FROM THE

Your awesome generosity opens the door for so many kids, teens and young adults with special needs to experience the joy and magic of friendship! Your kindness fills the hearts of our incredible Friendship Circle families with the energy and love that they so need.

also want you to know that the hundreds of teen and young adult volunteers who devote their time to the special needs community are lucky to have your support! The experience changes their lives forever!

We are as motivated as ever to continue along our path of exponential growth, deepening our impact on the lives of our kids, teens and young adults with special needs, and the community at large. We know this is only possible with your partnership and support, and we are deeply grateful for it.

Kids

Young Adults

Volunteers

Rabbi Shlomo Gutnick EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LETTER

May your kindness be repaid many times over with continued blessings for you and all your loved ones!

Friendship Circle hosts weekly programs, seasonal camps and special events tailormade for kids with special needs. At these programs, trained teenage volunteers become a friend and mentor to our special kids offering them the benefits of friends, play dates and activities that every child enjoys.

Our Friendship Circle young adults enjoy a wide range of weekly programs aimed at facilitating socialization with peers and young professional volunteers. FCYA programs give young adults with special needs the opportunity to make friends and hang out outside of the home in a fun, safe and relaxed environment.

WITH MUCH APPRECIATION,

Teens

As our kids with special needs get older, they want to do what all other teens do. Have fun with friends, get out around town and enjoy all that NYC has to offer. FC teen programming does just that, pairing local teenage volunteers and teens with special needs for hours of fun and friendship at an array of weekly and seasonal programs and events.

Parents

Friendship Circle parents have the unique responsibility of raising a child with special needs. The care and support that we provide gives that extra boost that so many parents need. Whether it’s taking some time for themselves while their kids are having a blast at an FC program, or engaging in programs geared just for parents - mom’s night out, spa night, parents on the town (to name a few!)we are here for our parents in every way possible.

Friendship Circle programs are tailormade for local volunteers and kids, teens & young adults with special needs to build meaningful connections and lifelong friendships. The experience is made even more impactful through volunteer education, training and active leadership opportunities. Volunteer socials throughout the year unite and connect our diverse volunteer community. The result is a wholesome life-changing experience, where often, the volunteer receives even more than they give!