Watch above: The Best Buddies program pairs University of Saskatchewan students and people with intellectual disabilities. Amber Rockcliffe looks at the program one participant calls one of the most important things in his life.
SASKATOON – One participant calls a program that pairs University of Saskatchewan students with people of all ages with intellectual disabilities one of the most important things in his life. Cody Gusikoski says friendships he has made with over his four-year involvement with Best Buddies has made a big difference in his life.
“It makes me feel awesome, so happy with having friends. My favourite thing is to go to a movie, bowling, stuff like that,” he explained.
“Just to build a friendship to do things like bowling, or coffee, or something just as simple as a walk,” said the program’s co-president, Tanner Armstrong.
Best Buddies held its “Read All About It” event at Saskatoon’s Chapters Indigo bookstore Sunday, hosted by Global Saskatoon’s Lisa Dutton and Kevin Stanfield. The gathering was held to celebrate all the efforts of its volunteers.
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The organization is active in more than 50 countries around the world, but Caroline Ganes with the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living said Saskatoon has one of the biggest chapters.
“We have about 120 people total, between our students and our buddies, and that makes for some pretty big events,” Ganes explained.
“Everybody here is volunteering their time, and I know from the people that we support, it means so much to have a friend to call up – that they hear from on a weekly basis and who they hang out with a couple times a month,” Ganes said.
The organization is currently looking for volunteers. To sign up, visit the Best Buddies website.
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