Friendship Circle Los Angeles (FCLA) is an incredible non profit organization. Volunteers are paired with children with special needs and a friendship has just begun. Through various activities, projects, and events, the friendships bloom and develop. What it so special is that everyone learns from each other and we are taught to look at the ability and not at the disability. After all, everyone had their strengths and weaknesses- obvious or not. FCLA highlights the abilities in both the children and their volunteers!
Friendship Circle of Los Angeles holds a very special place in my heart. I loved, enjoyed and learned so much volunteering at FCLA. It is a place filled with genuine care, smiles and real friendship.
This program is absolutely amazing. I have a younger brother with Autism, and they have treated him like a real friend. Friendship Circle allows children with special needs to have a special connection, and friendship with their buddy. I have volunteered for Friendship Circle for years now. It’s absolutely an amazing Program, and I hope to volunteer more with them soon.
Friendship Circle is one of those amazing organizations that make it so easy for you to do a good thing and connect with others. I am a teen volunteer who works with a really amazing girl once every week, and I am so thankful to be gifted this opportunity! It is honestly one of the highlights of my week and I never have to stress about scheduling or coordination, because The staff at Friendship Circle is so organised. Thank you for granting me this easy access of performing a wonderful and fulfilling task!
The most Amazing, Welcoming and Loving place for kids and adult with disabilities and different abilities and their families. Friendship circle making sure that every person feels loved, appreciated .
Friendship Circle of Los Angeles has been such a blessing for my son who has special needs and for me, his mom who is raising him alone. FCLA has provided my son a "friend at home" for many years, giving my son a very special teen who made my son feel cared about by doing activities with my son that he's enjoyed so much. FCLA has had special holiday parties throughout the year, making us as a family feel cared about. FCLA has many activities throughout the year, supporting moms of special needs kids, each with a craft or class, along with wonderful healthy food. The Rav-Noys who run FCLA are an incredibly caring, dedicated couple who have shared so much goodness and kindness with my family and other families with special needs kids. The Rav-Noys, the rest of the FCLA staff and the winderful volunteers truly make the world a better place for kids with special needs and their families.
Amazing place, Amazing people!!!!
A place to spend time together as a family, with other families who share similar difficulties.
The staff make sure our kids having the best time, in any activity (summer/winter camp, holidays, after school and weekends' activities).
Great place for parents and volunteers to feel part of meaningful goal.
Thank you FCLA!!!
It is difficult to describe the amazing effect that this organization has on disadvantage kids and their families. One can only come to that realization by observing the genuine love and care that the children get from the staff and an incredible roster of young men and women who volunteer not only their time, but all the love they hold for humanity.
Not many other causes have been as dear to us as Friendship Circle of Los Angeles.
The Kianmahd Family
My son is 12 years old and recently attended a summer camp through FCLA. He also attended several evening social events sprinkled throughout week nights at FCLA on Robertson. I am so impressed by the youth volunteers who interact with my son at all of these events. The youth volunteers show a genuine interest in my son, have great conversations with him, and make him feel special. The staff at FCLA is also friendly, shows concern for each family dynamic, and every staff member makes all feel welcome. We think FCLA is wonderful!
Friendship Circle of Los Angeles (FCLA) is an incredible organization! I started volunteering there when I was in middle school and I've continued to volunteer there even now that I'm in college because I just can't get enough! FCLA's mission is powerful and inspiring: to provide children with special needs (and their families) with opportunities to learn and make new friends. But what's really important is that FCLA realizes that in order to succeed in their mission they need to make sure everyone in the circle is happy. That includes staff, volunteers, sponsors, and of course the special children. And they've really succeeded in making that happen. With fun activities, yummy food, and the great energy of Michy and Miriam, they always create a feeling of family and fun! Thank you Friendship Circle of LA for all you have added to my life!
Warm and caring place for children with special needs and their families. Creative use of their time and resources. Administration could not be any nicer or more professional. They are sent from heaven. Family member attends every Sunday and on holiday events.
My son needed a place where he could be himself and where he could have fun. The people working with this organization are experienced, thoughtful and kind. I highly recommend this organization to anyone who seeks a supportive community.
Our son has a "Big Brother" through Friendship Circle. This young man comes to our home one evening a week, to hang out with our teenage son, play video games, and chat. Our son goes to a school for special needs kids in a different part of LA from where we live. He has friends at school, but none live near us. With the long school day, it's hard to get together with these kids. Our son doesn't have good friends in our neighborhood. His big brother gives him that feeling of having a good friend. Every week he can count on having that time together. His "big brother" is a very warm, relaxed, positive young man. He makes our son feel good, and their time together is a highlight of his week.
Friendship Circle of LOS Angeles is an amazing organization that has changed by special needs son’s life and the lives of our family. Such caring people, such great activities, a true life changer.
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE IS JUST THE JEWISH SOURCE OF ALL THE THINGS HE MAY NEED THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR FOR MY SON.
There are few organizations that help the community like the Friendship Circle. The only way to advance society is through our children and this organization is focused on enriching their lives, the served and the volunteers alike.
I volunteer at the friendship circle and it is truly a amazing place. I have formed many friendships with kids who have different types of special needs. I have seen that these children love coming to the various programs that the friendship circle provides. It really makes a kids day to come to a party or sunday circle and be able to do all the fun activities that any other child would do with their personal volunteer helping them and being a friend.
Last time I had the privelege of touring the facility was during the Sunday Circle Program, where children with Special needs are invited to come and sing, dance, and play with their special friends. I have never been so moved before! An amazing Organization, run by a most dedicated staff.
I have been volunteering weekly with a boy who has Downs Syndrome. We have the best time hanging out together. When I arrive at his house each week he shouts my name over and over again because he's so happy to see me. I feel great knowing that I am making a difference in his week. His mom tells me how he looks forward to my visits and his siblings think I'm really cool. I never would have guessed that volunteering could be so much fun! I've told my friends to join FCLA and they too have a great time. Recently we volunteered at the End of Summer Camp. We had a blast going on field trips and being on the big bus together. My special friend was so excited each morning when his mom dropped him off. I was sad when camp was over but will certainly volunteer at the Winter Camp in December- it was amazing!
I love sharing my Sundays with children who have special needs. Together, we do art, sports, music and just have fun! Highly reccommended for Jewish teens looking to make a difference. It is so rewarding!