Once a week throughout the school year, Friends@Home accommodates a wide variety of schedules. Friends@Home pairs two teenage volunteers and children with special needs for hours of fun and friendship through weekly home visits. This provides children the chance to bond with their volunteers in an environment they are most comfortable in, while their parents and siblings receive much-needed respite. Through the weekly visits, the pair establish a warm friendship that combats the loneliness and isolation so often felt by individuals with special needs. At the same time, their teen volunteers learn the priceless value of giving.

Sunday Circle offers a wonderful opportunity for children to gain from group activities while still receiving one-on-one attention from their volunteers. Activities include sports instruction, music and movement instruction, arts and crafts. Sunday Circle is a two-hour drop off program, creating an excellent respite opportunity for parents. Sunday Circle occurs up to twice a month from 2:00 – 4:00 pm from October through May. Volunteers will be paired up with their special friend

Young adults with special needs enjoy a monthly program (Tuesdays 6:00 – 7:30) aimed at facilitating socialization with peers and young adult volunteers. The goal of this program is to give young adults with special needs the opportunity to make friends and hang out outside of the home in a fun, safe, and relaxed environment. We have organized activities for everyone to participate in that will help build confidence, social skills, and life skills… all while building memories and fostering friendships that will last years!

Seasonal family programs provide fun and entertainment for families in the special needs community. Volunteers will help set up, manage the stations, and hang out with friends.

With G-d’s help, we plan on our first fundraiser to help raise funds needed to continue our programming! With your help, our success will be ensured. Volunteers are encouraged to get actively involved by; creating a fundraising team, inviting friends and family to participate, and help out at the carnival and walk in different capacities.

The leadership position will allow you to impact our community on a greater scale and includes the following requirements; recruiting other volunteers at your school, creating exclusive volunteer events, promoting Friendship House in your community and on social media.