With the goal of spreading awareness about disabilities throughout Washington state, former chapter president of Diamond Bar High School’s Best Buddies has taken her commitment to the program one step further.

DBHS class of 2015 alumna Molly McCabe—daughter of DBHS math teacher and golf coach Tony McCabe—is part of the Best Buddies Washington volunteer expansion board. She has recently helped Seattle University Best Buddies program become nationally recognized as the Outstanding Expansion Chapter of the year at the Best Buddies Annual Leadership Conference.

Best Buddies is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through one-on-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development.

This year, Seattle University’s Best Buddies chapter was awarded the Outstanding Expansion Chapter of the year for the second time in a row over about 22 competing chapters at the recent national Best Buddies Leadership Conference. This award is given every year to chapters that best exemplify what it means to be a Best Buddies chapter, from great events and successful Buddy pairs to impact on their local community.

There were about 2,500 people at the conference, with 10 to 30 representatives for most states. However, McCabe, who has attended the conference five times before, has been the sole representative for Washington for the past two years. She has attended this conference twice with DBHS’ Best Buddies before graduating, and has continued to attend representing Seattle University.

“I [joined] my freshman year because I wanted to meet new people. I stayed because the club actually changed my life,” McCabe said via Facebook.

McCabe’s involvement with this program since high school has greatly influenced her throughout the years, so much so that she wishes to pursue a career with them in the future. Best Buddies is “simple” with their foundation based on friendship, yet it allows her to bond with those with disabilities.

“I decided to pursue [a career in Best Buddies] because I have been changed by Best Buddies just as much as I have changed others,” McCabe said.

McCabe was influenced by Calvin Carillo, a student with a disability she met in her freshman year of high school. After bonding with Carillo and realizing how many opportunities weren’t available to him, McCabe realized the importance of Best Buddies and became passionate in helping those less fortunate.

“Being friends with him showed me that a lot of people with disabilities don’t get to go to prom, hang out with friends on the weekends or other simple things like that. Being able to be a part of his life while he got to do those things with me was so important,” McCabe said.

Now, as a Washington board member, McCabe is working toward her goal of raising $250,000 to open a Best Buddies state office in Seattle by next year. Being a Washington board member means dedicating her time to spreading awareness— opening new friendship chapters in high schools and colleges and working to build a Best Buddies state office.

She and her college friend Devon Adelman have already started organizing a movement to get a state office and starting the expansion board. She also hopes to expand Washington’s programs to the eastern region of Washington, along with every high school and college in the state. After graduating, McCabe plans to officially work for Best Buddies as a state program manager.

“Don’t join clubs or extracurriculars for the sake of college applications, but rather, do it because you love it. Doing something you are truly passionate about stands out to people and opens the door for amazing opportunities.” McCabe said.