The Friendship Circle extends a helping hand to families who have children with autism and other special needs and involves them in a full range of Jewish and social experiences. The Circle's unique formula introduces teenage volunteers to the children and through shared experiences both are enriched.
Every member of our community deserves to share the joys of our Jewish experience. Sharing our tradition with children who have special needs is particularly rewarding. The Friendship Circle offers a unique opportunity for teenagers to connect with these children.
The Friendship Circle touches so many in our community:
- The child with special needs looks forward to a weekly visit and the opportunity to play with and learn from their older friends.
- The teenage volunteer learns the value of giving and cherishes the experience of making a difference in a child's life and bringing a smile to his or her face.
- The child's family gets a needed respite and the pleasure of seeing their child become part of the community circle.
Together we are impacting our future by making a difference in the lives of children and teens in our community and helping them form a special bond.
Our Vision
At the heart of all of the Friendship Circle’s programming is the belief that each and every individual can be a productive member of the community and benefit from the social support offered by one’s peers. Friendship, acceptance and a chance to participate in socially accepted bonding opportunities are critical to achieving this type of inclusive society.
The Friendship Circle aims to provide children and teenagers with autism and other special needs and their families with many of the social and recreational opportunities that are currently available to the general community. These experiences are essential building blocks for an individual to acquire confidence and self esteem and to ultimately lead a productive, normative adult lifestyle.
We envision a world in which people with special needs and their families experience acceptance, inclusion and friendship as contributing members of society. We foresee a future where they never again have to suffer the social isolation that has often been so prevalent in society.
The Friendship Circle aims to create an environment for teens that will nurture and inspire them with meaning, purpose, and self-value; a sense of connection to and responsibility for the greater Jewish community through innovative and stimulating programs. We see this as essential to developing and producing the members and leaders of tomorrow’s Jewish community.
Together we are impacting our future by making a difference in the lives of children and teens in our community and helping them form a special bond.
