Friendship Circle of Virginia kicked off its 2022-2023 program year with over 100 people at Surge Adventure Park on Sunday, Oct. 2nd.
Children with disabilities, their siblings, parents, and teen friends had a great time jumping, shooting hoops, hanging out in the foam pits, and finally spending time with friends in person!
No one was without a friend at this event. Each person either met someone new or found an old friend, but everyone had someone to hang out with.
Teen friends jumped near those who weren’t able to stand on their own so they could experience the bouncy fun, or enjoyed the Zipline and basketball together with friends with disabilities. Teens from various public high schools and Shaarei Torah were part of the almost 30 teen friends who came out to see what Friendship Circle is all about.
The kickoff event was a chance for new families and teens to get to know more about Friendship Circle and their programs, but it was also a great opportunity for parents to connect and build a supportive community.
There were a number of new faces and several families that haven’t been able to attend events for quite some time due to their child being at high risk during the pandemic.
India Liption-Lesser said that her son Dylan “Stood without his leg braces which was so brave, and although he couldn’t do it for a long time, he enjoyed the event.”
Dr. Sarah Kranz Ciment, Director of Friendship Circle, said, “Being together again in-person after so long due to the pandemic, reminded us all why friendship is so important and why bringing people together for shared experiences and support is so vital.”
She continued, “There is just no substitute for seeing your friends and spending time together. The smiles on everyone’s faces – from our board members to our youngest child – were priceless!”
Everyone enjoyed snacks, cupcakes of varying flavors, a sensory table, and assembled their own goody bags in honor of all birthdays celebrated in October as part of FCVA’s monthly Birthday Circle Program.
Upcoming events include: Adaptive Gymnastics on Sunday, Nov. 13; Adaptive Horseback Riding on Sunday, Dec. 4; Chanukah on Ice on Sunday, Dec. 18; and Adaptive Rock Climbing on Sunday, Jan. 15. To find out more, or to register, go to friendshipcircleva.org/events.
Friendship Circle of Virginia is hiring! We are looking for an outgoing individual to handle their Friends Programs. This position is 10-15 hours per week including Sundays and requires some local travel. Please inquire at info@friendshipcircleva.org.
To learn more about Friendship Circle of Virginia, please visit our website at friendshipcircleva.org or call (804)740-2000×4.
See more photos from the recent event.
