“I get great joy and a much better attitude about life by being around people who show me not to be afraid of being myself,” said junior Ramiro Avila, discussing his volunteer experiences with the program Best Buddies.

Founded in 1989, the international nonprofit group pairs volunteers with people with intellectual disabilities to establish meaningful friendships that help foster self-esteem and a deeper connection to mainstream society. Inspired by his relationship with an autistic neighbor while growing up, Avila initially became involved with the program as a high school senior in the northern California city of Brentwood. He continued with the program after coming to USC.

Over the last two years, Avila has worked with two different buddies, Manuel Mejia and Edwin Miranda. His affection for both comes through in his warm descriptions of each.

“Manuel is really outgoing, dominated all sports and is definitely a ladies man,” Avila said. “He is a smooth talker and has all the confidence in the world. He always told me to watch and learn.” Edwin, meanwhile, “loves the Lakers, and he also has a girlfriend who never fails to make him blush. He loves to joke around and make fun of me when I goof up,” Avila said.

The 20-year-old volunteer spent several hours a week with each friend, playing and watching sports or just hanging out and talking. He saw significant changes as his year with each progressed – Mejia becoming a more mature athletic competitor and Miranda developing more self-confidence. “Edwin even tried dancing with me one time, which was really fun,” Avila said.

This fall, Avila plans to continue working with Miranda – “maybe this year we’ll get him to try salsa dancing,” he joked – but because the onetime “ladies man” Mejia is now engaged with a baby on the way, Avila hopes to apply for a new buddy.

It’s a heavy load for a business major who, in his spare time, also fosters students at Dorsey High School and volunteers through El Centro Chicano and the Saved by Grace Gospel Choir. But Avila believes his commitment to community work has brought a needed balance to his life.

“Best Buddies and my other organizations make sure that I remember who I am and that I continue to devote myself to helping and caring for others,” he said.

In fact, his Best Buddies experience has given him more than balance; it has given him a life philosophy.

“I don’t want to leave my mark on this Earth by what I accomplish in my career, but rather by the difference that I made in other’s lives,” Avila said.