Friendship Circle Story (In Montreal)

In the early 2000s, an organization was built in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and in some cities of the United States Of America. This organization had an objective: to promote friendship and inclusion within society, even to honor a legacy of a man, a community pillar whose unconditional love and acceptance knew no boundaries: Menachem Mendel Schneerson a.k.a. The Lubavitcher Rebbe or simply called the Rebbe (1902-1994). He fostered friendship, inclusion, and acceptance, helped the poor people through a charity act called Sunday Dollars, counseled and blessed many visitors, and advocated for special needs individuals through a letter he wrote to Robert Wilkes, an assistant program director, and chairman for the regional II Council for Mental Retardation in Brooklyn, New York, the U.S.A. in 1979. The name of the organization is The Friendship Circle.

Before the establishment of the Friendship Circle in Montreal, there were some families who had children with special needs ex. autism, down syndrome, etc. They suffered from pain and worry and at the same time, the young kids feared how society would view them. Some of them felt isolated and wished that they could have the same confidence as the other children. Even some were victimized or subjected to being bullied and treated differently. They had no place to go nor to make friends with before and that's when the Friendship Circle stepped in.

The Friendship Circle facilitated the needs of special needs kids by offering programs to build interaction skills, talents, life skills, and confidence, and teaching volunteers that every kid is also human and social interaction and to showcase kindness, open-mindedness, and patience.

Before the Friendship Circle acquired a permanent place to do their activities, the volunteers went to visit the respective residences of their friends in person for a 1 on 1 play date and they used a gym in another building to hold the activities. Soon, the Friendship Circle held a ground-breaking ceremony led by the Friendship Circle founder and directress Sima Paris and acquired a building, not too far from the Jewish General Hospital, where volunteers and individuals with special needs can meet, spend time together and build a meaningful bond of friendship. Even parents were invited to see and learn about the Friendship Circle, even through the eyes of their children. This continued to the present day. Both members and volunteers also volunteered in the community on some occasions ex. at the Mada Foodbank.

In February 2019, a year prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic (which outbroke in 2020), the Friendship Circle established a group project called The Friendship Revolution alongside the Canadian Government in order to break down social barriers of inclusion, to take initiative, inclusion, and leadership, even into their own hands, which involved leadership, teamwork, cooperation, and unity, even to possess positive characteristic qualities, and traits. In the revolution, groups of leaders make numerous teams to contribute ideas and small, but simple projects in order to reinforce inclusion, even to reach out within the communities. The Friendship Revolution films were filmed, produced, and released for the public to see.

In the present day, the Friendship Circle in Montreal continues to reach out within society by hosting winter camp, spring camp, and summer camp, they established a Friendship Connect program, planning outings, and even doing a Walk For Friendship on a yearly basis. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Friendship Circle purchased a vehicle and used it to go to the residences of children who can't go to the facility in person. They called their activity: Friends In The Neighborhood.

Through the news, the internet, and social media, the world became knowledgeable about the Friendship Circle, and some companies were inspired to form a partnership. In addition, 2 vocational programs: The Culinary Arts (Cooking) and the Art & Soul were taught at the facility, even to prepare students for the workforce, which is similar to the W.O.T.P. program operated at Summit School.

Whenever you go to the Friendship Circle, they'll always welcome you with an open heart and arms, and with a smile. Everyone can feel accepted, validated, and supported, and at the end of each day, we're human and worthy of love. The Power of Friendship and Inclusion can make a positive difference and change a person's life in a positive way, even forever. Never underestimate the power of friendship and inclusion.