Connecting Seniors with caring neighbors.
Barbara’s Buddies matches compassionate volunteers with seniors who need companionship, help with errands, and support staying independent.
Why we’re here.
Why we’re here.
Everyone Deserves a Buddy
As people age, everyday support and regular connection can become harder to find, especially for those living independently. Barbara’s Buddies was created to fill that gap with something simple and human. A trusted buddy who shows up when friends or family cannot.
Through visits, help with errands, and companionship, volunteers help seniors stay connected, supported, and independent while building genuine relationships that grow into lasting friendships.
How it works.
Share a little about yourself
Tell us about your interests, availability, and the ways you’d like to help so we can make a thoughtful match.
Get matched with a senior nearby
We connect you with a senior in your community based on shared interests, comfort level, and location.
Make a meaningful connection
Spend time together through friendly visits, errands, conversations, or rides that make a meaningful difference.
About the founders.
A friendship shaped by family, care, and shared experience.
Barbara’s Buddies was founded by longtime friends Debby Donick Cochran and Karen Appelbaum Gordon, both attorneys with nearly four decades of experience and a shared history of friendship. As they helped care for their aging mothers, both named Barbara, they experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to support loved ones who want to remain independent.
They saw how much a trusted, reliable presence could matter when family and friends are not always available. That experience became the foundation for Barbara’s Buddies—a program built on simple acts of kindness, genuine companionship, and the belief that no one should have to navigate aging alone.
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.