Best Buddies Living is a residential program for adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities in downtown Nashville. This program helps to promote independence, community, and soft skills. To learn more about what their program entails, please see the frequently asked questions answered below.
Program Information
This residential program is for individuals with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities in apartments in downtown Nashville near Vanderbilt University, which makes it a very walkable area to live in.
For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the program helps to enhance independent living skills, social skills, healthy relationships, money management, etc. through lessons. They will also create goals that will be reviewed every six months. Parents also receive weekly check-ins with updates on how their resident is doing.
They also have the opportunity to be apart of Vanderbilt Best Buddies which can help promote friendships and social skills.
Residents also participate in weekly dinners and group events that help to build socialization, along with a once a month educational event that helps with life skills such as meal prep, money management, etc.
*Other individuals who are not residents can also participate in the group events for $250 a month.
Most residents use the bus system and ride share apps when needing transportation. Residents will use ride share apps with the residential manager when going off-site for community events and dinners.
Residents can also be participants in the Best Buddies Jobs program, where they will help participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities find a job. For more information, go to the Best Buddies Jobs program page.
Best Buddies staff can facilitate finding commitments for residents to do during the day, whether that be getting a job, volunteering in the community, attending a secondary education program, etc.
Residents sign a year long lease but can get out of the lease if needed. They are able to stay in Best Buddies Living until they feel comfortable and have gained the necessary independence skills to move to a more permanent housing option.
It is located in downtown Nashville near Vanderbilt University.
Meals are not included in the residential program, but they do participate in weekly dinners all together along with having trips to the grocery store together each week to get groceries. The residential manager can also help residents with learning how to budget, cook, and meal prep in order to make this an easier transition for them.
There are two townhomes right now with plans to expand further in the next couple years. There is room in each town home for two individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and one individual without intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Best Buddies Living may be a good fit for you if:
You are looking to improve their independence
You are wanting to participate in the community while also socializing with peers
You want to gain independence while living in a supportive environment
You want to live away from home while also having a job, school, or volunteer opportunity in the community
You want to learn life skills that can help you become more independent
To qualify for Best Buddies Living, you have to be:
At least 18 years old
For neurodiverse applicants, you must have a documented intellectual or developmental disability (Neurotypical candidates may also apply to live in this housing)
Have a certain level of independence (hygiene, preparing your own meals, toileting, etc.)
*Residents are required to have a job, volunteer opportunity, day program, vocational training program, college program, etc. that gives them something to do during the day but can receive this after moving in so it is not a requirement to apply.
You can apply on the website at https://forms.bestbuddies.org/4903775
*There is a waitlist at this time, with potential new spots opening in November and hopes to expand into more housing options.
No, there is no fee to apply.
Program fee is $1,550 per month with an added $1,100 for full time support from the residential manager, group meals, and events
There are non-need based financial aid options for Best Buddies Living and 60-70% of residents do have financial aid in the program.
Who can I contact if I have more questions?
If you still have unanswered questions, you can contact by:
Erin Aymerich, Residential Manager- ErinAymerich@bestbuddies.org
Where can I find more information?
You can find more information from their website at https://www.bestbuddies.org/tennessee/living/
Can I take a tour of Best Buddies Living?
Yes, you have the option to attend an in-person or virtual tour.
Do they have social media I can follow to learn more?
Follow Best Buddies Tennessee on Instagram @bestbuddiestn and like them on Facebook at Best Buddies Tennessee!