Among Friends Summer '20 - Philly Friendship Circle Newsletter

B’H

We miss you all so much and look forward to when we can see one another in person again!

We’ve been working hard to find new ways to connect with each other. During this time, a powerful message comes to mind from the Lubavitcher Rebbe: “We all know the power of darkness—it is in the news every day. A thousand times more is the power of light.” We are truly humbled by the support of our community during this time and the blessing of watching so many friendships blossom in new ways.

Wishing you Health, Peace, and Friendship, Chani & Zev Baram, Co-Founders

FRIENDSHIP SPOTLIGHT MICHELLE & ETHAN During Sunday Circle, you can spot these two walking around, enjoying different activities, laughing and assuring that the HVAC is properly running (a huge interest of Ethan’s). “When we heard on the loudspeaker [in school] we had to go home in March,” Ethan shares, “I felt sad.” But their strong bond wouldn’t let that stop them from staying in touch.

They started FaceTiming and are in touch now more than ever! Embracing it as an opportunity to get to know each other in a new light: Being able to virtually visit each other’s homes, pointing out their HVAC vents and even having Michelle’s new puppy, Beau, join the calls! Michelle loves that they get to check in so often and appreciates that she has deepened other friendships by joining various FC virtual programs and events.

Ethan sums it up: “Michelle is my friend. When Michelle calls me to FaceTime I feel happy and excited.”

Teen Leadership Journey

Exploring our Future Almost 30 of our teen leaders loaded onto a bus before 10am (a huge accomplishment on its own!) to check out the new home of our fellow FC in Livingston, NJ. This 53,000 ft², fully inclusive and accessible, space offers a myriad of opportunities for recreation, education, and therapeutic play, that we got a chance to touch and feel. Our leaders spent the day there helping us to envision the future of Philly FC! On the way home, the leaders reflected on and discussed an important part of FC’s strategic plan: What makes Philly FC unique? How can we grow while being guided by our Jewish values and making healthy, sustainable plans for the future? Where do we want each of FC’s programs to be in the near and distant future?

A PEEK INTO OUR VIRTUAL WORLD “Keeping familiar activities provides a routine and familiarity during these difficult times is highly beneficial for participants with special needs, and all youth who are coping with these changes to daily life. Maintaining consistency and connection promotes resilience as a community, preparing us to come back stronger than ever in our next year of programming.” - Cait, FC Lead Behavior Specialist “It was really inspiring to be able to reach people from the comfort of Mailer their own homes at a time when I feel movement and joy is just so needed.”

- Aleah Conlin, Dance & Movement Facilitator from Liberty Me Dance Studio

Voices of FC Youth “I miss seeing you in person but I like everything we do on the computer.

I like to meet new friends and I’m having fun seeing them.”

“I didn’t know a lot of people before so this is a great way for me to get to know everyone.”

FUN MEMORIES

Miami Marathon

Purim Fun!

Learning with Community Artists

Young Adult “We’ve Got Talent”

FRIENDS@HOME HIGHLIGHTS Friends who FC at home together, stay together - even during a pandemic. Friends who hang out frequently in a natural home setting build meaningful “tight” friendships.

Take Tyler and Jeffrey, who have gone from hanging out in person and being spotted at basketball games to texting every day since quarantine began. And Leon and Jonah, who have been friends for a few years now, continue to stay in touch with a Zoom call every Thursday evening. Leon enjoys seeing Jonah and Jonah shares that their time together brings him great satisfaction to know that, in his words: “we are having fun and just being ourselves.”

No Sundays? No problem! Another success of this year is that some of our friends who cannot attend Sunday Circle due to scheduling conflicts or other reasons, have chosen to get involved in Friends@ Home due to its flexibility. It’s great to have options and of course we are thrilled to stay connected with as many friends as possible!

Sixers Beat the Bulls with FC Friends Cheering Them On Friends@Home friends, like Jeffrey and Tyler, were invited to join a fun outing to the Philly 76ers VS Chicago Bulls game at our own private suite with delicious food!

“Dear FC, Oh my goodness, I want to thank you heartily for inviting Jeffrey and me to the outing at the Sixers game. It was fantastic. Jeffrey was totally jazzed the whole night.

He had a great time with Tyler. Jeff saved Tyler a seat at the counter where there are bar stools and the two of them hung out there all night. I met some other friendly families, too. - Thank you, Mike P. “

SUPPORT INCLUSIVE FRIENDSHIPS Recurring monthly donations Lifecycle events: in honor or memory of a loved one Online shopping: Amazon Smile (Friendship Circle Philadelphia region, Inc.) & Goodshop (Philly Friendship Circle) United Way donations (4454) Matching gifts

Inquire About:

Endowment & naming opportunities

Corporate matches

Event sponsorship

Donations of stock or security

Legacy gifts

Staff: Chani Baram, Co-Founder | Zev Baram, Executive Director & Co-Founder | Cait Gilmartin, Lead Behavioral Consultant | Alexa Hinds, Director of Operations | Jess Shapiro, Program & Curriculum Coordinator Board of Directors: Julie Axelrod, Rebecca Cohen, Jaime Gordon, Tracy Gordon, Howard Levin, Kami Verne

Philly Friendship Circle connects teens and young adults to youth with special needs and their families through a full range of social offerings. Inspired by the power of genuine friendships, our youth cultivate understanding, kindness and responsibility while ensuring a caring and inclusive community.

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

phillyfriendship.com