'Buddies' offers chance to work with disabled

By Kathleen Grohman

Most people don't think twice before using the escalator at Valley Fair, but a student in a special education class at the Campbell Community Center couldn't bring herself to do it. That is, until she received some reassurance from her friend, sophomore Julianna Flores.

"She was really afraid to go on the escalator, and her teacher asked her if she wanted to go on it with him, and she said 'no.' A couple minutes later I asked her if she wanted to go on it with me. I told her that I'd hold her hand while we went up, and right away she said, 'Yes, I'll go up with you.' She did it twice."

This is just one of the triumphs Flores has experienced while directing the Best Buddies program.

Santa Clara Community Action Program breaks its organizations down into departments named for the type of service they provide. Best Buddies is one such organization in the Health and Disabilities department.

In the Best Buddies program, students volunteer with college-aged people with developmental disorders. Students take SCCAP cars to the Campbell Community Center where about 10 developmentally challenged students take part in a special life skills education program sponsored by the Santa Clara County of Education.

Flores has a 24-year-old sister with Down syndrome, something that helped get her involved with Best Buddies.

"A lot of people are uncomfortable being around people with disabilities, but that barrier has been broken down for me because I have always been exposed to it. It's kind of just been a part of me, so taking on Best Buddies made sense," she said.

Anyone can volunteer for Best Buddies Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., but most volunteers just go once a week.

On Thursdays, volunteers help the group clean a local park. Other times, activities vary.

"Sometimes we go to Safeway and shop for food. Or we'll go to the library. And we also practice conversational skills with them and do normal things you would do with your friends, like card games and bowling," Flores said.

There are currently three volunteers in the program. According to Flores, getting volunteers has been a challenge because the program activities take place during the day when most people have class.

"It's not in everyone's comfort range, but if they're interested at all, just try it once. And if they are totally uncomfortable with it, it's OK not to participate anymore," Flores said.

Other challenges arise when trying to communicate with people that are used to communicating a different way.

"There's a student who's pretty mobile, but she doesn't communicate well. She doesn't really talk as much as she just makes noises. So it's really hard to tell if she's enjoying things. It's hard for me to read what she wants or what she needs from us," she said.

Despite the challenges, Flores has found that Best Buddies makes a significant difference.

"The fact that we are helping them so much is really rewarding," she said. "Their teacher, Elliot, told me that they usually do things with us that they wouldn't do with the rest of the staff members, like using the escalator. Or if they're upset, they'll tell us why they're upset, but they won't tell their teachers."

Freshman Elizabeth Hatch has enjoyed volunteering with Best Buddies and said making friendships is the most rewarding part.

According to the coordinator of the program at the Campbell Community Center, Best Buddies is the students' best part of the year. "They (the students) always ask him, 'When are our friends coming?' " Hatch said.

If you want to get involved with Best Buddies or any other SCCAP program, visit the SCCAP Web site at scu.edu/sccap. Or you can stop by the SCCAP office in the basement of Benson Memorial Center, room 15.

Contact Kathleen Grohman at (408) 551-1918 or kgrohman@scu.edu.