Best Buddies of western Massachusetts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mass Appeal) - When two people share a strong bond of mutual understanding, respect and love it lays the foundation for an everlasting friendship. Friends are one of life’s greatest gifts, and Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization that is bringing people together.

Best Buddies are dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Kate Crowther, Area Director of Best Buddies of Western Massachusetts explains the event.

Best Buddies have chapters in middle schools, high schools and colleges. We attempt to match people who are developing authentic friendships and integrated into each other's lives. We focus on peer matches. And, then we offer tools, opportunities and support so that those are successful. Then, the ability to show that success and the passion that people have for the mission.

Berkshire Hills Academy is one of the chapters and is located in South Hadley. It is a school for students 18-30 who have a love of music. They use music as a motivator to learn, or to teach the students life skills and independent living skills. Most of the students who are at the school have a wide variety of ability, both beginning and advance. They are phenomenal and more advanced are Elca and Eamon. Both these students are from the Berkshire Hills Music Academy and performed a song titled "No Matter What" in the video.

There is going to be an upcoming exhibition called the 2010 Artistic Abilities Exhibition. It will take place on Thursday, October 28, from 5:30PM-9:00PM at City Stage. The event will feature Live Music by The Primate Fiasco, in performance with Berkshire Hills Music Academy, Visual Artwork, and Culinary Delights, created collaboratively by People With and Without Intellectual Disabilities Working Together.

For more information, visit bestbuddiesmassachusetts.org .

For more information on Berkshire Hills Music Academy, visit berkshirehills.org .