Among Friends Winter '21 - Philly Friendship Circle Newsletter

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Dear Friends,

AMONG FRIENDS WINTER 2021

While the waves of the pandemic continue to ebb and flow, we are committed to staying Open4Friendship and having as many opportunities as possible to see our friends (safely) in person.

This means coming up with creative alternatives to some of our classic programs and offering new and adapted programs that are accessible and individualized to every child, teen and young adult that joins in the fun!

We hope you enjoy reading what we’ve been up to!

Chani & Zev Baram Co-Founders

HERE'S WHAT OPEN4FRIENDSHIP LOOKS LIKE:

2021 Teen Co-Chairs

PHILLY FRIENDSHIP WALK 2021 Wide Open Spaces & Smiling Faces We’re so grateful to all of YOU who joined us in person and supported the event by taking the steps to reach and EXCEED our fundraising goal for our most successful walk campaign yet! We are completely blown away by the outpouring of support from YOU our Philly Friendship Circle family!

N FORIP OPEN DSH FRIE

CONTINUED

PHILLY FRIENDSHIP WALK 2021

FORIP N E OP ENDSH FRI

Thanks for joining us on the path to a more inclusive world!

The Zeitzer Family Walk Co-Chairs

We had a blast celebrating together like old times!

Hundreds of friends came together to jump for joy on the bungee trampoline, rock out to the band, savor some soft pretzels, and join us on the trail complete with bubbles, chalk games and limbo.

The Sussman Family Walk Co-Chairs

Alumni

WHAT OPEN4FRIENDSHIP LOOKS LIKE:

For Our Teen Leadership Board Members Our Teen Leadership Board was as active as ever during the 2020 lockdown….but we missed the chance to see each other in person.

That’s why we were overjoyed to kick off the year by coming together in-person at JCHAI where we had a chance to learn about the experience of adults with disabilities in our community.

Together, we brainstormed and prepared for the upcoming Philly Friendship Walk and met in each of our respective committees to plan our focuses and goals for the year.

Back in-person and better than ever, look out for all the ways this group of ambitious teens are taking the lead in our community to spread joy and friendship in challenging times!

The Kovsky Family Walk Co-Chairs

WHAT OPEN4FRIENDSHIP LOOKS LIKE:

For Our Friends 18 & Over We’re fortunate to have known so many of our friends since they were kids and also meet many others who are just recently discovering the fun and friendship of FC as young adults. So we decided it was time for us to widen our Circle, and offer more new programs just for friends 18 and older.

While we’ve continued our weekly virtual happy hours that started during the 2020 lockdown, we have also welcomed the chance to see our young adult friends in person again with brand new opportunities geared just to them, including: Social Circles - inclusive events offering “night out on the town” excitement with the warm fuzzy feelings FC is known for, Sunday Strolls - accessible walks & hikes in local parks and helping to deliver packages to others in our community.

“I felt so comfortable interacting with everyone. There was a great energy and “It’s incredibly generous everyone was happy and so wonderful. You to be there.” - FC Teen guys are unbelievably supportive!” - FC Mom

WHAT OPEN4FRIENDSHIP LOOKS LIKE:

For Our Friends 17 & Under Based on our latest COVID guidance, we were not able to hold our regular Sunday Circles this fall, BUT we knew friends in our community were ready to see one another in person again.

So we were happy to introduce Sundays@Home 2.0: bringing the fun and friendship of Sunday Circle to the homes of our friends with outdoor hangouts in small, safe pods.

And of course, in signature FC style, we carefully paired friends together based on their unique interests, personalities, health/safety needs and also sent along our professional Friendship Experts so that everyone could build genuine friendships and feel safe doing so.

New tween friends get their first taste of FC at Sundays@Home 2.0

Recurring Monthly Donations

Online Shopping

Support Inclusive Friendships

United Way Donations (4454)

Matching Gifts, Stock, Planned Giving

Remember FC in your end of year giving!

Amazon Smile (Friendship Circle Philadelphia Region, Inc).

Lifecycle Events: In Honor or Memory of a Loved One

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.

Staff Zev Baram Executive Director & Co-Founder • Chani Baram Co-Founder • Alexa Hinds Director of Operations • Cait Gilmartin Lead Behavioral Consultant • Shannon Conway Office Administrator & Executive Support • Samantha Holzer Program and Curriculum Coordinator • Leah Staub Data Associate • Amanda Thum Outreach & Engagement Coordinator

Board of Directors: Julie Axelrod, Rebecca Cohen, Jaime Gordon, Tracy Gordon, Howard Levin, Kami Verne, Debby Armstrong, Teen Board Liaison

info@phillyfriendship.com

(215) 574-1765

phillyfriendshipvirtual.com

@phillyfriendship