leslie_scott - Best Buddies

Best Buddies is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting inclusion and friendship for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hillcrest High School has proudly maintained an active and thriving chapter for the past five years.

Our mission is to foster one-to-one friendships between students with and without disabilities, creating meaningful social connections and a more inclusive school community. Through these relationships, students experience increased self-confidence, improved self-esteem, and a greater sense of belonging. Members share interests, participate in activities together, and build lasting friendships that extend beyond the school setting.

The club meets three times a month before school and offers a variety of opportunities for involvement, including field trips, unified sports, leadership roles, and after-school events. Best Buddies at Hillcrest is committed to ensuring that every student feels valued, included, and connected

Our Mission

The mission of Best Buddies at Hillcrest is to foster meaningful one-to-one friendships between students with and without disabilities, creating a school community rooted in inclusion and acceptance. We strive to make Hillcrest an environment where every student feels socially valued, respected, and connected. We believe that social inclusion is essential to the mental and physical well-being of all individuals, and that everyone—regardless of ability—deserves to belong.