Friendship Circle

Friendship Circle International [Interview]

Looking back at the last 16 years it is amazing and heartwarming to see the unbelievable growth that Friendship Circle has a achieved! To think that a small idea has created something so big is truly amazing.  Because of this growth The Friendship Circle International Office was created with the goal to provide resources and support to all the Friendship Circle chapters. FCFriend's Lauren Todaro sat down with Friendship Circle International's Director Rabbi Benzion Groner for a few questions. LT: What is Friendship Circle International? How does it relate to local Friendship Circle organizations? BG: FC International (FCI) is the central office of the Friendship Circle. FCI facilitates the opening of new Friendship Circle branches worldwide, as well as supporting our existing branches with resources to grow and develop. FCI also launches international campaigns that local chapters benefit from. LT: Why was FC International created? BG: As interest in opening new Friendship Circle branches spread, The Friendship Circle founders realized that in order to allow the organization to grow properly and create a global impact it would be most beneficial to unify the organization through a central office under the auspices of The Shluchim Office. The goal was to ensure that the new branches would receive the necessary support and attention while relieving the founding FC centers in Michigan and New Jersey from having to provide extensive guidance at the expense of their existing programming. LT: Specifically, what services does FC International provide to other Friendship Circles? BG: For our new Friendship Circles we provide beginner materials including: a start-up manual, a Friends@Home kit, and various audio tutorials. For existing branches we provide program resources such as The Friends@Home Activity Series, program guides and tutorials, an online resource library and an email network to connect our many program coordinators. Administratively, we offer a management application for the Friends@Home program, and the MitzvahRewards.com mileage program which helps track volunteer’s community service hours and lets them earn prizes. We also have professional PR materials, stationary and award templates all of which are customizable. Aside from those resources, we hold two annual training conferences for directors and coordinators of Friendship Circle programs and one for volunteers as well. Even our nationally run programs benefit our local branches, like our online Parent Support Network and our new “Team Friendship” who will run in the upcoming NYC Marathon. LT: In developing new FC's around the world, what do you find is the most challenging part? BG: I wouldn’t say challenging, because that’s actually the most exciting part of what we do. I think the most important part of establishing new Friendship Circles is helping the potential director understand Friendship Circle’s approach and ensuring they recognize the unique potential of every individual. We know that our children have no problems, but a much sought-after solution of how to educate today’s teens in how to appreciate the value of life and not judge others based on external factors. We need our directors truly believe that and to commit to creating lasting relationships between our volunteers, children and their families. We need to "sell" them on the idea that Friendship Circle is a life mission and not just, “another program.” LT: What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of working at Friendship Circle International? BG: Without a doubt, seeing the enormous impact one individual can have on another is incredible. At FCI we have the privilege of seeing the ripple effect started by our special friends and volunteers as it spreads to create a more accepting global community. That’s what I find most rewarding. LT: In your opinion, why is The Friendship Circle such a successful, high-growth organization? BG: It’s a secret formula... .....Just joking:) Friendship Circle’s “secret formula” is based on the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s approach that every individual is put in this world with a neshama — soul, a part of G-d, and a unique mission. No two people are alike, as that would mean that G-d had created something superfluous and meaningless. Our job then is to help each other achieve our individual missions. When you sincerely believe that you are able to focus on the intrinsic value of each individual and the external differences no longer serve as distractions, allowing us to see the best in everyone. This has been the rallying call for teens across the world, empowering them to reach out and make a difference in the lives of so many children, though they are the first to admit that the difference is made in their own lives as well. It is this underlying foundation that has spurred our unusual growth and delivered our successes. LT: Is there a project or tool, developed by FC International, in which you are most proud of? BG: I’d say that our annual conferences, both for volunteers and directors, are most inspiring as they bring together different personalities, talents, and positive energy from around the world. Watching everyone interact with each other as close friends, sharing successes, touching stories, ideas and even challenges, reminds us that we’re all part of a powerful team unified by a mission and vision of greater acceptance. LT: Where would you like to see The Friendship Circle in 10 years? BG: We hope that by then there will be no need for Friendship Circle as our volunteers will have succeeded in making the world a friendlier, more sensitive place to live. If there is still a need for Friendship Circle then, we would love to see our teen volunteers at the forefront of the acceptance effort, leading by example in whatever fields they find themselves in. We’d like to see our message of “ability awareness” spread contagiously throughout communities, businesses, schools, and the media. We want parents of children with special needs to feel comfortable bringing their children to public places and not have to worry about the looks and advice they might get from strangers. We want siblings to feel confident enough to invite friends over, proud enough to introduce them to their brother or sister with special needs and secure enough to help their friends see past any external differences. It’s all happening already, but in 10 years we want to be the rule and not the exception! LT: If someone would like more information how should they contact you? BG: You can always visit our website at www.friendshipcircle.com. We have information about Friendship Circle including news, FC Locations, Volunteer Network, parent network, and more. If you have more specific questions you can always contact us by email on Facebook or on Twitter.

By The Numbers

2 The Number of Life Skills Villages in operation. (One in West Bloomfield, Michigan and one in Columbus, Ohio with more on the way) 8 countries have Friendship Circle Branches United States,England, Canada, China, Israel, South Africa,France,Australia 17 Friendship Circle walks take place each year 20 Friendship Circles located in New York State the most of any state (California is next with 9). 78 Friendship Circle Locations world wide 1994 Founding Friendship Circle opens in West Bloomfield Michigan 2005 Friendship Circle International founded 2010 Most recent Friendship Circle opens in Calgary, Canada 2,500 Students visit the Weinberg Village annually 5,761 is the Friendship Circle located at the Highest altitude - The Friendship Circle located in Johannesburg, South Africa 9,000 Children who have special needs currently benefit from Friendship Circle Programming 10,000 Teen Volunteers currently volunteer at Friendship Circles around the world