Friendship Circle puts teens in contact with special kids
Innovative Chabad program a
win-win situation
By Lori Porter
porter@theacorn.com

MICHAEL COONS/The Acorn PURIM PARTY-Volunteer Chana Bryski and Miranda Bernstein listen to music during Sunday's Friendship Circle event at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills. The theme was "A Grand Purim Masquerade Party," and it involved teenagers connecting with children with special needs.

Many local children can now sing those familiar lyrics "I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends" with conviction, thanks to a Chabad of Agoura program called the Friendship Circle.

This relationship-oriented program reaches out to Jewish families that have children with special needs. It matches a teen volunteer with a child from a participating family.

Last Sunday the Friendship Circle hosted a Purim masquerade party at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills. Purim is one of the many festivals observed within the Jewish faith. Each teen volunteer accompanied a younger friend at the party, visiting various booths and different activities.

The Purim masquerade party included a "mad science" demonstration and presentations from local fire and police departments. In addition, the kids could participate in baking hamantasch, a type of bread with three pinched corners. It was named after a character who wore a three-cornered hat in the book of Esther.

The Friends at Home program is at the center of the Friendship Circle. A volunteer meets with his or her child on a weekly basis in the youngster’s home. Together they can bake cookies, play games, create art projects, play sports, read books or just talk.

The program has volunteer coordinators who make the arrangements and teach the teen volunteers how to build meaningful relationships with special children. The coordinators oversee the work to keep the relationships running smoothly.

The Friendship Circle conducts holiday programs (such as the one on Sunday) about once a month. The children learn about and celebrate the Jewish holidays in a fun, exciting and interactive way.

Although this organization, which started 10 years ago in Michigan, made its way to Agoura Hills just last year, it’s already come a long way. There are currently more than 50 families participating and more than 150 volunteers.

Several events are planned for the near future. These include an exercise event for the kids at Elite Fitness in Thousand Oaks, a dinner for moms, a Special Sibling Supper (where kids can discuss disabilities of their brother or sister) and a Passover party for the entire Friendship Circle group.

For more information or to volunteer, visit the Website at www.friendshipcircleca.com or call the Friendship Circle at (818) 991-0991.