbuddies org/illinois Facebook: @bestbuddiesil Twitter: @bestbuddiesil Instagram: @bestbuddiesil LinkedIn: @company/bestbuddiesil

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Adam Wilt, State Director

KEY STAFF Ryan LaCosse, Area Director

Rebecca Impens, Deputy Director of Communications and Stewardship Lanada Cunningham, Program Manager; Community Engagement Justina Jennings, Program Manager; Mission Expansion Heather Bouchez and Matt Medlin, Employment Consultants HOW TO HELP Join us for the Central Illinois Champion of the Year Gala on October 13 at The Warehouse on State Street! If you are interested in competing as a Champion on behalf of our mission of inclusion or sponsoring our biggest night of the year, email Ryan at ryanlacosse@ bestbuddies.org

Marcus Jackson, 2022 Best Buddies Champion of the Year raised over $22,000 for inclusion!

WAREHOUSE ON STATE | 736 SW WASHINGTON ST, PEORIA, IL 61602 10.13.23 Be a Champion for Best Buddies’ mission of inclusion in Central Illinois!

For More Information, please visit bestbuddieschampion.org/centralillinois or email RyanLaCosse@BestBuddies.org

VISION To put Best Buddies out of business Best Buddies envisions a world where people with IDD are so successfully integrated into schools, workplaces, and communities that its current efforts and services will be unnecessary VALUES We strive to help diverse communities blossom and create an equitable environment for all, while celebrating inclusion for people with and without IDD

DID YOU KNOW? Best Buddies was founded at Georgetown University in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver and came to Illinois in 1990 through Illinois State University and was followed shortly by Pekin High School! WHAT WE DO Our programs empower people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy, and communication skills, and feel valued by society

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