New initiative creates pathways to employment and connection for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Belmont Village communities.

Belmont Village Senior Living is excited to announce its national employment partnership with Best Buddies International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The two organizations are collaborating to match Best Buddies job program participants with employment positions at Belmont Village Senior Living communities nationwide. This initiative marks Best Buddies’ first official partnership within the senior living industry, expanding opportunities for individuals with IDD to engage in meaningful work and community connection at Belmont Village communities.

Piloted earlier this year, the Belmont Village and Best Buddies Job programs partnership produced its first employment placement at Belmont Village Coral Gables in Miami, FL., welcoming its newest team member in March 2024. Since joining as a bistro attendant, the Best Buddies participant has become a valued member of the dining team, making a strong contribution to the community’s vibrant environment.

“We are proud to partner with Best Buddies to create meaningful employment pathways that reward unique talents, strengthen Belmont Village communities, and enrich the lives of both residents and team members,” said Patricia Will, Founder and CEO of Belmont Village Senior Living. “At Belmont Village, we are deeply committed to expanding inclusivity in all of our communities.”

The Belmont Village and Best Buddies launch in South Florida will soon expand to Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Chicago.

"For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, having a job is life-changing and creates a pathway that provides talented, qualified candidates the ability to secure financial independence and contribute to their communities in a meaningful way," said Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Best Buddies International. "This new partnership with Belmont Village shows what is possible when we come together to create real opportunities for people with IDD. We're incredibly grateful that Belmont Village has made a national commitment to transform its workforce by partnering with Best Buddies Jobs and for leading the way toward a more inclusive society."

About Belmont Village Senior Living

Founded in Houston in 1997, Belmont Village is an integrated developer, owner, and operator of high-quality senior living communities, with more than 5,000 employees and 5,000 units. Its 35 locations across the country and in Mexico City, provide award-winning independent, assisted living and memory care programs. The Company collaborates with UC San Diego, USC, UCLA, and Baptist Health South Florida to innovate its programs for cognitive health and life enrichment. The company is a market leader in major markets including the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago and South Florida. Renowned for distinctive design, high standards of life and safety, and reputation for leading edge, quality programming, Belmont Village has been certified as a Great Place to Work^® since 2018 and has been recognized by U.S News & World Report as Best in Senior Living. www.belmontvillage.com, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram.

About Best Buddies International:

Best Buddies^® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,800 elementary, middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 43 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly 1.5 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or instagram.com/bestbuddies.

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