Providence, R.I.--Thanks to the efforts of some Providence College students, Mayor David N. Cicilline declared March 5 as "Best Buddies Day" in Providence.

Best Buddies is an international, non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. The mayor's proclamation marked the official start of "Best Buddies Month," which is celebrated nationally every March.

Allison Wallace '11 of Rockville Centre, N.Y., and another chapter member, Heather Pakstis '11 of Duxbury, Mass., contacted Cicilline about the possibility of the proclamation.

"Contacting Mayor Cicilline to declare March 5 'Best Buddies Day' was a way to recognize the amazing work that the organization has been able to accomplish," Wallace said.

Founded by Anthony Kennedy Shriver in 1989, the organization has grown to more than 1,400 middle school, high school, and college chapters, and impacts more than 350,000 individuals.

The PC chapter, which consists of 35 students, is open to all students and includes a commitment of weekly communication and monthly outings with residents from the John E. Fogarty Center in Providence.

"Each month we invite our buddies to join us on campus for a social event," explained Wallace, the chapter's director. "Whether it's our Halloween matching party, Thanksgiving feast, Christmas party, or Karaoke Night in McPhail's, we really strive to enhance the lives of our buddies."

Pakstis, who has been involved with the organization since she was an eighth-grader and who is the chapter's membership coordinator, said being involved with Best Buddies has "been a huge part" of her life.

"I remember one classmate of mine (in high school), who has an intellectual disability, explained to me that she didn't have any friends until Best Buddies came to our school," Pakstis said. "Everyone wants to feel accepted and have friends, and Best Buddies is a program that promotes that."

As director of PC's chapter, Wallace is responsible for selecting and matching her fellow students and buddies; maintaining contact with the program's PC coordinator, advisor, and Best Buddies staff; and filling out the necessary paperwork associated with the program. Most importantly, she said her biggest objective is to ensure that "friendships are being formed" between the students and their buddies.

"As a growing organization on campus, we have worked diligently to ensure that everyone involved in Best Buddies has been able to receive the benefits," Wallace said. "The outcome of these relationships can be life-changing for everybody involved."

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