FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE SD INC
TOP-RATED 2009
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Target demographics: Children, teens, and young adults with developmental and other disabilities and their families living in San Diego County.
Direct beneficiaries per year: In the last four years, over 100 families with children with special needs and 200 families of volunteers, for a total of over 900 people, are involved with the Friendship Circle.
Someone who had 3 hours of volunteer time could: Help with our website or photography. Those who would want to work directly with the children would have to go through a background check.
Geographic areas served: San Diego County
Mission:
The Friendship Circle’s mission is to provide families who have children, teens, and young adults with special needs a full range of social and recreational experiences. At its heart is the belief that every individual, regardless of ability, can be a productive member of the community and benefit from the social support offered by one’s peers. We hope that someday people with special needs will be fully included in society, replacing social isolation, bullying, and loneliness with acceptance, participation, and friendship.
The Friendship Circle in San Diego held its first event in 2005, welcoming more than 20 program participants, their families and volunteers. Since then The Friendship Circle has grown to over 150 teen volunteers, 30 college-age volunteers, and 100 professional adult volunteers and serves over 100 families who have members with special needs.
While medical research is finding cures for disease, the prevalence of disabilities is increasing. Society is struggling to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities and there has been real progress. The Americans with Disabilities Act, mainstreaming of students in classrooms, government agencies and national non-profit organizations are all working hard to level the playing field through legislation, funding, and health services. But friendship is not on their “to do” list. For The Friendship Circle, it is the ONLY thing on the “to do” list.
The Friendship Circle in San Diego held its first event in 2005, welcoming more than 20 program participants, their families and volunteers. Since then The Friendship Circle has grown to over 150 teen volunteers, 30 college-age volunteers, and 100 professional adult volunteers and serves over 100 families who have members with special needs.
While medical research is finding cures for disease, the prevalence of disabilities is increasing. Society is struggling to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities and there has been real progress. The Americans with Disabilities Act, mainstreaming of students in classrooms, government agencies and national non-profit organizations are all working hard to level the playing field through legislation, funding, and health services. But friendship is not on their “to do” list. For The Friendship Circle, it is the ONLY thing on the “to do” list.
Results:
We increase social skills and self-esteem of participants through one-on-one sessions with typically developing teens in the following activities: Sports Club, Yoga Class, Dance Class, Teen Women's and Men's Clubs, Outings such as horse-back riding, surfing, sailing, etc.
greenivy11
11/03/09
Friendship Circle of SD has helped my brother who has a very rare syndrome emensly. Every time I speak with him, he tells me about the next activity or event coming up. Thanks to Friendship Circle, he now has a social, educational and stimulating schedule to keep him busy during evenings and ...
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miriam alpert
10/29/09
I volunteer at the Friendship Circle and I have so much fun with it. It doesn't only benefit the families with special needs, it also benefits the volunteers. I have learned so much from the hours I have given and have grown in a spiritual way as well...
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estee
10/28/09
The Friendship Circle is an amazing program, being that it is a program where everyone benefits. The child or adult with special needs gains a friend, and the volunteer gains a real sense of sensitivity, friendship, and responsiblilty. Elisheva has done an amazing job of integrating all age ranges ...
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