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One-to-One Friendship Programs

Best Buddies Friendship programs represent one of our organization’s four key mission pillars.  These programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem, and share interests, experiences and activities that many other individuals enjoy.

Join a Chapter
Two participants walking down street together

BESTBUDDIES® Elementary Schools

Builds connections and community between young students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through inclusive activities and social-emotional learning tools that promote one-to-one friendship, acceptance, and interaction at an early age.

Join a chapter
two young best buddies participants with their arms over each others shoulders

BESTBUDDIES® Middle Schools

Fosters one-to-one friendships between middle school students with and without IDD, in which they share interests, experiences, and activities. Students with IDD are often isolated and left out of social activities. Best Buddies Middle Schools helps to create an inclusive middle school culture for all students early on in their educational development.

Join a chapter
two middle school participants smiling

BESTBUDDIES® High Schools

Fosters one-to-one friendships between high school students with and without IDD. In this time of heightened social and emotional development that can be difficult even for teenagers without IDD, the Best Buddies High Schools program helps break through social barriers at an important time in a young person’s life.

Join a chapter
Two female High school students standing back to back and smiling

BESTBUDDIES® Colleges

Fosters one-to-one friendships between college students without IDD and their peers on campus or in the community with IDD. Young adults with IDD historically have been isolated at home or in work environments. The Best Buddies Colleges program is changing this by providing the opportunity for people with IDD to be involved in their local campus and community life.

Join a chapter
two college program participants hugging

BESTBUDDIES® Citizens

Supports the development of friendships between adults with and without IDD in corporate and civic communities. Many people with IDD have limited opportunities for social interactions after they leave the school environment. This program helps people with IDD become part of mainstream society and creates an inclusive and diverse community for all.

Join a program
Two male citizen program members flexing their muscles

e-Buddies ®

e-Buddies provides opportunities for volunteers with and without IDD to develop friendships online and create connections using the power of technology. The program provides the opportunity for members to connect through the e-Buddies social platform, which is designed to expand friendships and create shared experiences through virtual social events. Anyone age 13 and older can participate in e-Buddies. Our program is available throughout the United States and internationally for English-speaking people.

More Info
two ebuddies participants at a computer

How our Friendship programs Work

Matching

A participant with IDD is paired with a person without IDD based on location and shared interest for at least one year of friendship. For school programs, matches typically start at the beginning of the school year.

Meet-ups

Participating in activities and spending quality in-person time together at least twice a month is suggested for buddy pairs of all ages.

Events

Best Buddies Offices and Chapters plan events, host group activities, support friendship matches and are available for onsite support.

Communication

Buddy pairs connect at least once a week by email, phone call, texting, social media or written correspondence.

Email

For e-Buddies, participants communicate via email at least once a week for a year.

Monitoring

Best Buddies staff members maintain regular contact with Friendship program participants to ensure the quality of matched pairs.

Virginia and Washington, D.C. Chapter Listings

Filter by
radius-pinElementary Schools middle-schools-pinMiddle Schoolshigh-schools-pinHigh Schools colleges-pinColleges radius-pin  Citizens program
To join a chapter, click a school name below
Elementary Schools
  • Arlington Traditional School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 1030 North McKinley Road, Arlington, VA, 22205, US, null, null, 38.8788978, -77.146202, null]

  • Ashlawn Elementary School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 5950 8th Rd N, Arlington, VA, 22205, US, null, null, 38.872838, -77.1363373, null]

  • Barrett Elementary School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 4401 N Henderson Rd, Arlington, VA, 22203-2711, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Beech Tree Elementary School (Falls Church, VA)

    API address [ 3401 Beechtree Lane, Falls Church, VA, 22042, US, null, null, 38.85280890000001, -77.18113369999999, null]

  • Bonnie Brae Elementary School (Fairfax, VA)

    API address [ 5420 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, VA, 22032, US, null, null, 38.8034285, -77.3103762, null]

  • Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ Charles Drew Community Center, Arlington, VA, 22206-2461, US, null, null, 38.8485828, -77.0869184, null]

  • Dranesville Elementary School (Herndon, VA)

    API address [ 1515 Powells Tavern Pl, Herndon, VA, 20170, US, null, null, 38.9964354, -77.38716939999999, null]

  • Ferry Farm Elementary School (Fredericksburg, VA)

    API address [ 20 Pendleton Road, Fredericksburg, VA, 22405, US, null, null, 38.2939683, -77.4324565, null]

  • Forest Edge Elementary School (Reston, VA)

    API address [ 1501 Becontree Lane, Reston, VA, 20190, US, null, null, 38.9689357, -77.3295931, null]

  • Rockhill Elementary School (Stafford, VA)

    API address [ 50 Wood Drive, Stafford, VA, 22556, US, null, null, 38.4768093, -77.4787118, null]

  • Varina Elementary School (Henrico, VA)

    API address [ 2551 New Market Road, Henrico, VA, 23231, US, null, null, 37.4445601, -77.3544122, null]

  • Vienna Elementary School (Vienna, VA)

    API address [ 128 Center Street South, Vienna, VA, 22180, US, null, null, 38.9010919, -77.2631447, null]

  • Winterpock Elementary School (Chesterfield, VA)

    API address [ 9000 Elementary Way Loop, Chesterfield, VA, 23832, US, null, null, 37.3794795, -77.71211860000001, null]

Middle Schools
  • George Washington Middle School (Alexandria, VA)

    API address [ 1005 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, 22301-1707, US, null, null, 38.8158603, -77.0554569, null]

  • Glasgow Middle School (Alexandria, VA)

    API address [ 4101 Fairfax Parkway, Alexandria, VA, 22312, US, null, null, 38.8381351, -77.1408068, null]

  • Goochland Middle School (Goochland, VA)

    API address [ 3250-B, Goochland, VA, 23063, US, null, null, 37.7000386, -77.89656819999999, null]

  • Kenmore Middle School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 200 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204-1014, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Longfellow Middle School (Falls Church, VA)

    API address [ 2000 Westmoreland St, Falls Church, VA, 22043-1721, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Marsteller Middle School (Bristow, VA)

    API address [ 14000 Sudley Manor Dr, Bristow, VA, 20136, US, null, null, 38.73858320000001, -77.5803894, null]

  • Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School (Falls Church, VA)

    API address [ 7130 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 22043-2309, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Nandua Middle School (Onley, VA)

    API address [ 20330 Warrior Drive, Onley, VA, 23418, US, null, null, 37.6812951, -75.7257812, null]

  • Rachel Carson Middle School (Herndon, VA)

    API address [ 13618 McLearen Rd, Herndon, VA, 20171-3215, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Rocky Run Middle School (Chantilly, VA)

    API address [ 4400 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA, 20151, US, null, null, 38.8743285, -77.41012909999999, null]

  • Tazewell Middle School (Tazewell, VA)

    API address [ 367 Hope Street, Tazewell, VA, 24651, US, null, null, 37.1284926, -81.4856667, null]

  • Williamsburg Middle School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 3600 N Harrison St, Arlington, VA, 22207-1844, US, null, null, null, null, null]

High Schools
  • Alexandria City High School (Alexandria, VA)

    API address [ 3801 W Braddock Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22302-1904, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria, VA)

    API address [ 201 Cambridge Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22314-4809, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Bishop O'Connell High School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 6600 Little Falls Rd, Arlington, VA, 22213-1211, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Blacksburg High School (Blacksburg, VA)

    API address [ 3401 Bruin Ln, Blacksburg, VA, 24060-1179, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Broad Run High School (Ashburn, VA)

    API address [ 21670 Ashburn Rd, Ashburn, VA, 20147, US, null, null, 39.0228096, -77.49081029999999, null]

  • Centreville High School (Clifton, VA)

    API address [ 6001 Union Mill Rd, Clifton, VA, 20124-1128, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Chantilly High School (Chantilly, VA)

    API address [ 4201 Stringfellow Rd, Chantilly, VA, 20151-2622, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Deep Creek High School (Chesapeake, VA)

    API address [ 2900 Margaret Booker Dr, Chesapeake, VA, 23323-1902, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Deep Run High School (Glen Allen, VA)

    API address [ 4801 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23059, US, null, null, 37.67573, -77.6006909, null]

  • Falls Church High School (Falls Church, VA)

    API address [ 7521 Jaguar Trl, Falls Church, VA, 22042-7511, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Franklin County High School (Rocky Mount, VA)

    API address [ 700 Tanyard Rd, Rocky Mount, VA, 24151, US, null, null, 37.0036596, -79.8784209, null]

  • Gainesville High School (Gainesville, VA)

    API address [ 13150 University Blvd, Gainesville, VA, 20155, US, null, null, 38.7848081, -77.5946951, null]

  • George C. Marshall High School (Falls Church, VA)

    API address [ 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 22043-2405, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Goochland High School (Goochland, VA)

    API address [ 3250-B, Goochland, VA, 23063-3209, US, null, null, 37.7000386, -77.89656819999999, null]

  • HB Woodlawn Secondary School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 4100 Vacation Ln, Arlington, VA, 22207-3935, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Hayfield Secondary School (Alexandria, VA)

    API address [ 7630 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22315-3821, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Hermitage High School (Henrico, VA)

    API address [ 8301 Hungary Spring Road, Henrico, VA 23228, Henrico, VA, 23228, US, null, null, 37.6338151, -77.515362, null]

  • Hickory High School (Chesapeake, VA)

    API address [ 1996 Hawk Blvd, Chesapeake, VA, 23322-2124, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • James Madison High School (Vienna, VA)

    API address [ 2500 James Madison Dr, Vienna, VA, 22181-5536, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • John Champe High School (Aldie, VA)

    API address [ 41535 Sacred Mountain St, Aldie, VA, 20105-5533, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Justice High School (Falls Church, VA)

    API address [ 3301 Peace Valley Ln, Falls Church, VA, 22044-1508, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Kellam High School (Virginia Beach, VA)

    API address [ 2665 W Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA, 23456, US, null, null, 36.7431264, -76.0625792, null]

  • Langley High School (McLean, VA)

    API address [ 6520 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 22101-2222, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Madeira School (McLean, VA)

    API address [ 8328 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 22102-1203, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Manchester High School (Midlothian, VA)

    API address [ 12601 Bailey Bridge Rd, Midlothian, VA, 23112, US, null, null, 37.406568, -77.62359959999999, null]

  • McLean High School (McLean, VA)

    API address [ 1633 Davidson Rd, McLean, VA, 22101-4305, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Meridian High School (Falls Church, VA)

    API address [ 7124 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA, 22043-2309, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Monacan High School (Richmond, VA)

    API address [ 11501 Smoketree Dr, Richmond, VA, 23236-2534, US, null, null, 37.4786601, -77.6141258, null]

  • Oakton High School (Vienna, VA)

    API address [ 2900 Sutton Rd, Vienna, VA, 22181-6109, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Smithfield High School (Smithfield, VA)

    API address [ 14171 Turner Dr, Smithfield, VA, 23430, US, null, null, 36.94462700139016, -76.59873898914024, null]

  • South County High School (Lorton, VA)

    API address [ 8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton, VA, 22079-3015, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • South Lakes High School (Reston, VA)

    API address [ 11400 South Lakes Dr, Reston, VA, 20191-4102, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • The Steward School (Henrico, VA)

    API address [ 11600 Gayton Road, Henrico, VA, 23238, US, null, null, 37.6117485, -77.6228802, null]

  • Thomas A. Edison High School (Alexandria, VA)

    API address [ 5801 Franconia Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22310-2722, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Wakefield High School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 4901 S Chesterfield Rd, Arlington, VA, 22206-1018, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Washington Liberty High School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 1301 N Stafford St, Arlington, VA, 22201-4840, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • West Potomac High School (Alexandria, VA)

    API address [ 6500 Quander Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22307-1008, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Yorktown High School (Arlington, VA)

    API address [ 5200 Yorktown Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22207-1707, US, null, null, null, null, null]

Colleges
  • College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA)

    API address [ 200 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg, VA, 23185-0002, US, null, null, 37.271949, -76.709328, null]

  • George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)

    API address [ 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA, 22030-4422, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA)

    API address [ 800 S Main St, Harrisonburg, VA, 22801-3104, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Roanoke College (Salem, VA)

    API address [ 221 College Ln, Salem, VA, 24153-3747, US, null, null, null, null, null]

  • University of Mary Washington (Fredericksburg, VA)

    API address [ The Link 1301 College Ave, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401-5300, US, null, null, 38.3014232, -77.4725818, null]

  • University of Richmond (Richmond, VA)

    API address [ 28 Westhampton Way, Richmond, VA, 23173-0002, US, null, null, 37.5739212, -77.5428644, null]

  • University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA)

    API address [ 1827 University Ave, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, US, null, null, 38.0370443, -78.5026341, null]

  • Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA)

    API address [ 907 Floyd Avenue, Richmond, VA, 23284-9012, US, null, null, 37.546508, -77.45345999999999, null]

  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Blacksburg, VA)

    API address [ 800 Washington St SW, Blacksburg, VA, 24060, US, null, null, 37.2220013, -80.4217178, null]

Citizens
  • Northern Virginia and DC Citizens (DC and Northern Virginia, VA)

    API address [ null, DC and Northern Virginia, VA, null, null, null, null, null, null, null]

  • Richmond Citizens (Richmond, VA)

    API address [ null, Richmond, VA, null, United States, null, null, null, null, null]

Is your school not listed? Click here for info on how to start a chapter.

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