Philly Friendship Circle
THE DEPTH OF OUR CIRCLE
2024–2025
Year in Review
BY THE NUMBERS
NEW FRIENDS
Our Circle includes 210 children and teens and 78 young adults with and without disabilities. 75% of our friends attended three or more programs, showing their commitment to inclusive community. ALUMNI GAVE
FRIENDS
New friends of all ages participated in our programming. 65% came regularly to at least three programs!
PARENTS PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAMS
I look forward to your joining me at our remarkable programs and events in the year ahead.
What an exciting year to have been President of the Board of Philly Friendship Circle (PFC). As you read this Annual Report, you will see how PFC has deepened and strengthened all aspects of the organization this year. You will see statistics and dollars on these pages, but unlike other reports, you will read the stories behind these numbers. As I finish my second year as President, I am proud that our Board has grown both in size, expertise and involvement to be able to contribute more. Our Board members were propelled forward this year to make both personal commitments and strategic decisions for the organization by our incredible staff, our families and by the children and teens of all abilities with whom we were blessed to interact.
Another aspect of which we can all be proud, is that our Philly Friendship Circle is a leader in the Friendship Circle (FC) community. Our remarkable and tireless Chani and Zev are connectors and mentors both nationally and internationally. This year, they deepened these relationships by leading meetings and workshops with FC professionals around the country.
As I sat at the Gala this year and watched Ben Dantzic’s incredible video (scan the QR code here) describing how his life has changed since becoming a part of our Young Adult programming, I realized how much I cherish the position I hold.
Sharon P. Levin
Sharon P. Levin Board President
Above: Sharon Levin picture with Yoni Neff and Sherrill Neff at the 2025 Philly Friendship Gala.
THE DEEP IMPACT OF INTENTIONALITY
PROFILE
NAME: Meryl Sussman
POSITION: Chief Operating Officer
YEARS INVOLVED: Three
Coming to Philly Friendship Circle felt like the next chapter in a meaningful journey.
"I’m someone who values mission, structure, and relationships—and in this role, I get to engage with all of that. I think of myself as a kind of conductor, making sure all the pieces are in place so the music can happen.
Some of the most beautiful moments in our programs might look spontaneous, but they’re built on a lot of planning, care, and collaboration. It’s like Calculus and Tetris—thinking through the flow of every aspect of every program, the space we’re in and how many people it can hold, which activities are best for which friends, making sure we have enough supplies, adult volunteers, and professional Friendship Experts.
On our fullest days, staff is arriving early and we’re still going into the evening with more than one program in a day. Everything is intentional and carefully considered so that our programs can thrive, creating space for relationships to grow between members of all abilities."
Intentionality isn’t just
a value, it’s a practice.
Every program we run is shaped by the thoughtful design and care of our staff. Whether it’s enhancing accessibility, supporting our friends, or creating moments of joy and connection, we’re always deepening the ways our work makes an impact.
This year, we focused our efforts on strengthening existing offerings, innovating new programs, and finding ways to maximize unexpected opportunities.
Philly Friendship Walk
We launched a new accessibility guide to help attendees navigate the event, with clear explanations of what to expect and the types of sensory experiences involved. Sensory bags with adaptive toys and calming materials helped guests manage stimulation. We also expanded our Resource Fair , welcoming new partners like communication aid vendors, social skills groups, and sensory play businesses.
Sunday Circle Support
It takes a village! We worked with a team of 50 adults—dedicated volunteers, professional Friendship Experts, and skilled activity facilitators—whose combined efforts made our programs a success. Full-time staff provided behind-the-scenes coordination, ensuring every Sunday Circle ran smoothly with the individualized attention each participant deserves.
Friendship 101
Before Sunday Circle, our teen friends took part in expanded educational sessions. A highlight: a visit from a sensory fitness gym that helped teens explore their own sensory preferences and even dream up their own inclusive space designs.
Communal Endings
To close each Sunday Circle cycle, we introduced a community-wide celebration. These gatherings brought parents, kids, and teens together to mark birthdays, holidays, and shared milestones, further strengthening the sense of belonging across generations.
Expanded Space, Expanded Possibilities
Our new office’s expanded communal space made room for our first-ever young adult movie night, a joyful Hanukkah party for families, and even served as a flexible backup venue—turning space into a tool for connection and inclusion.
Welcoming Young Families
As new young families joined our programs, we added a designated playroom at Sunday Circle. It quickly became a favorite, offering a joyful and thoughtful response to real needs.
THE DEEP IMPACT OF BELONGING
The impact of belonging doesn’t end when the programs do. These reflections from alumni show how their time at Philly Friendship Circle continues to shape who they are, how they think, and how they give back.
“I developed lifelong skills around compassion, empathy, and inclusion. I work in a people-focused career, and I learned those skills at a young age, thanks to PFC.”
“PFCshapedmyperspective and career—I still find fulfillment and asenseofcommunitywithPFC,and it feels like home.”
“PFC made me more aware of the need for inclusion on my college campus—and showed me how to create it.”
“Sunday
Circle gave me a foundation to understand and interact with young adults and kids with various disabilities.”
“PFCshapedmymajorandfuturecareer—
I’mnowaDisabilitiesAmbassadoroncampus, andI’mworkingtowardbecomingachild psychologistspecializinginneurodevelopmental disabilities.PFCmademewhoIam.”
“PFC gave me the tools to approach everyone with an open mind.”
“Now,asaparentofanautisticchild, Ibetterunderstandtheimportanceof advocacy.Myyearsasateenfriendmade mecomfortablewithalltypesofpeople.”
PROFILE
NAME: Andrew Lehr
PARTICIPATION: Alumni
YEARS INVOLVED: Seventeen years!
“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”
– Maya Angelou
"Ifirst joined Philly Friendship Circle as part of my Bar Mitzvah project, but it quickly became something much more. Coming to Sunday Circle became a weekly tradition and a place where I felt I was truly giving back. For the first time, I was making a meaningful impact on those who need it most.
It was rewarding to reconnect as an alum and support this organization through my company’s workplace match program. Even though it had been a few years since I’d formally participated in events, I still wanted to make a difference and give back to a community that meant so much to me as a teenager.
The relationships I formed at Philly Friendship Circle and the inclusive culture left a lasting impression. Close friends, like Judson Solomon, became even closer, and I built new friendships with families and participants along the way. Treating everyone with respect and kindness is something I continue to strive for today, whether with colleagues, friends, or family.
As an alum, I still feel connected—through the annual PFC Walk and through the donations I can now make as a working adult. While I may not have the same time to be involved, I still believe deeply in the power of giving back. PFC is a special community, and I hope to always be a part of it."
THE DEEP IMPACT OF LEADERSHIP
PROFILE
NAME: Deborah Livingston
POSITION: Board Member
YEARS INVOLVED: Nine
PFC isn’t just a program—it’s a feeling. Like hot chocolate with marshmallows or a warm hug.
"When my son was diagnosed with a developmental disorder, I was searching for support to navigate a new and uncertain world. That’s when Philly Friendship Circle came into our lives. It was exactly what we needed. My older kids joined the MVP program, my youngest attended Sunday Circles, and as a family, we found a community we all needed.
Inspired by my children’s growth—leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills— I joined the board in 2024 to help strengthen the organization that had supported us. From this new perspective, I’ve seen just how powerful the impact is, especially among our teens. This year, our Teen Leadership Board raised over $42,000 and welcomed a record number of applicants. The level of commitment is exciting to witness.
At our final Circle of the year, I led a parent feedback session and heard stories that mirrored my own. Families are craving connection, shared resources, and a safe space for their children to “be themselves and have fun.” There’s more work to do, and I’m proud to be part of it."
Leadership shows up, then
steps up
Vision Beyond Today
Our teen leaders expanded their leadership by traveling together to the extensive LifeTown building in North Jersey— one of the founding Friendship Circles. There, they learned from other chapters, focused on strategic goals, and envisioned new ways to shape PFC’s future.
Friendship Day Initiative
Teen leaders created and led a new Friendship Solicitation Day They reached out to businesses for raffle prizes, enhancing grassroots fundraising efforts and proving they could take an idea from start to finish—with team work and joy along the way.
Pairs Grow Stronger
Friends@Home is thriving with over a dozen strong friendships. Many pairs have now been meeting consistently for two years, with the depth of these relationships continuing to grow. Even after graduating high school, old pairs stay in touch—like Kerren, who recently visited Cara in her new independent home and watched her compete in a
MVP: Lessons That Stick
The BeanBoozled challenge sparked laughter and connection for the kids, showing the danger of judging by appearances—but the MVP program’s impact goes deeper. It inspires parents to foster greater inclusion, both at work and in their communities.
Young Adults: Bonds That Keep Growing
When our young adults gather in person for events like movie nights, it enhances the strong relationships built every week through our virtual Happy Hour—showing that connection thrives wherever we come together.
THE DEEP IMPACT OF GENEROSITY
At Philly Friendship Circle, we’re not just creating joy-filled environments — we’re deepening them.
We strive every day to build a sense of belonging for all who enter our Circle. That deep connection shows up in staff who give their all, teens who embody true friendship, alumni who give back, and lay leaders who help drive us forward.
This year, we saw a 50% increase in attendance from young adults, with many returning three or more times. Even more telling, 75% of our friends consistently return to events throughout the year. Overall, the number of households we serve grew by 29%, reflecting a broader and stronger community connection.
This growth, and the impact behind it, is only possible because of donors like you. Your generosity helps deepen our reach, strengthen our programs, and ensure that all children, teens, and parents feel they truly belong.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
2024–2025
Your dollars make our work possible!
Support our circle!
The 2024–’25 year was marked by a deepening in all that we do—reflected in the thoughtful planning of our programs, the expertise of our staff, the richness of our curriculum, and our strong commitment to inclusion and community. Guided by the enduring Jewish values at the heart of our mission, we have fostered meaningful connections between friends and community members.
This year of leadership and growth has made an incredible difference in the lives of many families. Yet, as demand for participation continues to rise, meeting these needs requires expanded staff, materials, and programming opportunities.
Your support is essential to help us continue deepening our impact and sustaining this vibrant community.
Please join us in helping to make friendship available to everyone!
$1,000
Provides three massage therapists, dinner, and a gift for a Mom's Pampering Night, offering relaxation and care for our dedicated mothers.
$1,800
Covers an afternoon of bowling and lunch for 25 young adults, creating a fun social outing that fosters community and connection.
$3,600
Initiates five new tweens into our Circle through our comprehensive MVP experience, providing them with hands-on, impactful service learning.
$5,400
Funds two pairs of Friends@Home, where teens visit children with special needs weekly, facilitating our signature friendship-building experience.
$10,000
Supports three weeks of creative arts activities at Sunday Circle, including movement, music, and dramatic play. Picture over 50 friends guided by activity facilitators and supported by Friendship Experts—professionals in the special needs field.
$18,000
Enables over 25 high school teens on the Teen Leadership Board to gain meaningful leadership skills in a safe, nurturing environment where they are celebrated and supported.
From the wisdom of the Lubavitcher Rebbe:
STAFF
Chani Baram
Chief Relationship Officer
Zev Baram
Chief Executive Officer
Meryl Sussman
Chief Operating Officer
Cait Gilmartin, Lead Behavior Specialist, and team of Friendship Experts
Heather Blakeslee
Grant Writer
Mike Bouchier
Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
Emily Coplon
Database Manager & Bookkeeper
Alexa Hinds
Marketing Associate
Maria Phillips
Art Studio Host
Laurie Sked
Community Relations & Member Support Coordinator
Jackie Weiss
Inclusion Program Coordinator
Rachel Wener
Web & Design Specialist
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sharon P. Levin, President
Deborah Siegel, Secretary
Howard Levin, Treasurer
Julie Axelrod
Eric Berger
Seth Feldman
Melissa Glozman
Sammi Levin
Deb Livingston
Claire Raab
Solomon Fishman, Teen Board Liason
Growth is not only about becoming stronger— it’s about using that strength to share the light inside us. Each step forward helps create a warmer, more welcoming world.
Our mission is inspired by the bedrock foundation of "love your fellow as yourself.”
Philly Friendship Circle provides organized physical and social structures to support inclusive friendships, connections, respite, and fulfillment for children and teens of all abilities and their respective families, young adults of all abilities, and the Jewish community at large.
Through fun and interactive experiences, these relationships bring a sense of joy and meaning to the Philly Friendship Circle community and beyond.
PO Box 25067 Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-574-1765
phillyfriendship.org info@phillyfriendship.com
@phillyfriendship
