“Yasmine and Karina been face timing every week at the usual time Katrina comes to our place. She is wonderful, I can not believe how much they talk and how much Yasmine has improved with her conversation skill.
Thank you to you and Friendship Circle!”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“We really lucked out with Jenna living down the street from us. Jenna comes weekly to bake with Maya or ‘hang out!’ It’s great for her to have a friend and Jenna relates really well with Maya. Jenna even gets the super rare hugs from Maya!”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“Jenna is a 10 our of 10 great person! Friendship Circle helps me to meet new people.”
— Child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“Working with Friendship Circle has been an amazing opportunity. I have learned lots about how to react to my own special needs child as well as meet such an amazing family whom I have become very close with over the past few months. Working with Maya has taught me so much, she has taught me about myself. I hope to continue working with Maya and her family for years to come. It is something I look forward to every week, and I believe she does too. We’ve developed a friendship, and I’m so grateful for that. Volunteering for Friendship Circle has been such a positive experience for me, and I have suggested it to many others as well.”
— Friendship Circle volunteer
Rahie has been having blast with Daniel. They got along so well. Thank you again to the Friendship Circle program. So far this program has been a reward for Rahie.”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“Last night I received a free spa treatment, of my choice, as a gift from the Friendship Circle at Renu Spa in Westboro Ottawa. We parents of children with, sometimes prodigious, special needs, are often burdened to our eyeballs. To be acknowledged by being offered anything, let along a gift created to allow us parents to feel taken care of was a remarkable experience. I say this not out of a juvenile need to be seen but in recognition of the bigger picture within the greater needs of our children, that it’s quite easy to forget about oneself altogether. Perhaps it isn’t surprising that this would be the group to extend in their generous understanding of what friendship means. And the first rule of friendship is the recognition of another’s value. Devora made this clear when she introduced the history of Friendship Circle and said, “that everyone deserved a friend”, which touched me deeply. There were plentiful healthy foods offered; living water and traditional drinks. And friendship. The other mothers there were as willing to share their stories as Friendship Circle shared their support and love. Elinore, the exceptional coordinator of the offering was in attendance too. So many women, so many stories, and so many similarities that quickly, it felt like home. I thank everyone at Friendship Circle again, and the mothers who I met as well. For one wonderful night it was okay to be me, and to talk about my children in an honest and open light that never once called into question my loyalty or love as a parent. I felt seen, heard and appreciated. Is there anything else required in a friendship?”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“… Friendship Circle has been extremely beneficial for my son with autism. Getting the opportunity to practice conversation and fine tune his social skills has been an invaluable experience for him. He looks forward to his video calls from his buddy and the staff from the Friendship Circle ensured a seamless transition.
I can't thank them enough for providing this opportunity to youth in our community on the autism spectrum.”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“Friendship Circle has been such treasured gift in these crazy times in which we find ourselves presently. My daughter began her twice weekly chats with her online buddy just a little over 3 weeks ago. With all the physical distancing protocols in place, the bubbly, fun filled video chats have provided some much-needed lifting of the spirits which she looks forward to immensely each and every Monday and Thursday. An absolute fabulous program – bravo.”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“Ky and Teagan got to talk by kids messenger facetime on Sunday for the first time and even though Teagan was shy at first, she warmed up to Ky quite well. By the end Teagan was chatting away with her and was happy/excited. That is pretty good for Teagan so it is safe to say it went very well. Ky was well prepared. We have set up weekly chats to start. As Teagan gets to know her more, Ky is open to meeting more frequently and for longer than just the hour. Thank you so much for this, I am so grateful!”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
Gabriel looks forward to his time with Ryan every week! There is a great connection between he and Ryan. In the past two weeks, Gabe is now writing out what he did during each day of the previous week as a reminder. And Terry and I are working with Gabe on his social skills about reciprocal conversation. He is also looking up jokes on the Internet to tell Ryan! "Why did the bicycle collapse? It was too tired." :D Our family is grateful to know Ryan, and we hope the connection lasts well after Covid. We'd love to have Ryan here for dinners and hanging out. Terry really enjoys chatting with Ryan about chemical engineering and I think it mentors this idea of reciprocal conversation for Gabe.
All in all, we are so grateful!
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
Sarah is always fun to play with. She is always on time, reliable, and cheerful. She is creative, warm, friendly, and has a good sense of humor. I look forward to seeing her every week and she has become an important part of my life.
— Friendship Circle participant
“Rahie came long away since he met Daniel…Daniel always make sure to check on Rahie [from] time to time and they go for a drive or walk… or they meet virtually .
Last few years… have been… quite a bit challenging …but Rahie and Daniel always made sure to connect with each other, mostly virtually, and this gave Rahie someone to interact and or share his emotional needs with as he has gone through lots of anxieties. Daniel has been [a] God-sent for Rahie . He appreciates when Daniel takes time to talk to [him] and give him helpful advice, like a friend .
I appreciate Daniel [for] what he has been doing for Rahie, and he became a part of of our family .
Thank you so much Elinore and Friendship Circle for this beautiful gift for Rahie .
We very much appreciated”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“She is always fun to play with. She is always on time, reliable, and cheerful. She is creative, warm, friendly, and has a good sense of humor. I look forward to seeing her every week and she has become an important part of my life.”
—Friendship Circle participant
“Rebecca has been amazing with Malachi! He lovingly calls her Rebecca rabbit and asks for her every day when I first pick him up from daycare. She is open to meeting whenever is convenient for me and provides an hour of fun for Malachi allowing me extra time to work on school. She is patient and such a blast to spend time with. Malachi adores her! Attached is a photo of them rolling around on the grass near by our place - she is quite literally up to do whatever plans Malachi has put together”
— Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“Erin is phenomenal and has been extremely helpful, kind and thoughtful.”
—Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle
“"Friendship Circle has provided me with an opportunity like no other. It is difficult to put in words exactly how life-changing it has been to develop and maintain a friendship like the one Rahie and I have. On the surface, it may seem like you are helping others develop life skills and lasting friendships, but you will soon find it is so much more than just that. Friendship Circle offers an opportunity to grow as an individual with someone who can provide a unique and very special perspective, allowing you to become the best you that you can be."
— Friendship Circle Volunteer
“Thank you again Elinore!!! The kids and I had a blast. It's definitely what was needed in our house. Mackenzie was a very happy camper to meet your daughter Lily. Those 2 seem to be kindred spirits…Christopher was ecstatic about meeting a new friend- I had a happy sigh and this morning a few happy tears. He seems to be happier person.”
—Parent of child enrolled in Friendship Circle