Dick Carlisle leads with his heart

In February, Oakland University launched a chapter of Best Buddies, an organization that pairs high school and college students with other young people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Dick Carlisle is working with Best Buddies to establish new chapters in Michigan high schools and colleges and raising funds to establish a state office for the organization.Joining Dick at the OU announcement were donors Steve Joppich and Carol Rosati of Johnson, Rosati, Schultz & Joppich and Mike McDonald from Hubbell Roth and Clark.Dick’s efforts are inspired by the accomplishments of his learning-disabled daughter, Megan, who has benefitted from the support of buddies from the organization.Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In addition to matching young people with their buddies it helps them find employment and develop leadership skills.