E-Buddies

Category: Business

Best Buddies International is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.

Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies has grown from one chapter on one college campus to a vibrant, international organization. Our programs today reach all 50 of the United States, and Best Buddies has active international programs in Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, the Philippines and Sweden; with additional programs under development in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

e-Buddies is one of the six friendship programs offered by Best Buddies. e-Buddies seeks to build e-mail friendships between children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their peers who do not have intellectual disabilities.

Individuals with intellectual disabilities are matched in one-to-one e-mail friendships with non-disabled volunteers - matches are made based on age, gender, geography, and sharedinterests. Matched participants are asked to exchange e-mails once a week.