Bo Dowsett, Mequon, and son Peter both are benefitting from the Best Buddies program.

Bo Dowsett’s always been a friend to the volunteer community. But it was the nonprofit Best Buddies program that cemented that relationship. The mission of the international program founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver is to foster "one-to-one friendships and integrated employment" for those with intellectual disabilities.

That resonated with Dowsett, whose son Peter, 15, is a special-needs freshman at Homestead High School. "His main motivation is his regular-needs friends," says the Mequon mother of three.

Plus, she says, the Peters of the world offer unconditional acceptance, particularly crucial in the high school years. "In my heart of hearts, I wanted to encourage those friendships. It’s a wonderful gift to give them, to have a friend who’s a little bit different."

So when she learned about Best Buddies, she helped start the Homestead chapter in spring 2006 and now serves on the state board. "I’m involved with Best Buddies Wisconsin because I just see the need for it, not only in the high school, but to expand it to the workplace."

Dowsett says Peter’s been lucky — he’s had a "regular-needs" best friend for years in Corey Andrus. "They were best buddies before the program started. Not all kids are fortunate to have that."

But many want it, as Dowsett learned as the Homestead program was getting off the ground. "It was just amazing to me to hear the regular-needs kids talking and saying so-and-so is so cool.

"I’ve had a lot of volunteer experience. I think you get to a point where it’s got to be meaningful." It’s got to make a difference, she says. "This really will. Best Buddies will. State by state, we’re changing things."