About Friendship Circle
We turn strangers into friends and friends into familyFriendship Circle is an organization with a unique approach to supporting children with special needs. Though their peers may enjoy regular play-dates, children with special needs often experience loneliness and isolation because of a lack of appropriate social opportunities. Our innovative programming is designed to fill this void by fostering enduring and meaningful friendships between those with special needs, our “Special Friends”, and typically-developing teens, our “Teen Friends”, in the Greater Charlotte community.
Our core program pairs local teens and children with special needs for weekly visits; the basis of our genuine friendships. Through a broad range of activities and events, Friendship Circle creates an atmosphere of acceptance, recognizing that all people, regardless of the obstacles and challenges they may experience, are sacred, worthy of love, and have something to contribute.
Friends
Programs
Hours of Friendship
#SeeItDifferently
#DreamWithUS

Mission

Vision
Values
Friendship Circle is founded on the idea that each of us has a G-dly soul with a unique mission in this world. We all have inherent value and are worthy of love, respect, and opportunities to connect.
Focus
OUR TEAM

Rabbi Bentzion Groner
Storyteller

Rochel Groner
Perfectionist

Sue Schreiber
Family Coordinator
A listening ear, a loving heart, a little biased about her adorable granddaughters. Meet Ms. Sue. She loves nature and hiking and she’s lots of fun to hang out with.
Ms. Sue has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching and has worked with differently-abled children ranging from preschool – 8th grade. Most recently Sue worked as a Child Development Specialist for Child Care Resources and as a Teacher in a local Therapy Center.
LEADERSHIP ADVISORY TEAM
Bleema Bershad
Bonnie Bornstein
ZJ Gamlin
Bruce Kagan
Eric Lerner
Amy Seitlin
Stacey Selkin
Mason Sklut
Patricia Stern