Description:

Friendship Circle’s mission is to create friendship in the lives of children, teens, and adults with special needs and those facing isolation while providing opportunities to become contributing members of the community. Through programming, Friendship Circle promotes an inclusive  community that values all individuals. Because of generous supporters, we now offer educational, recreational, social, and vocational training programs to accomplish this mission at three facilities in Southeast Michigan, the Meer Center, the Farber Center, and Dakota Bread Company.

Friendship Circle is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1994 and affiliated with Lubavitch of Michigan and inspired by the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe of righteous memory. The organization has built a reputation for excellence in the development and delivery of programs for individuals with special needs in the Southeast Michigan community. Friendship Circle started in the home of founders, Rabbi Levi and Bassie Shemtov, with just eight volunteers meeting four families each week to provide support and friendship. Today, the organization supports 3,000 individuals and their families with the assistance of hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Friendship Circle of Michigan is the flagship location of the organization, which has grown to more than 90 chapters worldwide. Each chapter operates independently but with a shared mission and programs first developed in Michigan.