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 2022-2023 FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM SYNOPSIS

Children’s Circle, Tween Scene, Teen Scene,

Movement Mondays, Art Circle, Swimming Circle, Equestrian Circle, Drama Circle, Friendship Circle Band, 

Social Circle, Life Skills Around Town, Friends at Home, Winter/Summer Camp, &

No School Fun Days

All of our programs have ROLLING ADMISSION, you can begin at any time!

 

CHILDREN’S CIRCLE is a drop-off program for children with special needs, ages 4 through 10, for 2 hours on Sundays, twice a month.  This program offers Music Therapy, Karate, Gymnastics, Fitness, Dance, Zumba, Arts & Crafts and so much more in a fun-filled setting. Sessions are led by trained specialists, physical and occupational therapists with dedicated Friendship Circle volunteers on hand to assist every child. (15 Sundays)

TWEEN SCENE is a drop-off program for Tweens with special needs, ages 11 through 14, for 2 hours on Sundays, twice a month.  This program offers Music Therapy, Karate, Gymnastics, Fitness, Dance, Zumba, Arts & Crafts and so much more in a fun-filled setting.  Sessions are led by trained specialists and physical & occupational therapists with dedicated Friendship Circle volunteers on hand to assist every child. (15 Sundays) 

TEEN SCENE is for teens with special needs ages 15+. It takes place on Sundays for 2 hours, twice a month. Teens and their Friendship Circle volunteers enjoy Jam Sessions, Drama & Theatre, Creative Movement, Rhythm, Zumba, Martial Arts, Crafts and so much more. (15 Sundays)
 

2022-2023 CHILDREN’S CIRCLE, TWEEN & TEEN SCENE DATES:

OCTOBER 2, 2022

FEBRUARY 5, 2023

OCTOBER 23, 2022

FEBRUARY 26, 2023

NOVEMBER 6, 2022

MARCH 5, 2023 - Walking4Friendship

NOVEMBER 20, 2022

MARCH 26, 2023

DECEMBER 4, 2022

APRIL 16, 2023

DECEMBER 18, 2022

APRIL 30, 2023

JANUARY 8, 2023

MAY 7, 2023

JANUARY 22, 2023

MAY 21, 2023 - Morning of Talent

FRIENDS AT HOME:  Is a unique program that provides our children with the chance to bond with their Friendship Circle volunteers in an environment in which they are very comfortable, their own homes.  Volunteers work with their special friend and their families to establish a schedule that works for both.  With so much to look forward to at these visits, children wait all week for their volunteers to show up at their doorsteps. 
 

Friendship Circle Mondays: 

Art Circle - Session 1: Oct. 24 - Feb. 6 (13 classes) Session 2: Feb. 13 - May 22 (13 classes)

Movement Mondays - Session 1: Oct. 24 - Feb. 6 (13 classes)  Session 2: Feb. 13 - May 22 (13 classes)

 

(No classes on 12/26, 1/2, 1/16, 2/20, 3/20)

Movement / Zumba Mondays is an engaging, high energy and fun, drop-off dance program on Mondays from 4:30PM – 5:30PM. Children have the opportunity to enjoy Zumba, dance, camaraderie and movement under the instruction of Stacey Harris. 

ART CIRCLE is a program in which participants will learn various techniques of art, and get to use many different mediums with our fabulous art instructor Angela Bolanos. This program is from 4 - 5PM on Mondays. Dedicated Friendship Circle volunteers will be on hand to assist and bond with the participants.



Friendship Circle Tuesdays: 

Session 1:  Swimming Circle - October 25 - December 20  (9 Tuesdays)

Session 2: Equestrian Circle - January 10 - March 28  (10 Tuesdays)

Session 3: Swimming Circle - April 4 - May 16 (7 Tuesdays)


Swimming Circle is a program in which children will receive 30 minutes of instructional swimming and 30 minutes of free play. Participants will learn different techniques according to their skill level and classes will be adapted for beginner, intermediate and advanced swimmers. Dedicated Friendship Circle volunteers will be on hand to assist and bond with the children. Space is limited and enrollment is first come first served. Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30PM.

Equestrian Circle is a program in which children will participate in 30 minutes of instructed ride time and 30 minutes of grooming. Whispering Manes offers children with special needs the opportunity to interact with dedicated horses in a manner that promotes physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Committed Friendship Circle volunteers will be on hand to assist and bond with the children. Space is limited and enrollment is first come first served. Tuesdays from 4:30-5:30PM.

Friendship Circle Wednesdays:

Friendship Circle Band - October 19 - May 24  (26 Wednesdays)

Drama Circle - Session 1: Oct. 19 - Feb. 1 (13 classes)  Session 2: Feb. 8 - May 24 (13 classes) 

(No classes on 11/23, 12/28, 1/4, 3/22, 4/5, 4/12)

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE BAND is a program in which children will be exposed to the guitar, keyboard and drums as they learn to play their favorite tunes with our gifted music instructors from Mind and Melody. Each child will have a wonderful experience playing all the instruments in class together with their dedicated volunteers. Band members will be performing at our Morning of Talent and our Annual Evening of Tribute.  Wednesdays, 4:30PM -5:30PM. This program is offered at no charge courtesy of funding through Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and The Children’s Trust. (SPACE IS LIMITED)

DRAMA CIRCLE is a program in which participants will gain experience in performing, singing songs and using their imaginations to build theater skills. Classes will be facilitated by gifted instructors from Area Stage Company. Wednesdays, 5 - 6PM. Ages 10 and Up.

Friendship Circle Thursdays:

Life Skills Around Town - Session 1: Oct. 20 - Feb. 2 (12 classes) Session 2: Feb. 9 - May 25 (13 classes) 

Social Circle - Session 1: Oct. 20 - Feb. 2 (12 classes)  Session 2: Feb. 9 - May 25 (13 classes) 

(No classes on 11/17, 11/24, 12/29, 1/5, 3/23, 4/6, 4/13)

LIFE SKILLS AROUND TOWN Teens and pre-teens will board the Friendship Circle bus and visit local venues to learn appropriate behavior at each location. Some of the locations include the supermarket, the post office and the library, among others. (Thursdays, 4:00PM – 6:00PM) Ages 11 and Up

SOCIAL CIRCLE A program where parents can drop-off their children for 2 hours, giving them some social interaction and a chance to hang out with their friends, while providing respite for parents. Friendship Circle will provide different games and activities for the participants to play with, under the supervision of a therapist. (Thursdays, 4 - 6PM)

NO SCHOOL FUN DAYS  - Winter Camp/Summer Camp gives children with special needs the opportunity to enjoy their break from school for VETERANS DAY, MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, and PRESIDENTS DAY. Together, with our dedicated teen volunteers and therapists, children will participate in exciting field trips, activities, sports, art, and so much more. 

 

2022-2023 IMPORTANT FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE DATES TO SAVE:

September 11, 2022 – Welcome Back BBQ

October 26, 2022 - Dads Night Out

November 17, 2022 – Heart and Soul Gala

November 6, 2022 - Family Fun Day

November 11, 2022 - No School Fun Day - Veteran’s Day

November 29, 2022 - Mom’s Night Out

January 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th – Friendship Circle Winter Camp

January 16, 2023 – No School Fun Day – Martin Luther King Day

February 5, 2023 – Family Fun Day

February 20, 2023 - No School Fun Day - Presidents Day

February 28, 2023 – Mom’s Night Out

March 5, 2023 – Walking 4 Friendship

May 21, 2023 – Morning of Talent

May 23, 2023 - Evening of Tribute