Dear friend,
Things have been super busy and exciting with the opening of the Friendship Circle Center for Special Needs. This new resource has already enhanced the ability to deliver vital services to the special needs community through its various therapy hubs: the vibrant Art Therapy Studio, the professionally equipped Instructional Kitchen, and the Snoezelen Multi-Sensory Therapy Room - all of which are my "favorite" rooms in the center! Our state-of-the-art facility is the region’s most comprehensive and multifaceted special needs center, and it will allow us to expand and deepen our offerings to those with disabilities.
I am happy to report that Friendship Circle’s social and recreational programs and sports leagues continue to see record enrollment of both volunteers and individuals with physical and developmental disabilities.
Please come visit us at the Center and see what we have to offer! Check out different ways to get involved!
Wishing you a most Happy New Year and looking forward to seeing you soon!
Chani Mintz
P.S. Please consider a year end gift to bring a smile to a child with special needs and help fund these vital programs and services for our special friends. - Please Click Here
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TERRY AND TONI MANDEL McDONALD
Friendship Circle Culinary Arts
INSTRUCTIONAL KITCHEN
We are very excited to kick off our Hertzberg Family Culinary Arts Cooking Program, life-skill kitchen training and food safety instruction for young adults with social and developmental disabilities in our state-of-the-art instructional kitchen. Professional chefs and commercial kitchen managers assist in teaching young adults culinary skills, enabling them to be able to be placed and receive gainful employment in commercial kitchens and restaurants, including food preparation, plate presentation, service protocols and kitchen safety and sanitation. Remember - The secret ingredient is always LOVE!
Our Young Adult Circle program is already using the kitchen, teaching our young adults with disabilities how to navigate a kitchen and learn basic cooking skills. The participants and their volunteer buddies meet for socializing, games, music, and activities tailored to their age group. The highlight is when everyone comes together to prepare and share a delicious, nutritious dinner together.
In the near future, the community will be invited to patronize our bakery/confection counter which will offer fresh-baked challahs, health breads and cookies.
The Terry and Toni Mandel McDonald Instructional Kitchen is one component of the therapy wing of the center which also includes an Art Therapy Studio and a Snoezelen Therapy Room.
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WELCOME YANINA!
We are excited to welcome Yanina Feinerman who will be leading our Therapy department with our various therapies, with emphasis on the Snoezelen Multi-sensory room. We are working with our partners in Israel as well as Occupational Therapists who provide therapy for the special children. This room has specifically adapted harmonious sensory stimuli which dramatically impacts the sense of well being of people with disabilities, relaxing and refocusing them and arousing their curiosity and exploration and also serves as a perfect setting for children to absorb multiple forms of therapy. for more information email Yanina
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This past summer, several Friendship Circle buddies participated in a special day of adaptive water sports at the US Adaptive Recreation Center located in Big Bear. Assisted by specially trained volunteers, our members enjoyed a full day on the water, including kayaking and water skiing. Everyone who attended said it was an amazing experience!
We are once again able to offer this special experience to a limited number of participants for a day of adaptive skiing. The date for Winter event is Tuesday, January 18. If your child is interested and you haven’t already RSVPed, please email Lisa We have just a few spots remaining.
Special thanks to Amy and Michael Stoll for sponsoring this amazing event.
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SELF-CARE FOR CAREGIVERS
A new booklet, Self-Care for Caregivers, was recently released as part of our continuing series addressing issues of mental health and the pandemic. Designed to foster the emotional well-being of parents and caregivers, this booklet provides inspiration and practical advice via insights from leading mental health professionals.
Often, caregivers put themselves last. The advice in this publication will help them develop strategies for emotional and physical well-being, leading to the modeling of healthy behaviors and coping mechanisms.
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MICHAEL DURRANT
I am in 11th grade at TVT. I have now been working with Friendship Circle for almost 4 years and I have enjoyed every minute of it. At my brother's recommendation I decided to volunteer at Basketball Buddies and I loved it! I felt very lucky to be involved with an organization that brought happiness into people's lives through personal connection and sports.
Since I loved Basketball Buddies so much I joined Soccer Stars and I am now proud to be one of the head coaches of that program. I love the feeling of teaching the participants some new soccer skills and seeing them smile and feel good about themselves.
I love volunteering because I am always grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives. I would like to thank Chani and the team at Friendship Circle for providing these amazing opportunities to both participants and volunteers. I love volunteering with Friendship Circle, and I can't wait for my next event!
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JENNIFER KIM
I am a senior at Crean Lutheran High School. When I heard about Friendship Circle and saw the mission of providing friendship to children with special needs, I immediately wanted to apply. I have taught art since I was a freshman, and I believe that one of the greatest reasons art is so important is that it allows children from all backgrounds and abilities to communicate with each other and express their thoughts.
I was very nervous when I first started teaching, but after the first lesson I was touched by how much the friends in Sunday Circle cared for each other, and how enthusiastic they were to make art! I am very glad that I was able to help our friends learn about art and express themselves creatively.
Friendship Circle has helped me learn how important communicating and sharing with each other is, especially during the pandemic, and that everyone can find a way to enjoy art! Thank you so much to Stephaney and Chani for helping me organize and plan all the activities, and I look forward to continuing teaching with Friendship Circle.
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Our Sunday Circles are bigger and better than ever! We’ve enjoyed seeing our returning friends and meeting many new participants and volunteers. Our art projects have included decorating pumpkins with paint and glitter, paintings made with cut apples, and our music leaders, Wesley and Valerie got us all dancing with lively tunes and funs instruments.
Gift giving Sunday Circle: Hundreds of our special children, teens and young adults with special needs all received holiday gifts selected especially for them.
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Young Adult Circle is back in full swing, and we are cooking dinner together in the brand new, beautifully equipped Friendship Circle Instructional Kitchen. We also visit the Teen Lounge to play Foosball and Ping Pong, play games and hang out together. |
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BASKETBALL BUDDIES
Our longest running sports program, Basketball Buddies, teaches the special children, teens and adults the value of teamwork while enjoying a sport they love. This program is lead by coach Henry Macdonald.
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TENNIS TEAMS
The newest program added to our expanding sports leagues was initiated by Spencer Sharpe, a talented tennis player. The kids’ hand-eye coordination is improving, and they are learning a sport that can be played with a group or just one other person. Players of all levels are welcome to participate.
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SOCCER STARS
Coaches Michael Durrant and Christina Vega, continue to teach the kids soccer skills. Through the soccer program, the kids are learning teamwork and perseverance that will help them in other areas of their lives. Each session begins with a warm-up followed by playing a scrimmage. All skill levels are welcome.
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ART PROGRAMS - COMING IN 2022
Say it with art! Our Art Therapy Studio is a vibrant setting for nurturing creativity geared towards positive behavioral changes. Courses to be offered include painting, drawing, and sculpting.
To be enroll in our upcoming courses please email Lisa.
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This past year, in the midst and in the aftermath of the pandemic, Friendship Circle saw record enrollment of families of children, teens and adults with special needs. We also had our best year of volunteer registrations.
Not yet involved? Sign up today to bring smiles to a special child in 2022. Register here.
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NOW IT IS YOUR TURN TO LEAD US FORWARD
Planned Giving to the Friendship Circle Endowment shows your commitment to ensuring that no individual is left behind. This is your moment to empower each person to express their talents and reach their potential, both now and in the future.
Join with Friendship Circle through the loving act of Planned Giving by leading your community to a strong and vibrant future. This is your moment.
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Your gift will bring friendship, opportunity and inclusion to children with special needs. |
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2240 University Dr. | Newport Beach, CA 92660 | 949-721-9800 |
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