“When you create a quality friendship and you see someone’s life impacted by it, you know that’s the reason why you’re doing it,” said the president of the student organization Best Buddies. “You can just tell it’s something that is memorable and impactful to them, it’s an incredible experience.”

Best Buddies is designed to create lifelong friendships and memories with with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community. Best Buddies is based on the idea of inclusion, Koskinen said, and that each person needs a friend and deserves the same opportunities as everybody else.

Buddies are matched with CMU students from a test based on personality and interests. Matches are revealed at annual match parties, similar to a Big and Little reveal, Koskinen said.

Students are allowed to participate in any kind of activity they would like with their buddy, including going to the movies or out to dinner. At the end of the year each year, there is a party at Wayside.

Food and drinks are donated, a DJ is provided, and buddies are able to dance and celebrate the end of the year with the students.

After being with her buddy Suzie for four years, Koskinen has been extremely grateful for the opportunities that Best Buddies has given her.

“You see someone flourish and thrive in his or her element,” she said. “Best Buddies fosters a relationship that last a lifetime.”

Adults with disabilities struggle with creating friendships and they have unequal and unfair opportunities, Koskinen said.

“For every three friends a person with a disability has on social media, we have 125,” she said. “We want to make it more equal for everyone.”

Essentially, the goal for Best Buddies is to be put out of business. Seeing everybody as equals is the main focus. People have become uncomfortable with others that have disabilities, Koskinen said.

“The vision is to put Best Buddies out of business,” she said. “Inclusion is huge. People being people, we need to see them that way.”

For Buddy Director Blake Long, working with people is his favorite part. Being able to teach others about inclusion and people with disabilities has given him many learning opportunities.

“I have been in Best Buddies for seven years,” Long said. “I get to work on relationships with people. Being a part of the executive board makes me feel like I have more purpose."

Long is hoping to see Best Buddies grow across the globe. Being more aware of inclusion can teach others about equality and acceptance of those with disabilities.

“I think that Best Buddies could be in every country,” he said. “We are already in every state and 50 countries.”

Seeing her buddy and building connections is what Vice President, Membership Coordinator and Ionia junior Autumn Luginbuhl likes the most.

“I think Best Buddies bring a lot of joy,” she said. “I feel happiness being able to see and work with my buddy.”

Committing to Best Buddies is not like committing to another RSO, Luginbuhl said. Creating one-on-one friendships is something she said is unique to the group.

“What I love about Best Buddies is that you’re not making a commitment to an RSO, you’re making a commitment to a person,” she said. “I enjoy watching everyone’s friendship start and see where they go.”