Haverford College Students Helping Youths with Special Needs

PHILADELPHIA - April 3, 2015 - PRLog -- For many teens and young adults with special needs, the social connections that typically define this stage of life can be difficult to achieve. With this in mind, student volunteers from Haverford College will host young people from the nonprofit Friendship Circle of Philadelphia for an evening of recreational and community service activities on April 19, 2015.

Called Haverford Circle, the upcoming, 90-minute program comes just one week before the Friendship Circle celebrates its 10-year anniversary of helping youths with special needs, at a gala at the Hilton Philadelphia City Avenue.  That event, on April 26, 2015, will recognize the organization’s volunteers and thank them for their service.

“Haverford Circle engages teens and young adults with special needs who are not served elsewhere through social programs.  Participants and their volunteer buddies can practice life skills, pursue their own interests, hang out with friends their own age, and give back through community service activities,” said Chani Baram, program director of Friendship Circle – Philadelphia Region South, which serves Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties.  “And the students’ participation in Haverford Circle can help them realize the potential they have to make a difference in someone else’s life and recognize their value and self-worth.”

The Haverford Circle is divided into three 30-minute sessions, starting with an activity designed around motion or music; a community service initiative, such as rolling, baking and shaping challah rolls for St. John's Hospice through Haverford's Loaves of Love program; and a family-style dinner to provide time for participants and the college volunteers to socialize in a more relaxed setting, while involving them in setting the table and cleaning up after the meal.

Haverford Circle runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and will meet on campus in Whitehead Campus Center.   The program is open to those ages 14 and older.  The event will be preceded by a group sabbath dinner on Friday, April 17, 2015.  To fill out a sign-up form so your child can attend, visit http://www.phillyfriendship.com or e-mail info@phillyfriendship.com.

About Friendship Circle

Friendship Circle lets children and teens with special needs enjoy many of the social and recreational opportunities afforded to the community at large.  Founded by Lubavitch House in 2004, Friendship Circle has touched lives in the Jewish community and beyond through its core youth programs, its support for the families of children with special needs, and volunteer opportunities for teenagers and adults.  For more information, visit http://www.phillyfriendship.com.