Volunteer Club

Volunteer Club members are the lifeblood of most of the Friendship Circle programs and activities. Through this program, teens are paired with Special Friends, forming unique bonds that benefit the child with special needs, his parents and siblings, and the teenage volunteer.
While our volunteers help others, they also develop important skills and experiences that will benefit them throughout their lives. And they have a lot of fun too! Plenty of social outings and activities acknowledge their kindness and altruism. In 1995, the Club began with eight members. Today, more than 300 dedicated 12 to 18 year-olds participate in this wonderful enterprise.

Friends at Home

Through the extremely popular Friends at Home program, teen volunteers give parents much-needed breaks by spending an hour or two a week visiting and playing with their Special Friends. The children eagerly anticipate the visits with their teen friends and enjoy activities such as baking cookies, art projects, reading, playing outside, and just being together, while parents take some well-deserved time for themselves.

Children's Circle

Each Sunday throughout the school year, more than 60 teenage friends and Special Friends spend two-and-a-half wonderful hours together. Under the guidance of a skilled therapist, they make arts and crafts projects, swim, tell stories, sing, learn to ride bikes, and even participate in a yoga class.

Winter Camp

The December break from school is transformed from a disruption in the normal routine to a wonderful opportunity to enhance the lives of Special Friends. The four-day day camp program features fun-filled activities such as tobogganing, horseback riding, swimming, music, and arts and crafts.

Summer Camp

In the summer, the Friendship Circle joins forces with Camp Taanuga and the Bear Hug Foundation to provide Special Friends with a three-day getaway experience where they can enjoy swimming, water sports and a ton of other fun activities. A volunteer friend accompanies each child to camp.

Sports Program

In this weekly hour-long drop-off program, boys with special needs are paired with a teenage volunteer "coach" who helps them master the necessary skills involved in playing soccer, basketball, volleyball, hockey, and other sports. Most importantly, this program builds self-esteem by giving boys with special needs the opportunity to "hang out with the guys at the gym."

Volunteer Retreat

Our teenage volunteers work hard helping their Special Friends. Several times a year, their dedication is rewarded with participation in overnight trips during which they can relax, have fun, and express themselves with fellow volunteers.

Holiday Programs

Annual holiday programs help make Jewish life come alive and feature games, entertainment, food, music, dancing, storytelling, and other activities. Fun and educational programs are organized for Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, and Passover. Plenty of teenage friends attend each event to ensure that their Special Friends have a fantastic time.