Mehak Ahluwalia first joined the Best Buddies chapter at Brampton Centennial Secondary School in Grade 10 after hearing about the program from a friend. Drawn to the opportunity to connect with others and develop new relationships, she knew the program would be a good fit for her.
“I’ve always liked working with people,” she says. “I’ve always been part of a team. So when I heard Best Buddies gives opportunities to work with other students and help them feel more included, I wanted to join right away.”
When she was introduced to Jayden Gordon, a student in Brampton Centennial’s RISE program, she noticed he was very quiet, smiling but not talking much. “If I tried to ask him questions, he would answer with a nod instead of words, and he was usually on his iPad playing games,” Mehak says. “But over the last three years, I feel like he’s overcome that. He’s been able to open up with me.”
Their friendship grew slowly, steadily, and meaningfully. They connected through playing games like Uno and Trouble. Jayden also began to open up, telling Mehak about his favourite music artists and his dreams for the future. “Playing games with Mehak,” Jayden says when asked what his favourite part of Best Buddies is. “She helps me a lot – at school, with art, and she cares for me.”
Their shared memories extend beyond the classroom walls, from bowling trips to playing in the gym. Jayden loves sports, so they spend hours playing Just Dance, basketball, or volleyball. They even stay in touch through social media.
Brampton Centennial’s chapter strives to involve the greater community through school-wide activities like pizza sales, events in the gym, and movie nights, and Mehak has seen the ripple effects. She notices that even quieter students, like Jayden, feel encouraged and comfortable enough to open up to their peers. “The program creates these unique opportunities different from regular class time where students can be themselves, connect with new people, and grow,” she explains. “It’s inclusive for the whole school, not just those in the program.”
While Best Buddies has significantly impacted the Brampton Centennial community, it’s made an even deeper mark on Mehak and Jayden. For Mehak, her friendship with Jayden has helped her grow personally. “At first, Jayden didn’t talk much, so I had to give him time. I didn’t try to force a friendship or rush things. I just waited, and little by little, he opened up,” she says. “I’ve learned not to judge or expect things right away. I think I’ve become a better person – more understanding, more adaptable.”
Jayden, for his part, has made strides in his communication with Mehak and truly appreciates the deep bond they share. “She’s fun and funny. She helps me with art and writing,” he says. “I grew up in Best Buddies.”
Growth, trust, and friendship are at the heart of Mehak and Jayden’s story. Through Best Buddies, they have not only enriched each other’s lives and grown as individuals, they have also spread inclusion through their school community. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of friendship and inclusion.