The Best Buddies program has made its way to NIU’s campus. Based out of Miami, and reaching to the far corners of the world, this organization pairs college students in one-on-one friendships with mentally handicapped adults. Best Buddies was founded in 1987 by Georgetown University student Anthony Shriver. The non-profit organization now includes more than 280 chapters across the United States, with chapters in Greece, Egypt and other international locations.

The program is divided into five friendship categories: Best Buddies middle schools, Best Buddies high schools, Best Buddies colleges, Best Buddies citizens and e-Buddies. E-Buddies is a separate program that involves participants who agree to e-mail each other at least once a week for one year.

In the college program, each chapter is managed by a student volunteer along with a support team. It is comprised of members of the school’s administration, mental retardation professionals and a group of officers made up of students within the chapter.

Christina Manow, NIU’s chapter president, is working on developing a team of students to be involved with the Best Buddies program.

The organization will hold its first informational meeting at 8 p.m. Sept. 11 in the Holmes Student Center’s Heritage Room. < br>

Manow stressed that students with all types of majors are welcome to become involved in the program. The organization is seeking full-time NIU students who can commit one year to their Buddy. Manow also said that they are looking for students to serve as chapter officers and someone to help with and maintain an informational Web site.

At the meeting, students will receive applications and within one week they will be given more information and possibly be paired with a Buddy. The NIU chapter works with its host agency, Opportunity House, Inc. Fred Kraiss, program manager at Opportunity House, hopes the new program will have a positive influence in the community, as well as help bring people together.

“We are looking to pair young adults between the ages of 18 to 21 with mild or moderate disabilities to college-aged students,” Kraiss said. “We already have individuals who have expressed an interest.”

After students are paired with a buddy, they are expected to keep in weekly contact with the buddy. They meet with them and attend a group outing with the Best Buddies chapter once a month.