For the past 15 years, Friendship Circle of Miami has paired children and teens who have special needs with “typical teens’ from local schools, providing the friendship and acceptance they desperately seek. In many cases, the friendships flourish and add a new and meaningful purpose to the volunteers’ lives.
This past weekend, dozens of remarkable high school students, all volunteers at Friendship Circle, devoted their Sunday and attended a pre-Chanukah party to wrap gifts and create cards for their special friends. The gifts will be given out during the holiday season.
It was a meaningful day filled with love and laughter. Hundreds of presents were beautifully wrapped. Later, the Friendship Circle volunteers were treated to a delicious lunch of pasta, salad, potato latkes, doughnuts, a hot cocoa bar and even a smores bar.
“Our volunteers and their devotion to their friends demonstrates that all of us can truly make a difference in this world,” says Nechama Harlig, Co-Director. “We are grateful for their time and commitment to the Friendship Circle.”
For more information about the organization or to volunteer, Call: Nechama Harlig at 305-234-5654.
Friendship Circle of Miami
Children with special needs face many challenges, among them isolation and lack of relationships. They could have the best professional help, but they don’t necessarily have friends, don’t attend regular social gatherings like most, and their classmates can’t interact with them in the same way as most children. The nonprofit bridges this gap through inclusive programs which include sports, music, life skills, summer and winter camp, yoga, equine therapy, and other exciting activities.
Mission
Friendship Circle of Miami is a nonsectarian, community-based 501(c)(3) non-profit that creates friendship and develops life skills for individuals with special needs through teenage volunteers and community outreach.
