What Is the Friendship Circle? Supporting Young Adults And Children with Special Needs
Some experts propose that participation in life situations with family, same-aged peers, and community members can improve the lives of children with disabilities. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) was adopted by the World Health Organization (WHO) to measure health and disability in both individuals and populations. It generally emphasizes availability and access to activities in environments where those with disabilities can interact with and work alongside others without disabilities. It also notes that social interactions and connections tend to be a key part of the process.
The Friendship Circle is an international organization that aims to build relationships between people with disabilities and their peers and communities. While it can be an excellent resource, parents of children with disabilities often benefit from individualized support as well. One way to receive personalized professional guidance may be to connect with a licensed mental health professional.
What is The Friendship Circle?
The Friendship Circle is a nonprofit organization that aims to create inclusive friendships between people with and without disabilities. Although it is a Jewish organization, it welcomes members of all religious affiliations.
This organization is built on the foundation that focusing on abilities instead of disabilities can lead to strong friendships and teach the lessons of honesty, positive thinking, and commitment. The Friendship Circle celebrates the individuality of children and young adults with special needs and offers support and peace of mind to their families.
Mission of The Friendship Circle
According to its website, The Friendship Circle focuses on “developing the values of altruism, compassion, and acceptance in our teen volunteers as we heighten community awareness and sensitivity and encourage a sense of responsibility and involvement.” It uses multiple programs to build these friendships and awareness.
Programs available through The Friendship Circle
The Friendship Circle offers many programs to support its mission, although some programs mentioned below may not be available at all branches.
Friends@Home
Friends@Home is a program in which a pair of specially trained teenage volunteers visits a friend with special needs at their home once a week. Some local Friendship Circle centers may provide supplies and activity ideas for the friends to do together.
Camp
Some branches of the Friendship Circle offer summer and winter camps for children with special needs. Campers typically learn new skills and have fun singing and making crafts while parents and siblings enjoy a brief respite at home.
Holiday programs
The Friendship Circle also offers holiday programs with activities that allow families to focus on the traditions of the Jewish faith. Holiday activities can help each family member participate at their own level. These activities may also build connections between families, their faith, and the larger community.
Children’s Torah Circle
This program usually focuses on developing children's language and gross motor skills through arts and crafts, stories, and music. It can also provide support and socialization for children with special needs as they learn more about their heritage.
Sports Night
Research suggests that youth sports can have many benefits for children, but many kids with special needs may not get the opportunity to join a team. At Friendship Circle Sports Nights, kids can get a chance to engage in various sports under the guidance of trained volunteers and professional instructors.
Sibling support programs
Social support for siblings of children with special needs can lead to improved mental and physical health outcomes. The Friendship Circle offers sibling support, where sisters and brothers of those with special needs can share and talk to their peers, participate in fun activities and discussions, and learn skills to help them in their everyday lives.
Life skills
Life skills can help those with special needs become more comfortable in public places. Professionals and teen volunteers typically help kids become more comfortable in new situations so they can become more self-sufficient as they age.
Walk4Friendship
Walk4Friendship is a community event hosted in many cities with a Friendship Circle branch. Families, friends, and volunteers may participate in these walkathons to raise money to support local Friendship Circle programs.
Endurance events
In addition to walkathons, the Friendship Circle also hosts endurance events, like cross-country biking, marathons, and hikes. For example, in February 2024, Team Friendship organized a fundraiser where participants signed up to fundraise and take a guided hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro. In 2025, Bike Friendship is hosting a bike ride from California to New York, which is scheduled to take place from July 3 to August 17.
What does the research say?
The Friendship Circle was founded on the idea that creating inclusive friendships between people with and without disabilities can benefit everyone involved. Research indicates that this type of interaction may be necessary for helping people with disabilities develop a true sense of belonging.
Benefits for children with special needs
Research has found that, while inclusion in an educational setting can be crucial, facilitating participation in the community can create a sense of belonging for individuals with disabilities. This study states that shifting from inclusion to participation is key and that service providers who understand the needs of children with disabilities and their families can help meet their individual needs.
Branches of the Friendship Circle
To date, there are close to 90 branches of the Friendship Circle worldwide. Most are located across the continental US, but there are also branches in Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Israel.
Getting additional support for a child or young adult with special needs
If you have a child or young adult with a disability in your life, a group like The Friendship Circle can provide community-level support where your child can enjoy a sense of community and understanding. However, children with disabilities and their families often benefit from more specialized support. Working with a licensed therapist or another mental health professional who is trained to support children with special needs can give these children a safe space to talk about their challenges and get individualized support.
Parenting children with special needs often comes with unique challenges. If your child has a disability, talking to a therapist can help you learn coping skills to manage stressors and techniques to help your child navigate the world.
Therapy options
Online therapy can be a flexible, convenient option for people who prefer to avoid the waiting lists and long commute times that can come with in-person treatment. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can work with a qualified professional from the comfort of your home or any location with an internet connection. Most people are matched with a therapist within 48 hours of signing up, and you can change providers at any time until you find a good match.
Research has found that online therapy can be as effective as in-person treatment. According to a 2021 study, online interventions may be especially helpful for parents, improving their mood, coping skills, psychological flexibility, and emotion regulation.
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