Be My Friend

“be my friend” is essentially a two-way relationship. from one perspective, it offers an individual the opportunity to a new and exciting social relationship through companionship with a registered “buddy” and, from another, it provides a fulfilling service opportunity with an intimate, tangible impact. two of my long-time friends, michael and colin barber, both have autism. even during my primary school years, i found it difficult to grapple with the reality that two of the kindest and most genuine people i knew were being neglected and even bullied by their peers. looking back at our more than eight years together, it was the simple moments we shared—playing video games or kicking a ball around—when i truly saw and felt their joy. students all across canada need mandatory service hours to graduate, and i feel that they are being wasted in a pursuit to check off boxes. by collaborating with the bc ministry of education, i hope to explore how “be my friend” can be integrated into th