Something I want to do all year with my blog is to promote
different groups and clubs here at UTSC. Most of us are busy with a full course
load and part-time jobs so although we make the intention of getting involved
we might not have the time to go out and research different groups.
Recently, I stumbled upon a group on Facebook with a mission
statement that immediately caught my attention. It is something that I
personally have strong opinions about which means all of you get to hear about
it! Instead of going on a rant about my opinions I decided to ask someone with
first-hand experience to share theirs. This way you won’t have to read another
Moiz rant and you can learn about the program from the views of somebody who
has been through it.
Yesterday, I spoke to Gabriela Osorio about the Best Buddies
Program at UTSC, what she’s experienced and what the program hopes to do in the
future.
Where did you find
out about this opportunity and why did it interest you?
I first heard about it in high school through a friend. She
found out about it through her volunteer work and was looking for someone to
start a chapter with at our school.
What initially interested me was something I hadn't realized
before: that people with intellectual disabilities may feel isolation in their
everyday lives due to the general population's negative stigma associated with
neurological disorders. It seems obvious now, but it was a thought that had
never occurred to me before! The fact that a solution to easing that isolation
is something as simple as being a friend really struck me. I couldn't wait to tell
everyone about the program.
Besides being a
friend, what else is this program about? What does it hope to accomplish?
To me, one of the fundamental missions in participating with
Best Buddies is letting someone know that people other than their family or
caregivers are there for them, support them and want to spend time with them.
It's all about making friends, having fun and learning from each other.
Can anybody be a part
of it? What are the requirements?
Of course! Friendship isn't only for a select group of
people. [Laughs]
The only requirement I can think of is the ability to
maintain a basic commitment to the program and to your new friend. We require
people to treat their new friendship with utmost respect as they would any
relationship, and not just walk away or bail on the friendship because they're
busy. There is flexibility in the friendships as with any, just as long as it
is handled with care.
With all the great
things you’ve previously mentioned, why do you think the program is under the
radar?
It hasn't been promoted enough around campus, most people
haven't heard about it. There is also a negative stigma due to lack of
knowledge about intellectual disabilities and those that have them... people
are scared/hesitant to volunteer to be a friend.
Also, people misunderstand the degree of commitment required
of them and see it a becoming a burden.
What kind of
commitment specifically is required?
We only ask that people attend the monthly group events and
communicate with their buddies via phone or email twice a month and go on
one-on-one or group outings with them occasionally. It totals to an average of five hours a month ... most other volunteer positions require five hours a week!
How can people
participate in the Best Buddies program?
Attend a group event --> get paired up with a new friend
Become an associate member:
1) Aid in the promotion of the program around campus
2) Someone who helps to plan/attend group events, special
events and any fundraisers we may hold.
--Visit our Facebook page
to access a link to sign-up.
--No facebook? contact us as bestbuddiesutsc@gmail.com
Any advice for
somebody who is possibly considering signing up but hesitant to do so?
It's a little greedy to keep your presence all to yourself
when it could have a profound impact on another's life isn't it? [Laughs] What are you waiting for, make
a new friendship! I'm sure that any hesitation is the result of a lack of
information about the program, so feel free to contact me or Luxshi
Amirthalingam for any more information! Both of us are really passionate about
the program and development of the UTSC chapter, so we'd be more than happy to
talk to you about it and how/why you should get involved.
Huge shout out to
Gabriela for putting time aside to do this interview and educating myself and
all our readers about this wonderful program!
Also, if you need advice on anything you can always hit me up
in the comments section below or on twitter. This is something I am very
passionate about as well so I’ll help in any way I possibly can.
Until next week,
Peace and love.
