The Allie Sunshine Project’s Buddy Bench initiative purchases and installs “Buddy Benches” in local school yards. These benches are a nonverbal bridge to friendship for young people who are developing socially and may not have the words to say that they need a friend. The children know that sitting on the bench means that you need a buddy and are encouraged to notice and to reach out if someone needs a friend to play with. The value and gift of inclusion offers much to one’s personal well-being and these benches are our way of fostering this awareness throughout our schools. Our goal is to place a buddy bench in every school yard.
