Friendship Circle of Miami, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and resources for individuals with special needs and their families, is excited to announce the opening of the much-anticipated Friendship Campus, home to Chabad Center of Kendall/Pinecrest and Friendship Circle.
This unique, 20,000-square-foot facility is the first of its kind in the state of Florida and will have a significant impact on the lives of thousands of individuals. After 10 years of planning and fundraising efforts, the $16 million campus will open its doors on December 8, 2024.
“We are thrilled to finally open the doors of the Friendship Campus and expand our reach in the Miami community,” said Rabbi Yossi Harlig, Executive Director of Friendship Circle. “This unique facility, made possible by the support of our diverse community, will allow us to continue our mission of promoting inclusion and providing support to individuals with special needs and their families.”
The Friendship Campus will be a hub for individuals with special needs to connect, learn, and grow. It will also offer a variety of resources and programs for families, including therapy services, educational workshops, and social events.
The new center campus will allow Friendship Circle to serve even more individuals with special needs and their families. The state-of-the-art facility includes a sensory room, therapy rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, parents lounge, music studio and a large multipurpose room for various programs and events.
The organization also plans to offer new programs and services, such as job training and life skills workshops, to better support individuals with special needs as they transition into adulthood.
Friendship Campus will also provide a beautiful sanctuary and social hall to host all Chabad services and events, Hebrew School classrooms, a brand-new pre-school and a mikvah.
With the opening of this new center, Friendship Circle hopes to create a more inclusive and supportive community for individuals with special needs and their families. “Our new center will fill a void by offering a permanent home with designated spaces to serve the special needs children and families of this community,” said Friendship Circle co-director, Nechama Harlig.
The expansion was made possible through a successful capital campaign that received support from a diverse group of donors, including individuals, families, philanthropies and foundations.
According to Rabbi Harlig, the new center campus is a testament to the strong sense of community in Miami. “People see this as a community resource,” Harlig stated. “Part of the beauty of this project has been the broad community support we received, including from donors who don’t have children in need of our services.”
The capital campaign for the new center campus was a true community effort, with donations of all sizes making a significant impact. “We are incredibly grateful for the support we received from our community,” said Rabbi Harlig. “This new center campus will not only benefit individuals with special needs and their families, but it will also serve as a symbol of unity and inclusivity in our community.”
Friendship Circle invites the community to join them in celebrating the grand opening of the new center campus on Sunday, December 8. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the facility, and a showcase of the organization’s programs and services.
For more information about Friendship Circle and upcoming events, visit their website at www.friendshipcirclemiami.org
About Friendship Circle
Friendship Circle of Miami is a separate non-profit organization affiliated with Chabad of Kendall and Pinecrest. The Chabad of Kendall/Pinecrest launched Friendship Circle of Miami in 2006 to serve families and children with special needs.
It is part of an international network – Friendship Circle International – with more than 80 regional chapters around the world, each independently managed and operated as a separate non-profit organization.
For More Information
Chabad of Kendall/Pinecrest: www.chabadofkendall.org/
Friendship Circle of Miami: www.friendshipcirclemiami.org
Friendship Circle International: www.friendshipcircle.com/
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