Founding Church of Scientology DC Hosts Friendship Day Event to Uplift Morals and Strengthen Community

Washington, D.C. — In honor of the United Nations’ International Day of Friendship, the Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, D.C. hosted a powerful and uplifting open house event aimed at strengthening human connection, promoting ethical values, and addressing the growing moral crisis affecting the nation’s capital.

The event, led by Master of Ceremonies Chas Smith, featured a special presentation of The Way to Happiness—a nonreligious moral code written by humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, which offers 21 commonsense principles to help individuals live with integrity, respect, and compassion. Through stories, film excerpts, and community data, attendees witnessed the direct correlation between moral education and community transformation.

The program began with a surprise recognition from Sue Taylor, who presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition—on behalf of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton—to Thalia Ghiglia for her exemplary drug education outreach in the D.C. area. Ghiglia’s work includes seminars, community booklet distribution, and collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department.

“This day is more than a celebration of friendship,” said Smith. “It’s a call to action. True friendship is built on trust, kindness, and shared values—and The Way to Happiness provides a practical guide to achieving that.”

The open house highlighted The Way to Happiness campaign’s far-reaching impact:

• Over 112 million booklets distributed in 117 languages worldwide.
• A full educational curriculum available free of charge for schools, businesses, and correctional institutions.
• Broadcast of award-winning PSAs reaching over 20 million viewers annually.
• Internationally, over 10,000 educator and information kits are distributed each year to support ethics education.

Locally in D.C., the campaign’s impact is tangible:

• A direct mailing initiative sent 300,000 booklets to homes across the city.
• In collaboration with Dr. Warees Majeed and YaaY Me!, Inc., the program helped organize 350 community events and build 200 partnerships.
• These efforts have contributed to a 26% decrease in violent crime and an 8% overall drop in crime in the District.

Attendees viewed several impactful audiovisual segments, including excerpts from the Way to Happiness film and the PSA “Try to Treat Others as You Would Want Them to Treat You.” The event also featured a success story from the program’s work with the Nation of Islam, highlighting the booklet’s real-world application.

Smith concluded with a call for engagement: “You’ve seen the results. You’ve heard the stories. Now it’s your turn. Whether it’s in your school, your community group, your workplace—or even your home—The Way to Happiness is a tool you can use to uplift lives and restore decency, one friend at a time.”

The Founding Church of Scientology offers free education packages and training programs to organizations, educators, and community leaders interested in implementing the campaign. Attendees were invited to explore the Church’s Public Information Center and sign up to get involved.

For more information or to receive a free Way to Happiness education package, visit www.Scientology.org or stop by the Founding Church at 1424 16th St. NW

Media Contact:

Chas C. Smith, External Affairs Director, Founding Church of Scientology

Phone:

202-797-9826

Email:

externalaffairsdc@scientology.net

Address:

1424 16th St. NW

Washington, DC 20036