Programs - Friendship Circle

Programs

Friendship Circle is a nonprofit organization that pairs teen volunteers with an individual with special needs. Together, they form a lasting friendship and participate in one of our 40 weekly and seasonal programs.

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Sunday

Efshar Circle

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Efshar Circle provides a Hebrew and Judaic education for children with special needs. Teachers focus on engaging the child’s sense of Jewish identity through exciting, hands-on learning. Each student is paired one-on-one with a volunteer which enables students to learn at their own pace with individualized curriculums. No previous Judaic instruction is necessary. Teachers design curricula to meet each student’s current level and learning style.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown
Times: Sundays, 10am – 12pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $600

Dates:
September: 5, 12, 19
October: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November: 7, 14, 21
December: 12
January: 9, 16, 30
February: 6, 13, 20, 27
March: 6, 13, 20, 27
April: 3
May: 1, 15, 22

Efshar Circle is offered in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Opening the Doors Program.

Volunteers: Girls
Volunteer Type: One on one

Volunteer

Sunday

Sunday Circle

Description

Details

| Volunteers

This program offers a unique opportunity for children to gain from group activities while still receiving one-on-one attention from their volunteers. Participants are divided into small groups to partake in structured activities and free play throughout the Friendship Circle facility. Activities include sports instruction, music and movement instruction, arts and crafts, and free play in the activity wing and cheese-pit. Sunday Circle is a two-hour drop-off program creating a wonderful respite opportunity for parents.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown
Times: Sundays, 12:30-2:00pm
Ages: 4 – 12
Fee: $350

Dates:
October: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November: 7, 14, 21
December: 5, 12
January: 9, 16, 23, 30
February: 6, 13
March: 6, 13, 20
April: 3, 10

Volunteers: Girls
Volunteer Type: One on one

Volunteer

Sunday

Pathfinders

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Pathfinders is a social outing program designed for participants who can safely attend community outings without a one-on-one volunteer. The outings are planned to give participants exposure to outdoor exploration, music, swimming, art, and social excursions. Pathfinders takes place outside of Friendship Circle, giving participants the opportunity to socialize with their peers, practice social interactions with community members, learn life skills and have fun!

Program Details
Location:
Various sites around Metro-Detroit*
Times: Sundays, 12:30-2pm
Ages: 13+
Fee: $350

*Drop off and pick-up at each site location.

Dates:
October: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November: 7, 14, 21
December: 5, 12
January: 9, 16, 23, 30
February: 6, 13
March: 6, 13, 20
April: 3, 10

Volunteers: Boys
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Volunteer

Sunday

Teen Trips

Description

Details

| Volunteers

During Teen Trips, participants and their one-on-one volunteers go on weekly outings in the community to participate in meaningful projects and social opportunities. These trips give teens and young adults the opportunity to socialize with their peers, practice social interactions with community members, learn life skills and have fun! Weekly outings include bowling, going to the mall, swimming, visiting parks, museums and more!

Program Details
Location:
Various sites around Metro-Detroit*
Times: Sundays, 12:30-2pm
Ages: 13+
Fee: $350

*Drop off and pick up at site location.

Dates:
October: 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November: 7, 14, 21
December: 5, 12
January: 9, 16, 23, 30
February: 6, 13
March: 6, 13, 20
April: 3, 10

Volunteers: Girls
Volunteer Type: One on one

Volunteer

Sunday

Soul Trips

Description

Details

| Volunteers

During Soul Trips, adults will go on monthly outings in the community to participate in meaningful projects and social opportunities. These trips give adults an opportunity to hangout, mingle and meet new friends. Weekly outings include bowling, movies, museums and more!
*The group is designed for participants who can safely attend and engage without a one-on-one volunteer.

Program Details
Location:
Various sites around Metro-Detroit*
Times: Sundays 12:30-2pm
Ages: 18+
Fee: $100

*Drop off and pick up at site location.

Dates:
October: 24
November: 21
December: 12
January: 23
February: 13
March: 20
April: 10

Volunteers: Adults 18+
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Volunteer

Sunday

Fall Basketball Clinic

Description

Details

| Volunteers

This six-week basketball clinic is a great opportunity for players to build motor and social skills while playing basketball. Skills include ball handling, offensive and defensive strategies, zone and man-to-man defense, passing and moving with and without the ball and more. During the session players run drills, play basketball-style games and scrimmages.

This program is appropriate for players looking to build skills in the game of basketball.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown, Elkus Gym
Times: Sundays, 2:30-3:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $75

Dates:
October: 10, 17, 24
November: 7, 14, 21

Volunteers: Boys
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Volunteer

Sunday

Winter Soccer Clinic

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Our winter soccer clinic provides the opportunity for participants to have fun while learning and growing their soccer skills. Emphasizing teamwork and belonging, players of all abilities will practice skills including dribbling the ball, passing to teammates, and shooting and aiming the ball.

This program is appropriate for all ages and ability levels.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown, Elkus Gym
Times: Sundays, 2:30-3:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $75

Dates:
January: 9, 16, 23, 30
February: 6, 13

Volunteers: Boys
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Volunteer

Sunday

Spring Floor Hockey Clinic

Description

Details

| Volunteers

The Friendship Circle Floor Hockey Clinic is offered with equipment proudly sponsored by the Detroit Red Wings. Our Floor Hockey Clinic creates an inclusive environment where players of all abilities can enjoy the game of hockey while benefiting from exercise and movement. Players will learn to operate hockey sticks in an appropriate, safe way.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown, Elkus Gym
Times: Sundays, 2:30-3:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $75

Dates:
March: 6, 13, 20
April: 3, 10

Volunteers: Boys
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Volunteer

Monday

Pizza and Play

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Once a month Friendship Circle will be offering a drop-in program where your child will get to meet a new buddy, enjoy a pizza dinner, and have fun in the building! This program is partnering with local organizations to bring new groups of teen volunteers

Program Details
Location: Lifetown
Times: Monthly on Mondays, 5-6:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: FREE

Dates:
October: 25
November: 22
December: 13
January: 24
February: 21
March: 21
April: 11

Volunteers: Guest Volunteer Groups
Volunteer Type: One on one

Volunteer

Tuesday

Social Circle

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Each week, participants meet their volunteer at Friendship Circle to enjoy one-on-one free play with full use of the Elkus Gym, Bauer Activity Wing and multipurpose room. Kids and buddies start with a welcome circle in the gym before creating their very own schedule of free play to maximize the fun! During Social Circle, the art room and water room offer a different, in-room activity each week. Participants will also be able to put together their own snacks in the apartment!

Siblings are invited to participate.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown
Times: Tuesdays
4:30–5:30pm or 5–6pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $200

Dates:
October: 5, 12, 19, 26
November: 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
December: 7, 14
January: 11, 18, 25
February: 1, 8, 15, 22
March: 1, 8, 15, 22
April: 5, 12

Volunteers: Girls
Volunteer Type: One on one

Volunteer

Wednesday

Open Gym

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Open Gym gives participants an opportunity to get some exercise with their one-on-one volunteer in a fun, social environment. Gym time will include familiar games such as basketball, soccer and hockey as well as free choice, stretching, playground games and more. Open Gym allows each person to enjoy exercise and gameplay at an individual level while enjoying social interactions with their volunteer, coaches, and peers.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown, Elkus Gym
Times: Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $200

Dates:
October: 20, 27
November: 3, 10, 17
December: 1, 8, 15
January: 12, 19, 26
February: 2, 9, 16, 23
March: 2, 9, 23
April: 6, 13

Volunteers: Boys
Volunteer Type: One on one

Volunteer

Wednesday

Life Skills

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Life Skills takes place in the state-of-the-art Weinberg Village and gives participants the opportunity to practice life skills in a realistic, safe, and controlled environment. Focus areas for the village include street safety, money skills, personal responsibility, and inter/intrapersonal communication skills. Location-specific goals include things such as visiting the doctor or placing an order in the cafe. Life Skills also offers a simulated job experience for all participants ages 13 and older. This unique program offers the excitement and fun of the village as well as life skill development.

Friendship Track: The Friendship Track is an advanced Life Skills track, structured to give the opportunity for participants to focus on building friendships, taking turns, and considering a friend’s needs. This track does this by pairing 3 participants with 1 volunteer. Participants on this track ages 13 and older, will receive a simulated job experience, in addition to the excitement and fun of the village and building friendships!

Program Details
Location: Lifetown, Weinberg Village
Times: Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30pm (2 sessions)
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $125/session

Dates:
Session 1
October: 20, 27
November: 3, 10, 17
December: 1, 8

Session 2
January: 19, 26
February: 2, 9, 16, 23
March: 2

Volunteers: Girls
Volunteer Type: One on one
Friendship Track Volunteers: 1:3

Volunteer

Thursday

Soul Social

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Building relationships as a young adult can be challenging for any individual. For individuals with special needs, attending social events can be overwhelming. Luckily, Soul Social is a great option for individuals looking for a fun, socially appropriate and meaningful evening. The activities planned will include informal conversation groups, art, music, improv, drum circles, films, mindfulness and games. Soul Social takes place at Soul Studio, giving participants a chance to experience the mature, adult atmosphere of Farber Center.

The group is designed for participants who can safely attend and engage without a one-on-one volunteer.

Program Details
Location: Farber Center, Soul Studio
Times: Thursdays, 4:30-6pm
Ages: 14+
Fee: $200

Dates:
October: 7, 14, 21, 28
November: 4, 11, 18
December: 2, 9
January: 13, 20, 27
February: 3, 10, 17, 24
March: 3, 10, 24
April: 7, 14

Volunteers: Boys
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Volunteer

Winter Camp

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Friendship Circle provides a fun-filled week with enjoyable and educational trips around Metro Detroit while school is closed. During this week on the town, campers and their volunteers build friendships and connections to last a lifetime! Campers may be registered for individual days or the entire camp to ensure the best-fit schedule for your busy winter break!

Siblings are invited to participate.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown
Time: 10am – 3pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $100/day

Dates:
Sunday – Thursday, December 19-23

Volunteers: Girls and boys
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Respite

MLK Day Camp

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Our MLK Day Camp provides a full day of activities for participants to keep busy while school is out. We will enjoy a field trip in the Metro Detroit community for a day of adventure, social opportunities and fun!

Siblings are invited to participate.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown
Date: Monday, January 17
Time: 10am – 3pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $100

Volunteers: Girls and boys
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Respite

Mid-Winter Day Camp

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Campers are invited to join the Friendship Circle in a fun-filled day camp experience while school is closed for Mid-Winter Break. Campers will have the opportunity to engage in winter-themed activities such as building snowmen and drinking cocoa while also enjoying a field trip out in the community with their friends. Participants have the ability to sign up for one day or two, depending on your schedule.

Siblings are invited to participate.

Program Details
Location: Lifetown
Date: Sunday, February 20 & Monday, February 21
Times: 10am – 3pm
Ages: All Ages
Fee: $100/day

Volunteers: Girls and boys
Volunteer Type: Not one on one

Respite

Fall Family Party

Description

Details

| Volunteers

Join us for a fun-filled event fit for the whole family! We will enjoy food, arts and crafts, music, and more! Meet our new (and old!) staff, learn more about our programs, and enjoy games and activities run by our teen volunteers!

Program Details
Location: Lifetown
Date: Sunday, September 19
Time: Noon-2pm
Ages: All Ages