The Friendship Circle: A Win-Win Program for Upper Dublin Teen Volunteers and the Kids with Special Needs Whom They Mentor

Fort Washington, PA…When Upper Dublin resident Sam Rosen first learned about opportunities with the Friendship Circle, a program which pairs teen mentors with children with special needs, the then-eighth grader was eager to volunteer.

Now, five years later, the Upper Dublin High School senior has developed leadership and interpersonal skills that will serve him well in college and in his future. More importantly, he has developed a meaningful bond with Ryan Singer of Ambler, an 11-year old student at Sandy Run with special needs, whom he visits weekly through Friendship Circle’s Friends at Home Program.

“At first I was a bit nervous; it was a new experience for me. Then I got to know Ryan and what he liked and our plans revolved around those activities – pretending he was driving my car, playing his favorite Wii games, swimming and bike rides,” Rosen recalls. “Now we are very comfortable with each other. It has been a great experience for both of us.”

Founded by Lubavitch House in 2004, The Friendship Circle Philadelphia Region South connects teens and young adults to youth with special needs and their families, offering a full range of Jewish and social experiences. Together, they develop friendships while enjoying creative arts group activities, Jewish holiday celebrations, weekly playdates, and more. These mutually rewarding relationships foster the development of a caring, supportive community.

Some teens prefer spending scheduled one-on-one time with an established buddy at their buddy’s home through the Friends at Home option. Others enjoy the setting of Sunday Circle – a 2-hour program that functions like a therapeutic camp, providing a series of scheduled activities – Jewish holiday crafts, music, recreation – in which participants and their teen volunteers rotate together.

Jodi Singer, Ryan’s mom, knows just how much Friendship Circle programs means to children with special needs. “Ryan has been lucky enough to have two role models – Sam Rosen and Andrew Axelrod (a Junior who also lives in Upper Dublin),” she says. “For Ryan, having not one but two teen male role models to admire is so rewarding and impactful; he aspires to be like them. This is such a great opportunity for teenagers to make a difference in someone else’s life. By working with these children, the volunteers are learning important skills like empathy and responsibility, which they need to relate to other people.”

Chani Baram, Program Director of Friendship Circle, understands the bonds which are made through this program and hopes more young men and women will sign up to work with children with special needs. “Teen Volunteers are the heart of the Friendship Circle. Volunteering with The Friendship Circle offers the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills, connect with the Jewish community, and form life-long friendships.”

Sam Rosen agrees, “I have grown so much as a person. Teens should definitely volunteer.”

Volunteers are needed for all Friendship Circle programs. The next round of Sunday Circle Sessions will be held November 15 and 22 and December 6 at the Lubavitch of Montgomery County, located at 1311 Fort Washington Ave, Fort Washington, PA 19034 If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please log onto www.phillyfriendship.com and click on “Volunteers.” There you will go to “Get Started Now” and fill out the volunteer form. Jared Pashko, Friendship Circle Volunteer Coordinator, can be reached at jpashko@phillyfriendship.com for more information.

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