I was recently invited by the leadership team of Best Buddies International to share ideas for collaboration and to highlight the inclusive initiatives happening in Key Biscayne.
Hearing firsthand how these programs transform lives and strengthen communities was truly inspiring.
Best Buddies is more than an organization, it’s a movement that connects people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through meaningful friendships, transforming schools, workplaces and communities.
Across Miami, and now in Key Biscayne, students and adults will have the chance to break down barriers, build confidence, and create a more inclusive environment where everyone belongs.
This movement inspired the “It Takes a Village” initiative in Key Biscayne four years ago, which created Social Saturdays in collaboration with the Key Companion Group, a high school initiative founded by Tinito Peña to offer meaningful social connections for young adults at the Community Center, fostering inclusion, friendship and fun.
The Best Buddies School Friendship Program connects students of all ages in one-to-one friendships, helping them grow socially, emotionally and as leaders. Across 44 active chapters in Miami with more than 1,600 members, students participate in events, dances, advocacy initiatives, leadership workshops, service projects and group outings.
The movement continues beyond school through the Citizens Program, pairing adults 18 and older, with and without IDD, in one-to-one friendships and community activities. Leadership development empowers participants to advocate, speak publicly and lead change in their communities.
“Our movement is built on the belief that everyone deserves to belong,” Best Buddies CEO Anthony Kennedy Shriver said. “Together, we break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and prove that inclusion is unstoppable. This is not just about one group or individuals, it transforms communities by cultivating cultures of acceptance, empathy, and collaboration. True social transformation begins when individuals develop confidence, empathy, and leadership.”
Join the Best Buddies Leadership Development Training in Key Biscayne:
• When: Sunday, October 26, 2025
• Time: 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
• Where: Key Biscayne Community Center, 10 Village Green Way, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
• Who: High school and college students, young adults, with or without disabilities; volunteers, community center staff, professionals, parents, and anyone willing to join this movement are welcome
• Purpose: Learn and practice inclusive leadership skills
• Program:
· Speech Writing (Beginner): Write a clear, confident speech
· Public Speaking (Advanced): Build confidence and speaking skills
• Register: Online at bestbuddies.org or by emailing rperez@keybiscayne.fl.gov. Register online by clicking here.
Best Buddies is more than an organization. It is a movement that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and proves that inclusion, empathy, and genuine human connection can change how we see disability one friendship at a time.
Bergonzi co-founded, along with Barbara Diaz and Laura Zapata, It Takes a Village Foundation, Key Biscayne, which is dedicated to raising awareness, creating opportunities, and empowering individuals with special needs in the community. She is also Chair of the Village of Key Biscayne’s Disabilities Advisory Board.