August 2 (Day 155) e-Buddies

e-Buddies is one of the six programs offered by Best Buddies International. e-Buddies is an e-mail pen pal program that provides opportunities for e-mail friendships between persons with a developmental disability and their peers who do not have a developmental disability.

e-Buddies is a fun and safe way to make a new friend. Each participant is matched in a one-to-one e-mail friendship, and matched pairs are asked to exchange e-mails once a week for at least one year. Matches are made based on similar age, gender, geography (i.e. participants will NOT be matched with someone from the same state), and shared interests.


We fully appreciate the risks involved with online communication. For that reason, we employ a multi-layered approach to minimize risk and ensure the safety of our participants.

e-Buddies is open to anyone with an e-mail address who is 10 years old and up. All participants join via the online application. Participants with a developmental disability can sign up individually, or in groups through a special education class or a support service agency. e-Buddies is ALWAYS free of charge for participants with a developmental disability. Because we are a nonprofit organization, we do charge volunteers ages 18 and over a one-time $50 fee. This fee helps cover the costs of checking references and processing applications. This fee is charged immediately upon completing the application process.

e-Buddies provides individuals with developmental disabilities an opportunity to develop new friendships while acquiring much needed computer skills. For volunteers, e-Buddies is a unique opportunity to change a life and make a friend. The benefits of that are immeasurable.



Get Involved:

Donate to e-Buddies.

Volunteer to be an e-Buddy.

Sign up an applicant with an intellectual or developmental disability.