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Ask Emerson

Dear Emerson, I was so excited to volunteer for e-Buddies, but I've been waiting a really long time to be matched with an e-Buddy. I signed up in July and I'm still not matched. What's going on? Signed, Waiting in Wisconsin

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Dear Waiting,

Thanks for signing up for e-Buddies! I'm so sorry you've had to wait to be matched with an e-Buddy.

e-Buddies is in the unique situation of having a waiting list of volunteers. What that means is that we have more people without intellectual disabilities signed up for e-Buddies than people with intellectual disabilities.

While you're waiting for your e-Buddy, I encourage you to find other ways to volunteer on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities in your community. Visit www.bestbuddies.org to see if there is a Best Buddies chapter at your school.

Also, visit the special education department at your high school and tell the students and teachers there about e-Buddies! If you have a friend or family member with intellectual disabilities, help them learn to use the computer, if they don't already know how, and sign them up for e-Buddies, if they're interested.

Finally, don't forget to visit the e-Buddies Online Community!

Thanks for being patient. Your e-Buddies relationship will be well worth the wait!

Signing off,
Emerson