High Schools Unite for Friendship Circle Kickoff

Shortly after the hustle and bustle of Tishrei, close to 300 Crown Heights high school girls gathered for their annual Friendship Circle volunteer kickoff and registration.

Girls from four local high schools – Bais Rivkah, Bnos Menachem, Bnos Chomesh, and Beis Chaya Mushka – joined together to volunteer for an important cause within the community, the Friendship Circle. These girls have all given of their time to befriend children and young adults with special needs by visiting them weekly in their homes.

The girls took part in four interactive alternating workshops led by their school presidents. The girls debated on the topic of Inclusion VS Self containment; heard from a mother about how having a child with special needs dramatically changes the lives of a family and how important this program is; played a team building game which emphasized how we all need to actively participate in our community and its children; and took part in an activity and discussion about communicating with children who are not verbal or challenging to understand.

The presenters really brought home to the girls how challenging having a diagnosis can be, and how vital their friendship and visits are.

Following the sessions, the girls were invited to take part in a Tea Party, where the guidelines for Friends at Home were discussed and the girls had a chance to register for the program.

Friendship Circle of Brooklyn would like to thank Mrs. Chaya Pape and Mrs. Tobey Karpel for their time. A very big thank you to Chumie Levin, volunteer coordinator, and school presidents Moussia Telsner, Perl Faygen, Esti Laufer, Hindale Herson and Rochel Karp, who arranged and assisted with this event.

For more information about Friendship Circle, contact berel@fcbrooklyn.com.

Help support this vital work by purchasing a raffle ticket and be in the drawing to win $10,000 this Chanukah: Visit www.FCBrooklyn.com/RAFFLE.