Potomac Community Resources and the Connelly School of the Holy Child

The Connelly School of the Holy Child and Potomac Community Resources (PCR) have been long-standing partners. Together, we welcome community members with developmental differences to special events such as a Halloween Party, a Holiday Party, a Beach Party, and a Girls’ Night. These events provide a space for socializing, dressing up, making crafts, dancing, singing, and celebrating holidays for both PCR members and Holy Child students. They foster inclusion within the community and offer Holy Child students the opportunity to enjoy the company of PCR members.

Most recently, our Best Buddies hosted the annual Best Buddies Holiday Party, with over 350 PCR members and 35 students attending for a seated dinner, caroling, and dancing. Prior to the Holiday Party, we held a Halloween Party with PCR, featuring over 50 student volunteers and 425 PCR members. Our Middle School students contributed by packing over 200 candy bags for the event. The Halloween celebration marked an energetic kickoff to the Best Buddies Party Season.

Anna Sullivan, the Associate Director of Mission and Christian Service at Holy Child and Best Buddies moderator, commented on her role in supporting the Holy Child Best Buddies and PCR programs: “As both a moderator of the Best Buddies Club and a mother at Holy Child, the Halloween Party holds a special place in my heart. Each year, I enjoy dressing up in costume with my daughter, Mary Sullivan '27, and celebrating Halloween with the PCR community. This year, we dressed up as two peas in a pod, danced, laughed, and enjoyed the fellowship of the PCR and Holy Child communities.”

Over the last two years the leadership in our Best Buddies Club has increased. Currently, we have eight students, six seniors and two juniors, in leadership roles in our Best Buddies Program this year. Sophia Giakoumatos '25, co-president of Best Buddies, shared her journey:
“When I first joined the Holy Child community, I was introduced to the Best Buddies program by upperclassmen who were extremely passionate about supporting individuals with developmental differences and growing the club. Now, as president alongside Molly, and with the encouragement of those senior leaders who inspired us to take on this role, we’ve seen the club’s growth firsthand, with over 300 PCR members attending our events. It has truly been an honor to connect with so many amazing and unique individuals through the Best Buddies program at Holy Child, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served on the board during my years in upper school.”

Her co-president, Molly Tyson '25, echoed these sentiments:
“When I came to Holy Child my freshman year, I immediately felt compelled to join Best Buddies, a program that works closely with teens and adults with developmental differences. Not only is Best Buddies an amazing way to give back to the community, but it also fosters long-lasting relationships between volunteers and members. As one of the presidents of Best Buddies this year, along with my co-president Sophia, we have been given the amazing opportunity to make an even bigger difference and to play a larger role in the club’s success. Whether at the Halloween Party or at our most recent Holiday Party, which had over 300 members in attendance, we have been inspired to give back. Sophia and I are both so grateful that we have been given this unique opportunity to watch Best Buddies grow, and to have a positive impact on our community. We are forever thankful for everything that the club has done so far, and are so excited for what is to come.”

The increasing number of leaders has allowed us to double the size of the Best Buddies Club along with increasing the number of PCR members attending our parties. Our program continues to grow and thrive, and we feel very grateful to Potomac Community Resources for partnering with us in such a meaningful and impactful way.