Less than a year after becoming involved with Best Buddies, Wilbraham & Monson Academy's Kate Hoag '19 couldn't resist when the opportunity to become more engaged with the international company presented itself.
Now, as a board member, Kate isn't just a great friend and mentor, but she also helps shape everyone's "buddy" experience.
Best Buddies pairs volunteers with a person with a disabilities in hopes the two will bond and build a healthy relationship. The local Best Buddies chapter meets at the Jewish Community Center in Springfield at a scheduled date once a month, and people meet on their own time as well.
In her role as a board member, Kate helps plan events and activities, and also gives suggestions and direction to her fellow volunteers.
"I'm working with some other peers to make sure they're staying in contact with their buddies outside, or if they're having trouble getting contact information, I'm there to make sure I can help if they have any questions or they need help," Kate said.
"We want the buddies to have someone they can trust and feel like they have a friend and be in contact with."
Kate began volunteering with Best Buddies in the fall of 2015. From the start, she loved it, partly just from being involved but also because she saw how beneficial the program was.
"I love seeing some of the progress some of the buddies make, especially ones who are more shy and reserved, and seeing them come out of their shell and become more involved and become more involved in the activities," she said. "At first, some of the buddies don't talk to you. But if you keep working, you'll see the progress and they look forward to seeing you. You get this feeling like you're making these strong connections and seeing them get stronger and seeing the buddies progress."
Best Buddies was featured in February in "Go Local," a magazine that serves the Western Massachusetts. Kate was interviewed for the story.
"It's exciting Best Buddies is being featured," she said. "We've already gotten some interest since the article has been published. People want to join and get their kids involved."