About Friendship Circle

We turn strangers into friends and friends into family

Friendship 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 Jewish 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.

Last year, with the help of our 35 teen friends, Friendship Circle provided programming and friendship to 25 young people with special needs.

Friends

Programs

Hours of Friendship

#SeeItDifferently

#DreamWithUS

Mission

We create real and lasting friendships between typically-developing Jewish teens and children with special needs. We are committed to sparking dreams, increasing confidence and building a more inclusive community.

Vision

We recognize that individuals with special needs have the potential to influence our society and teach us what really matters in life. We know that a true community is one that includes all of its members and we are determined to create that reality.

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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 focus is on… Friendship! We know that the power of a true friendship is more effective than the best educators, therapists, and doctors. Friends are not a luxury, they’re an absolute necessity.

OUR TEAM

Rabbi Bentzion Groner

Storyteller

You don’t get more passionate than this guy; he just can’t get enough of what happens at Friendship Circle. Always with his camera and phone, Bentzion will share just about anything on social media. Be sure to “LIKE” his posts or he might not be your friend anymore! Kidding of course! Bentzion is also our Fundraiser and Executive Director.

Rochel Groner

Perfectionist

Rochel ensures everything at Friendship Circle is immaculately impeccable. Rochel is also our Family Coordinator and overall Director of Friendship Circle.

Sophie Molinari

Energizer Bunny

There’s no excuse for a dull moment, according to Sophie, she infuses everyone and everything with extreme enthusiasm! Teens rally around her energy and commit to do anything from staying up all night to, ya know, changing people’s lives! Sophie is cultivating her teen squad to overhaul civilization by 2022. In between making Muddy Buddies, Sophie is our Program and Teen Friend Coordinator.

LEADERSHIP ADVISORY TEAM

Bleema Bershad
Bonnie Bornstein
ZJ Gamlin
Bruce Kagan
Eric Lerner

Amy Seitlin
Stacey Selkin
Mason Sklut
Patricia Stern