By Maren Layton
A number of individuals aspire to go to BYU their whole lives, but for some, the reality of a BYU experience comes in an unexpected way.
Best Buddies, a Jacobsen Center Community Service program at BYU, matches student volunteers with mentally and physically handicapped youth and adults from around the community to give them the BYU experience they dream of.
'Best Buddy volunteers not only have a profound impact on the buddies they interact with, but nearly all volunteers are also profoundly enriched by their buddies,' said Jared Pearson, student service coordinator for the Jacobsen Center. 'They come away with a greater sense of gratitude, love, compassion and desire to continue in more Christ-like service.'
Pearson said he is reluctant now to label and treat others as mentally or physically challenged because he knows there is so much he can learn from them.
'We look at people who are mentally or physically challenged and feel bad or sad for them,' Pearson said. 'If we have that locked in prejudice that we''re ''helping them out,'' we miss out on the things they can help us with.'
Pearson said he finds it refreshing that the buddies don''t seem to worry about petty things that trouble others. The buddies find joy and happiness in simple things - something that can be an example to us all, he said.
Volunteers and buddies attend activities together, and the volunteer serves as a mentor and friend. The focus of Best Buddies is one-to-one friendships, so the volunteers try to cater activities to the interests of each buddy, Pearson said.
Michael Sorensen, a student volunteer from Woodinville, Wash., helped his buddy, Mark, work on Star Wars slideshow presentations Mark was interested in. Pearson said it was neat to see Mark take fire because he felt Sorensen had really taken an interest in him.
Other activities range from getting together and eating pizza or playing games to participating in chapter activities four to six times a year.
The student volunteers are asked to participate in twice-monthly activities with their buddy as well as contact them by phone once a week for the duration of the academic year.
Pearson said the program is only as good as the desire and the input of its volunteers.
'When you put time and genuine care into finding out what that person likes and really taking an interest in them, not only does that person grow and find joy, but you find that you yourself will also have that joy,' Pearson said.
This can also be a disadvantage, Pearson said. If volunteers don''t take time to get to know their buddies, the program does not fulfill what it is meant to.
Because buddies will be very excited to have a friend come into their lives, volunteers should be able to commit to the program for a full academic year.
Stephen Benson, Jacobsen Center community service assistant, is involved with matching students with a compatible service program.
When a student comes into the center, Benson asks them questions about what area of service they are interested in (such as children, youth, adults, elderly, disabled or low-income). Information about previous service, time availability, commitment level and special skills also help the decision process.
Students can also serve in a program similar to their field of study, Benson said.
'These are service-learning programs, so it is real life experience through service in what they''re studying,' he said. 'It can help them determine if they like what they''re going into.'
The Jacobsen Center is accepting applications for fall semester. Those interested should contact the Jacobsen Center directly or email bestbuddies@byu.edu.