Best Buddies in Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas

Statewide inclusion movement offering a general interest path, established school-chapter friendships, new chapter development, and advisory-board service.

Best Buddies in Arkansas supports inclusion and one-to-one friendship for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Its general Arkansas interest form routes prospective volunteers to a current local fit, while a separate membership application is required to join an established chapter. The current Arkansas friendship directory lists high-school chapters at Bryant High School and Little Rock Central High School, and provides an inquiry path for schools that want to start a chapter. Little Rock is used as the profile city because it has a currently listed chapter; the Arkansas expansion office is administered through Best Buddies International headquarters.

Disability inclusionFriendshipStudentsLeadershipStatewide

Volunteer Planning Details

These details are summarized from the public source page and the verified listing fields. Confirm final rules directly with Best Buddies in Arkansas.

Service Area: Little Rock, Arkansas
Cause: Youth and Student Volunteering
Published Roles: 4 roles
Good Fit Signals: Students

Common Requirements Mentioned

Complete the Arkansas volunteer interest form
Describe your location, interests, and availability accurately
Wait for a local representative to confirm a suitable opportunity
Complete any program-specific membership or onboarding that follows
Use the membership application rather than the general interest form
Confirm that you are eligible for a currently listed chapter
Complete the chapter's matching and onboarding process
Commit to the communication and friendship expectations if matched

Volunteer Roles & Application Paths

Arkansas Volunteer Interest Form

Tell Best Buddies about your interests so a local representative can contact you and identify a current place in the movement.

Schedule:

Placement-based; timing depends on current Arkansas programs and local capacity.

Key Requirements:

Complete the Arkansas volunteer interest form
Describe your location, interests, and availability accurately
Wait for a local representative to confirm a suitable opportunity
Complete any program-specific membership or onboarding that follows

Established Friendship Chapter Member

Apply separately to join a currently established school chapter and, if matched, build a supported one-to-one friendship with a peer with or without an intellectual or developmental disability.

Schedule:

Matches last at least one year, connect at least weekly, and are encouraged to spend time together in person at least twice a month; school matches generally begin with the school year.

Key Requirements:

Use the membership application rather than the general interest form
Confirm that you are eligible for a currently listed chapter
Complete the chapter's matching and onboarding process
Commit to the communication and friendship expectations if matched
Participate with ongoing chapter and staff support

Start a School Chapter

Submit an interest form to bring a student-led Best Buddies friendship chapter to a middle school, high school, or college that does not currently have one.

Schedule:

Development-based; launch timing depends on school approval, the student leadership team, an advisor, and Best Buddies support.

Key Requirements:

Complete the chapter-start interest form
Obtain school approval
Build a student leadership team and identify a faculty advisor with Best Buddies guidance
Complete the chapter-development steps before advertising an active program

Arkansas Advisory Board Inquiry

Ask about joining the volunteer advisory board that works with local staff to raise awareness and funds for Best Buddies in Arkansas.

Schedule:

Leadership and meeting-based; current openings and expectations must be confirmed by email.

Key Requirements:

Email the Arkansas office to express interest
Provide relevant community-leadership experience
Complete the board's consideration or selection process
Confirm meeting, fundraising, and outreach expectations before accepting