Our Mission

Friendship Circle creates friendship in the lives of individuals with special needs and those facing isolation while providing an opportunity to become a contributing member of the community. Through our programming, Friendship Circle aims to promote an inclusive community that values all individuals regardless of the challenges they face.

Friendship Circle functions under the guidance of the Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa. Friendship Circle is non-sectarian/humanitarian and hopes to support all people in Ottawa and the surrounding areas, along with the Jewish community.

Our Goals

To provide those with special needs and their families with assistance and support by providing recreational, social, educational and vocational programming.

To provide teenagers and young adults with a valuable, selfless volunteer opportunity.

To have participants and volunteers alike gain valuable skills, have enjoyable fulfilling experiences and find life long friendships.

Our Team

Program Coordinator

SopHIE MOORS

Sophie graduated from Queen’s University in 2023 with a BSc in Mathematics and Economics. She is currently working as a mathematician in Ottawa and as a math tutor, tutoring high school students in the community. Sophie found a passion for volunteering with kids with special needs in high school, volunteering with a few programs across Ottawa through her high school. Sophie joined Friendship Circle in 2018 and is still currently volunteering with participants. Sophie became the coordinator of Friendship Circle in March 2025. Her role is to coordinate all aspects of the program, including volunteer recruitment, participant recruitment, event planning and program development. Sophie strives to expand recruitment of volunteers and participants in the hopes that more families and volunteers can experience the unique bond this program provides.

Director

Devora caytak

Devora Caytak moved to Ottawa with her husband Joseph in 1981.  As a co-founder of the Jewish Youth Library of Ottawa, she has made Friendship Circle a priority, emphasizing the beauty of friendship for children with special needs.  Starting with a seed grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2006, Friendship Circle continues to reach out to families in need, offer a valuable volunteer opportunity to volunteers and provide friendship to children and young adults.