Friendship Circle will celebrating the friendships of children, teens, and young adults, with and without special needs, at an event in West Hartford on Sunday, May 6.

Submitted

On Sunday, May 6, the Friendship Circle of Greater Hartford will be celebrating their 10th year anniversary and will pay tribute to the ​children, teens and young adults that join together in friendships that lasts forever.

Friendship Circle brings together toddlers through young adults with and without special needs for a variety of Judaic and social programming.

Many times, in the life of a child with special needs, social isolation is a huge and hurtful challenge.

Friendship Circle fills that void and facilitates friendship between all members through weekly home visits, holiday celebrations, Jewish education, cooking, fitness, and art programs, all while developing strong friendships.

At the heart of the organization is a group dedicated teenage volunteers from local high schools who give freely of their time, devotion, and unconditional love and support.

Inspired by the magic of genuine friendship and further understanding, our members are encouraged to see the abilities in others, empowering everyone to develop a more accommodating and welcoming Jewish community for all.

In the fall of 2009 Chabad of Greater Hartford began the Friendship Circle with two groups; 10 years later Friendship Circle has multiple programs and 100 members.

Friendship Circle has truly impacted many lives in our community.

“After receiving diagnoses for our son Gabe, we felt all these doors close,” shared Barbara Dell, a mother of a child in Friendship Circle. “Many of our dreams and hopes for our child had been dashed. Through our involvement with Friendship Circle, slowly, new doors began to open. Connections were made with teens, fellow moms, and lots of families that learn from and support each other. We began to feel a part of a warm, inclusive community.”

The celebration on May 6 will be a fun afternoon with moving speeches and videos, hearing from current members as well as alumni, highlighting the work of Friendship circle and its impact on the community. 

All members of the community are invited to participate and see the magic of Friendship Circle honor its members, children, teen and young adults with or without special needs.

See how our youth have been empowered to rise above society’s expectations of self-involved teens and carry the hope for an enlightened future. ​

 The program will also include an interactive breakdancing show, carnival food, and loads of fun! 

The event will take place on Sunday, May 6, from 2-4 p.m. at the Emanuel Synagogue, 160 Mohegan Dr., West Hartford.

Event entry is $36 per person, and ad and sponsorship opportunities are available.

To RSVP or for information about ads, go to www.FriendshipCircleCT.com/Celebrate, email [email protected], or call 860-833-4035.

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Friendship Circle is a project of Chabad of Greater Hartford.

You can learn more about the Friendship Circle and the programs we offer by visiting our web site www.FriendshipCircleCT.com

Email [email protected] or Call: 860-833-4035