Capital Region Friendship Circle

The Friendship Circle, not for profit organization, was born from innovation, where two compelling community needs and two target populations were creatively addressed through one synergistic program design. 

• Special Needs Children and their families need to be accepted and welcomed as members of the community. Children need to have positive and meaningful interactions (friendships) with their fully abled peers, and in turn, learn to be a friend. Their families need support, acceptance and respite opportunities.
• Teens in middle and high school need to have meaningful volunteer opportunities during after school and weekend time, in which they can:
  • Interact with friends and peers from other schools;
  • Engage in teambuilding activities that help them develop a sense of responsibility and empathy toward others,
  • Regularly and meaningfully contribute to their community, and help other children, in a way that adults cannot.

Together, the volunteers, children, parents, staff and supporters who make up the Friendship Circle can perform miracles.