ABOUT Friendship Circle creates meaningful
Friends” for weekly home visits. Through
relationships, within the Jewish community,
a full range of innovative programs and
between typically developing teens and
events, the Friendship Circle creates a unique
children with special needs. Our core program
environment of acceptance and love, where
pairs our “Teen Friends” and “Special
everyone feels comfortable and thrives.
IMPACT Friendship Circle creates an awareness that all people, regardless of the obstacles and challenges they may face, are important and worthy of love.
IMPACT
Teenagers, who are often thought of as self-absorbed, are the best group with whom to begin this education. Once they’ve learned this lesson from spending time with their “Special Friends” they are most effective in changing society’s view.
NUMBERS
BY THE
T Weekly and Holiday programs
48
185
T Children and young adults enjoy spending time with their Teen Friends at Friendship Circle programs
T Local Jewish teens have impacted their Special Friend and our community since Friendship Circle started in 2008
16,800 INCLUSIVE TEEN LEADERSHIP BOARD OF ANY FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
1st
T Hours of Friendship supported since 2008
FRIENDSHIP ZONE
The Friendship Zone will be a center with recreational, therapeutic and educational spaces– the first of its kind in
the area, designed as an inclusive space for children and young adults with special needs and their typically developing
peers. This facility will house Friendship Circle's existing weekly programs and enable additional after school programming.
FACILITIES SENSORY P L A Y
C OOK IN G ZON E
T This therapeutic play area will include sensory play structures, interchangeable therapy and play swings, a climbing wall, foam pit, and other specialty equipment. This room is designed to facilitate the development of gross motor skills in a fun and friendly environment.
T The kitchen will be utilized by people of all ages for a variety of programs from holidaythemed cooking sessions to life-skills food prep and kitchen-safety classes. The kitchen will also provide training and experience to help young adults learn specific, focused tasks for jobs in commercial kitchens or restaurants.
SNOEZ EL EN C ENT ER T This multi-sensory environment provides a calming space where participants can engage their senses and find comfort in various sights, sounds, and feelings. From bubble machines to colorful fiber-optic light displays, and soft vibrations, each item in the Snoezelen Room is designed to stimulate the senses and provide a calming respite from the busy world.
A RT ROOM T Art is recognized as an important way for people with special needs to express themselves. Utilizing a variety of materials, for varying levels of complexity, the art room will encourage each individual to show off his/ her interests and creative ability. This space will allow for free-form, structured art, and art therapy all in a relaxed atmosphere.
M USIC A N D DA N C E ST U DI O
SE N SORY H A LLWA Y
T In partnership with A Chance To Dance, Friendship Circle will create an inclusive movement & music environment for children and teens of all abilities to practice their technique and have fun.
T More than just room dividers, our hallway walls will provide therapeutic fun and engage the senses with color, texture and design. No need to hold back, these sensory walls will be all about exploration, engagement and learning fun.
TEEN LO U N G E T The Lounge will serve as a hub for planning and programming for Teen Friends and Junior Teen Friends as well as a place to hang out and enjoy before and after programs.
PARENT LO U N G E T A peaceful place for parents to relax or network with fellow parents while their children participate in programs.
MU LTI- P U RP OSE ROOM T The multipurpose room will serve as a flexible space to accommodate many Friendship Circle programs including, Sunday Programs, After School classes, and Family Events.
DEDICATIONS FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE PAVILION | $250,000 (Complete Center with Building Naming Rights)
DANCE & MUSIC STUDIO | $100,000 SENSORY HALLWAY | $50,000
FRIENDSHIP NERVE CENTER | $150,000 (Offices & Parent Lounge)
TEEN LOUNGE | $50,000
GROSS-MOTOR THERAPY ROOM | $150,000
SNOEZELEN ROOM | $35,000
ART THERAPY ROOM | $100,000
COOKING ZONE | $35,000
Friendship Circle • 6619 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270 • 704 366 5983 • FriendshipCircleNC.org