Annual Report 2020-2021

B”H

THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR PARTNERS “It’s only when the earth keeps shifting beneath your feet, the seasons carry you from one extreme to the other, and every day demands a mode of life distinct from the day before — only then can you discover the truth you hold.”

- Wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe

In a year like no other, we are fortunate to have such amazingly committed supporters who believe in the mission of FC. You are the backbone of the community and your investment makes it all possible.

While we experienced challenges and had to come up with creative solutions, you had our backs and we were strengthened by your unwavering encouragement and love.

- Chani & Zev Baram

Co-Founders

WELCOMING NEW FRIENDS 57 New Youth Joined Our Circle!

“Thank you! We are so grateful for this positive experience for our daughters, and we know they will grow with FC for years to come!”

– New FC Family

21 New 6th & 7th Grade MVPers!

“I felt completely comfortable and really enjoyed the experience, everyone made me feel at ease on my first day!”

Way before Zoom became a “thing” we had already discovered the awesome power of connecting virtually. Years back we moved many weeknight programs such as MVP (Mitzvah Volunteer Program) and Teen Leadership Board meetings mostly online to be more accessible to youth from all over.

We wanted to make sure that you could still be a part of FC without sitting in Philly traffic on a school night and that you could meet other kids who may not live in your immediate area. So this year we were able to make a seamless transition to fully virtual MVP and welcomed the newest bunch of 6th and 7th graders to our circle.

“I feel like when you participate in FC, you become part of the family.”

Of course, virtual is not the same not as coming to in person events, so we made sure to have a safe outdoor “meet and greet” to connect in person... the “old fashioned way”...because at FC we always find creative ways to stay connected.

WE MEET FRIENDS RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE We missed seeing all of our friends so much that we stepped up our game and organized packages of fun for our community throughout the year. It was FC’s version of a socially distant hug, especially for our friends for whom joining virtual programs wasn’t a great way to connect. And who better to deliver than our committed adult volunteers and Teen Leadership Board members?

Fall 2020 Summer 2020

Channukah 2020

“Oh my gosh! This was the nicest surprise ever! My son got to work right away on making the challah and tie-dying the challah cover. He’s in the process of creating a thank you email to everyone but I can’t tell you how nice this box was.” - Grateful Mom

“ T h a n k yo u for ever y thing yo u g o t m e. I loved it all! I did it with my f amily .

My m o m g ot u s s o me shir t s to tie dye too. I love d making th e challah!

T h a nk s for thinkin g of me!”

- G r a te f u l

Friend

Mom’s Gift 2020 Purim 2021

Summer 2021

GETTING CREATIVE Raising Funds During A Pandemic Here’s a secret: When we started planning our annual Walk and Gala, we were a little worried.

What if everyone is tired of virtual events?

What if no one shows up?

How will we continue to support all our programming?

Well, much to our delight ...

Oy-yoy-yoy.

hundreds joined us!

Hundreds joined us to kick off a new year and then again to celebrate our honorees - learning how we used our “expertise” in keeping friends connected during this challenging time!

We are blown away by your support.

Thank you to everyone who played a part!

“We are so lucky to be involved with

this amazing organization for about 7

years now. This caring and inclusive community reinforces the positive impact of Jewish values, while also emphasizing important lessons in empathy and kindness. The magic of FC friendships has always filled the physical air of event spaces through laughter and joy and, even during this pandemic, this magic has occurred virtually — because this organization has not missed a beat.”

- Jodi & David Miller

Gala Honorees

“FC plants seeds for friendships all year long! Seeing them bloom at the Move4Friendship event was an exciting day for all of us!”

- The Boroff Family Move4Friendship Co-Chairs

SUPPORT INCLUSIVE FRIENDSHIPS

Matching Gifts Inquire About: • • • •

Endowment & naming opportunities Event sponsorship Donations of stock or security Legacy gifts

Recurring Monthly Donations

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS Revenue Total: $641,705 Amazon Smile: $141.47 ■ Chai Club (monthly): $9,392 Corporate Matches: $14,677 End of Year Donations: $15,766 Gala 2021: $336,135 General Campaign: $48,655 Grant: $138,404 Pushka/Home Charity Boxes: $468 United Way: $303.23 Walk 2020: $77,763

Expenses Total: $628,167 Administrative: $93,594 Development & Fundraising: $36,868 Programming: $497,705

New Grants $20,000 Connelly Foundation Two year grant for general operating expenses & new database

$60,755 Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Maimonides Fund for Health and Human Service Relief For pandemic related family support & virtual programming

Philly Friendship Circle provides organized physical and social structures to support inclusive friendships, connections, respite, and fulfillment for youth with special needs, young adult volunteers, their respective families and the Jewish community at large. Through fun and interactive experiences, these relationships bring a sense of joy and meaning to the Friendship Circle community and beyond.

STAFF: Zev Baram

Shannon Conway

EXECTIVE DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR & EXECUTIVE SUPPORT

Chani Baram CO-FOUNDER

Amanda Thum

Alexa Hinds

OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Leah Staub DATA ASSOCIATE

Samantha Holzer PROGRAM & CURRICULUM COORDINATOR

OUR TEAM OF FRIENDSHIP EXPERTS: Cait Gilmartin lead behavioral specialist

Avriel Finder Meghan Garrett

PO Box 25067 Philadelphia, PA 19147 info@phillyfriendship.com (215) 574-1765

Elizabeth Gladstone Kate Palladino Caitlin Oleski Tiffany Riddle Stephanie Solomon

@phillyfriendship phillyfriendship.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Julie Axelrod, Rebecca Cohen, Jaime Gordon, Tracy Gordon, Howard Levin, Kami Verne

Founded by Chabad-Lubavitch