‘Friendship Walk’ reaches out with hands — and feet

By Sandy Golden

SAN DIEGO — This was the third year I had walked in “The Friendship Walk”, which annually begins the day of the San Diego Community-wide celebration of Yom Hatz ma out”, Israel Independence Day.

Why did I walk?

I had chosen to participate in “The Walk,” for several reasons. Sunday, May 18, was a beautiful day.  I knew friends who were participating. I knew it was for a worthy cause. I knew it was to help children with Special Needs. But that was all I knew until , I met Elisheva Green, the extraordinary San Diego Founder of “The Friendship Circle” and had the opportunity to talk with several of the wonderful teen-age volunteers who are an integral part of this program. I saw  how these teenagers, because of their unusually strong commitment in their one-to-one relationships with a special-needs child, had already made a difference–a difference which could only be measured in terms of a child’s smile; a difference in a child’s self-confidence; a difference in filling a void with friendship, laughter and a zest for life!

The Friendship Circle, is a national organization which began in Michigan, and was started in San Diego nine years ago by Elisheva Green. Green saw the value of interaction of matching up teen volunteers with special needs children. The results have benefitted and empowered both the special needs child and the teenager, according to their parents.

Some of these teens, who had started with the program when they were in 8^th grade, have now been involved for several years, because they have seen the result of their efforts.

Darren Schwartz enthusiastically related “how great” and “fantastic” it was that the Sabra Team Foundation at Beth Am had just given The Friendship Circle a $500 donation.

At first, Emanuel Bortz said,” I thought it would be a one-time thing.  I first got involved with the “Friends at Home” part of the program, he explained. I just visited a friend once every week, but overtime I could see how his social skills were getting better and better,” and so he continued.

Dania Halperin at Torah High says that it is so important to be part of this program. “Most of the time people with special needs don’t feel that they belong. When they have a friend, they have a sense of belonging and show positive growth.”

“The Walk is to raise awareness” so that these kids can have the same kinds of experiences that other kids do, explained Marcia Jaffe. It’s really easy to get involved. You have to be at least in 8^th grade. Just go to: www.FriendshipCircleSD.com.

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Sandy Golden is a freelance writer and educator based in San Diego.   She may be contacted via sandy.golden@sdjewishworld.com