YACHAD - Circle of Friends A Program to Reach Children & Teens with Special Needs in Our Community. YACHAD - Circle of Friends extends a helping hand to families who have children and teens with special needs and involves them in a full spectrum of Jewish and social experiences. YACHAD - Circle of Friends introduces teenage volunteers to the children and through shared experiences both are enriched. Every member of the Jewish community deserves to share the joys of the Jewish experience. Sharing our tradition with those who have special needs is particularly rewarding. Home with Friends Every week pairs of teenage volunteers visit children in their homes, offering friendship and sharing activities. These teens are specially trained for their valuable role as friend and mentor. Sunday Circle/Teen Scene On Sundays throughout the school year our teenage volunteers and their special friends spend many wonderful hours together. In a fun filled atmosphere they participate in sports, music, and art and learn about their Jewish heritage, holidays and traditions. Professionals in the field of special education and therapists lead the activities. Sunday Circle/Teen Scene is held monthly from 2:00 - 4:00 PM Wednesday Circle YACHAD - Circle of Friends hosts a monthly program on Wednesday nights, 6:30- 8:00 PM for adults with disabilities. Volunteers join in to socialize and together they enjoy music, art, dance, refreshments, cooking, baking and other special activities. Sibling Support Groups "SibShops" provides opportunities for brothers and sisters of children with family members with special needs. Between creative discussions and fun times, siblings can acquire skills that they can use to face their own trying situations. Bar/Bat Mitzvah & Hebrew Learning YACHAD - Circle of Friends provides one-on-one tutorials for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and Hebrew subjects. We can also provide students aides within our Hebrew School classroom setting.(Fees will apply) YACHAD - Circle of Friends touches so many in our community. The child with special needs looks forward to a weekly visit and the opportunity to play with and learn from their older friends. The teenage volunteer learns the value of giving and cherishes the experience of making a difference in a child's life. The child's family gets a needed respite and the pleasure of seeing their child become part of the community. Together we are impacting our future by making a difference in the lives of children and teens in our community and helping them form a special bond. You can help! Do you know a teenager who would like to volunteer? Can you drive a volunteer to the home of their special friend? Do you know a family with a special needs child that would like a weekly visit from a teenage volunteer? Would you like to support our programs and help us continue the work of the Circle of Friends? We invite you to join YACHAD - Circle of Friends and become part of our family! Please contact: Freida Hecht, Director of YACHAD, CT at 203-866-0534- Email: friendship@snet.net YACHAD - Circle of Friends, is the CT affiliate of YACHAD/NJCD, The National Jewish Council for Disabilities.