Friendship Circle

My life in full circle

My husband and I moved to Michigan eight years ago from California. We arrived completely alone, knowing no one. After a few weeks, we met a couple named Yisrael & Devorah Pinson and we immediately became friends. One night, Yisrael invited us to go downtown for a fundraising dinner. We had no idea what the dinner was for, but the lure of good food and the opportunity to meet new people motivated our attendance. The dinner was held for an organization called, “The Friendship Circle.” And they were trying to raise the funds for a facility. In their words, they hoped to build a facility that would “house friendship for kids with special needs.” A unique concept we had never heard of before. After hearing the story and viewing their very detailed plans we were blown away. And of course, signed on as supporters of The Friendship Circle. Another new development was occurring in our life at that same time. We were pregnant. A year after our daughter was born, we began noticing her developmental delays. Her “milestones” were not being met and we soon realized she had special needs but were unaware of the exact diagnosis. Only time would tell. In May of 2006, The Friendship Circle reached a milestone in their life during the grand opening of their facility, Ferber Kaufman LifeTown. At this grand opening, they announced a new event that would continue the funding for all the wonderful programs provided within their brand new facility. This event was called “Walk4Friendship” and it would become a yearly event for the community. Inspired and excited, my husband and I went home that night and immediately signed up as walkers. We committed ourselves to the development of LifeTown and now, we committed ourselves to continue our support as The Friendship Circle grew into its shiny new pair of shoes. Bassie Shemtov, the director of LifeTown, didn’t even know I existed at this time. However, as my name began infiltrating her inbox with donation alerts from our fundraising campaign, she became curious as to whom the mystery fundraisers were. As those of you who know Bassie, she called me up and we have been friends ever since. It’s just that easy at The Friendship Circle. Then one day we got the Autism diagnosis and our lives changed forever. On my wayhome from the clinic, still shell shocked and sobbing, Bassie called my cell phone about something completely unrelated. By the time I got home, Bassie was on my doorstep with a hug and shoulder to cry on. The Friendship Circle fell into our lives during our years as a new couple, living in a new city. When we committed to support the building of LifeTown, my husband and I never dreamed the little soul within my belly would someday need those rooms and rely upon the love of those volunteers. But G-d had a plan. And although life has handed us challenge after challenge, it has also given us an amazing support system within The Friendship Circle. And I am just one of thousands of families who feel this same way. Rarely does a week go by that we do not get stopped in public by teenagers who know my daughter. They recognize her from pictures around The Friendship Circle, they know her from volunteering with her one day – she has become a little rock star in the lives of those teens. That is a true testament to the community that The Friendship Circle has built. That is exactly the kind of community that I want surrounding my child. To date, my family and I have participated in all five Walk4Friendships. My mother in law had the opportunity to tour LifeTown a few years ago. She too was “blown away” and she took it upon herself to fundraiser all summer and fly out to Michigan every year for Walk4Friendship. We will be there Friday, leaps and bounds from the spot we stood in eight years ago, but still surrounded by the same loving community that welcomed us to Michigan, inspired us to get involved, supported us when we couldn’t stand and gave my child friendship when she needed it most.

Join me and 7,000 other supporters, families, volunteers and children when we walk as a community in honor of the precious gift that The Friendship Circle provides to families like mine.

Visit www.wallk4friendship.com to donate and register for Walk4Friendship