Buddy Up For Life: Creating Inclusive Programming for Down Syndrome

Beth's journey from retail executive to nonprofit founder illustrates the extraordinary power of addressing a need in your own family and watching it transform the lives of hundreds. When her three-and-a-half-year-old son Will, who has Down syndrome, wanted to learn tennis like his older brother, Beth discovered a profound lack of consistent programming for individuals with developmental disabilities. What began as a weekend clinic has flourished into Buddy Up for Life, a national organization with over 20 chapters serving more than 800 individuals with Down syndrome and engaging approximately 1,800 volunteers. The magic of Buddy Up lies in its one-to-one pairing system, matching each athlete or student with a dedicated volunteer buddy. These relationships often evolve into meaningful friendships that address a critical social gap many individuals with Down syndrome experience – having plenty of acquaintances but lacking deeper connections. The organization's "Connections" program specifically nurtures these relationships through social outings during summer months. From its tennis origins, Buddy Up has expanded to meet diverse needs: circuit training when families wanted fitness options, summer camps when schools were closed, and comprehensive life skills classes covering communication, finance, technology, cooking, and personal safety. This holistic approach serves individuals from age five through adulthood, recognizing that people with Down syndrome benefit from consistent, year-round programming with plenty of repetition and routine. Beth's retail planning background at Express provided a surprisingly relevant foundation for building this nonprofit – from testing programs before scaling, to creating consistent processes, to managing budgets effectively. The organization operates primarily through donations, with their annual gala serving as their largest fundraiser, complemented by grants and community partnerships. Ready to get involved? Visit BuddyUpForLife.org to register as an athlete, volunteer, or donate to support programming that's raising the bar and creating opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to develop skills, build relationships, and thrive. As Beth's son Will demonstrates through his football career and current studies at Vanderbilt University – where there's a Will, there's always a way. Support the show