Best Buddies is a service and social organization at Texas A&M. We strive to advocate for inclusion in the community of Bryan/College Station through one-on-one friendships with adults who have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD).
Members:Peer Buddy A Texas A&M student that will potentially be paired in a one-to-one friendship with an adult that has IDD in the Bryan/College Station area. Buddy An adult (18+ years) with IDD in the Bryan/College Station area that is paired with a Texas A&M student to create a one-to-one friendship. Associate Member An A&M student that isn't paired with a buddy, but is encouraged to come to our events. Associate Buddy An adult (18+ years) with IDD in the Bryan/College Station area that isn't paired with an A&M student, but is still encouraged to attend our events and participate in activities. RequirementsRequirements for Peer Buddies: We as an organization do not hold meetings for college students (peer buddies or associate members). Instead, we hold events once or twice a month for the whole organization to be together whether that be a dinner, a holiday party, etc. Otherwise, peer buddies are required to meet with their buddy at least twice a month, and contact their buddy via cell phone or other means of communication four times a month. |
Social Media: Instagram: @aggiebestbuddies Apply:You can apply online by clicking the button below. After the website opens, click on the "membership application" tab and then "college." Be sure to select Texas A&M University, College Station, as the school chapter. While filling out the application, make sure you select the correct type of member you would like to be. Information on the types of members is found on the left-hand side of this page. After you finish filling out the application, it will be under review.
Potential New Peer Buddies: Peer Buddy Applications are currently closed. Please check back in the spring to see when our applications open again. If you would like to apply as a peer buddy, please keep an eye on our Instagram to know when applications are open again, along with more information on what it means to be a peer buddy and how to apply. For now, we will accept your application as an associate member and once you have had an interview with us, we will change your application to peer buddy status. If you are a returning peer buddy and are staying matched with your buddy from the previous year, you do not need to come to the interviews, but please email us your request that you would like to stay with the same buddy. Don't forget that your buddy needs to fill out a new application as well. We look forward to meeting you! Potential New Buddy Members: If you are applying as a buddy, please email us information on who is recommending you to join if you are not a Texas A&M student, along with filling out the application. Most buddies come from what we call "host sites." These can be group homes, or organizations in the community that sponsor adults with IDD. You must be recommended to join by a third party that does not consist of your parents or legal guardians. If you are not a Texas A&M student (Aggie ACHIEVE, PATHS program, TAMU Spectrum LLC, etc), we will reach out to you that we have received your application. Any questions? Email us at [email protected] |