Friendship Home Family  Newsletter 
Visit from Flutie Foundation

Friendship Home has been awarded a multi-year grant of $30,000 from the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism to help individuals live life to the fullest. Executive Director Lisa Borges and Lisa Collins, Director of Community Partnerships & Family Supports, visited Friendship Home's cafe and dined with our staff and participants. We also shared delicious cookies shaped as puzzle pieces in honor of Autism Awareness Month. Special thanks to Cathie Cooney, a Friendship Home parent, for making the edible masterpieces! 

Pictured (left to right) Linda Malone, Director of Development, Jade Purington, Overnight Respite Director, Lisa Borges, Lisa Collins and Andrea Pyke, Executive Director.

Police Officer Educates Police Force about Autism

Friendship Home parent Marty Baker was featured in an NECN story about his work educating police forces on how to work with people on the autism spectrum. Keep up the good work, Marty!   Click  here  to watch.   
Jessie, Our Hero
Jessie MacDonald, longtime Friendship Home volunteer, received a Hero Award from her South Shore YMCA Lobstars tennis team at the Laura's Love tournament reception on April 8th. Not only has Jessie shown tremendous determination and courage during her challenges with cancer, she is a very respected and valued team player.  Jack Spurr, Deb Mastro, Wilma Goodhue and Joe and Linda Malone offered their congratulations. 
UCC Clergy Breakfast
Last week, the United Church of Christ, sponsored a program for clergy on "creating faith communities intentionally inclusive of people with special needs." Several of the speakers were from our own Friendship Home family. Board Chair Jack Spurr, Martha Wilson and J.R. Foley shared their own experiences and the need for inclusivity. Keynote Speaker Emily Colson, Friendship Home mother and member of the North River Community Church, talked about how the NRCC not only has embraced her son Max, but created ways to make Max's worship time meaningful. Mary Kate Gallagher, founder of Middle School Club, shared how meeting a girl named Sophie at our Ice Cream Social changed her life. 
Jack Spurr, Emily Colson, Martha Wilson, Mary Kate Gallagher, J.R. Foley, 
Rev. Leanne Walt (Pastor) and Senator Patrick O'Connor

Special thanks to Sara Foley for creating the beautiful centerpieces
We Salute our Volunteers
National Volunteer Week
Friendship Home is grateful for all of our devoted volunteers who are a valued part of our Circle of Friends. We appreciate your dedication to supporting our mission and sharing your time and talents with us. THANK YOU!!
We Love to Volunteer, Too!
In addition to finding paid employment opportunities, our Bridges to Work program encourages our participants to give back to the community. We are excited to announce a new partnership with The Company Theatre in Norwell. On Thursdays, a small group volunteers at the theatre and organizes their costumes. 

Calling All Families! We Need Your Help!

4th Annual Walk with Friends, June 4th
Wompatuck State Park, Hingham

Registration is NOW OPEN! Click here to register. We ask that families walk as a team and/or send a fundraising link to out-of-state friends and family. We are grateful to the Byrne family - Wally, Lisa and Brian - for volunteering to chair the event. This year's Walk is dedicated to Andrew Lawson, a Friendship Home member who is undergoing chemotherapy. Andrew's sister Bridget, who is a staff member, is selling #lawsonstrong gear for his family and friends to wear in support of Andrew. 

All Walk proceeds will benefit our Social Recreational Program. #Lawsonstrong sales do not benefit Friendship Home. 

Dine in or take out food at NYAJ on
Wednesdays in May!
NYAJ will donate 15% of sales to
Friendship Home 

Click here to print out a certificate for your participation in this promotion. NYAJ is one of our Employment Partners and has employed Andrew Lawson for about 1 year. NYAJ has also signed up as a Food Sponsor for our Walk with Friends. 
Bridges to Work
3 New Employment Partners
 
If you visit these businesses, please thank them for hiring our participants. 
BTW Employee of the Month

David Turgeon
7-Eleven

David works independently at two 7-Eleven locations in Hingham. He performs his tasks efficiently and in a timely manner.  His managers and co-workers appreciate David's work ethic and ability to switch tasks if needed. We are proud of David and know that he will continue to succeed. Keep up the hard work!
Staff Spotlight

Tim McLaughlin is a devoted part-time direct support staff member who has been with Friendship Home for 3 years. He assists with weekend respite care, facilitates classes and runs Post Program groups for Bridges to Work. Tim also brings a positive energy and his caring, warm way with our participants is truly valued. Thank you, Tim, for all of your hard work!
From Our Cafe 

Pasta Primavera - Click for recipe
Social recreational programs
Save the Dates!
Ice Cream Social

Tuesday, June 20th
6:00 p.m. at Friendship Home
Open to all families and friends! Come and enjoy a delicious sundae prepared by our participants. 
Theme parties

May 13    Cinco de Mayo

June 17   Friendship Home in Outer Space

Please remember to sign up no later than the Monday prior to a Theme Party to ensure proper staffing, supplies and meals. 

Upcoming Outings  

May 6th         Charlotte's Webb (2 spots open)

June 10th      Kayaking on the Charles River

June 11th      Pawtucket Red Sox

June 24th      Low-impact Paintball

Friendship Home Follies
Sunday, May 21st
Thayer Academy - Center for the Arts

Buy your tickets today! Proceeds will benefit Social Recreational Programs. We will sell 50/50 raffle tickets along with gifts made by our participants under the guidance of volunteer Kathie Spataro. Check out the beautiful Lion King masks that Gina Froio designed and created. 
We expect a sell-out!

Development
Annual Friendship Home Golf Classic
Thursday, Sept. 14th

CrossWinds Golf Club and
Indian Pond Country Club


Summer Solstice Celebration
Saturday, June 17th
Solstice Restaurant, Kingston 
Proceeds will benefit Friendship Home. 
Click here to purchase tickets ($100/ticket).
Enjoy great food and dance to music by local band Despite Dwight on a summer evening. 
Overnight Respite
Weekend or Extended Stay

If you would like to learn more about our Home Away from Home overnight  respite  center or are interested in an extended stay, please contact Respite Director  Jade  Purington at  781-659-8207 x31  or  jpurington@friendshiphome.net . You must complete an intake process before your loved one can stay with us. 
Celebrate with Us at Our Home Away from Home
Is your loved one celebrating a birthday or a special event? Did you know we often host stays for groups of friends who would like to celebrate the event together at our Home Away from Home? We can fulfill most wishes of our respite guests.You simply need to bring the cake. Let us help make your loved ones' next celebration a weekend to remember!  For more information contact Jade Purington at 781-659-8207 x31 or jpurington@friendshiphome.net
Community Calendar

Save the Date for a Village Stroll - Perfect for Mother's Day Gifts

Please mark your calendars for this wonderful event, which will feature the talented artisans and small businesses located at 376 Washington Street in Norwell from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 13th. Jane Cragin Walsh, the talented owner of Coastal Art Glass, created the beautiful stained glass window at Friendship Home's main entry, and Lori Cook, owner of Fork in the Road, has catered a few of our meetings. Both have earned high marks from us!! Perfect opportunity to buy Mother's Day gifts. 

Friendship Home | 781-659-8202 | friendshiphome.net