Connecting seniors with caring neighbors.
Barbara’s Buddies’ mission is to reduce social isolation and enhance the well being of older adults by creating meaningful opportunities for connection and purpose. Our goal is to recognize older adults as invaluable contributors, respected for their wisdom, experience, and continued impact, while fostering genuine relationships that help build communities where aging is defined by purpose, vitality, and connection.
Why we’re here.
Why we’re here.
Empowering Purposeful Lives Together
Barbara’s Buddies empowers purposeful lives by thoughtfully matching older adults with volunteers based on shared skills, passions, and life experiences, building communities where aging is defined by connection, vitality, and contribution. By challenging outdated narratives, we recognize older adults not as passive recipients, but as leaders, mentors, and active participants in community life. Every connection is mutual, with both individuals as givers, leading to reduced isolation, stronger emotional well-being, and a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.
How it works.
Share a little about yourself
The first step is to fill out a participant application so we can learn about your interests, skills, and hobbies; availability; and the ways you would like to volunteer.
Get matched with another participant
Barbara’s Buddies’ innovative match—based approach will foster authentic friendships and “shared-interest buddy” relationships.
Make a meaningful connection
Whether individuals connect over languages, art, music, careers, sports, travel, or a learning experience, these relationships help build a sense of purpose and belonging.
Meet the Founders
Barbara’s Buddies was founded by longtime friends Debby Donick Cochran and Karen Appelbaum Gordon, both attorneys. As their own mothers—both named Barbara and now in their late 80s—continued to seek ways to give back, share their talents, and stay connected to their communities, Debby and Karen saw something powerful: aging doesn’t diminish purpose.
Witnessing their mothers’ desire to contribute and stay engaged sparked the idea for Barbara’s Buddies. They envisioned a program that honors the wisdom, creativity, and lived experience older adults carry—and creates meaningful opportunities for them to share it. Their goal is to ensure that every older adult feels valued, purposeful, and connected through relationships built on shared interests and genuine friendship.
Whether you’re interested in volunteering, supporting our programs, or simply learning more, reaching out is the first step. Barbara’s Buddies is built on connection, and every conversation helps strengthen the community we’re creating together.