Friendship Circle of Brooklyn
Creating friendships between teen volunteers and individuals with special needs across Brooklyn, NY since 2004.
What Is Friendship Circle of Brooklyn?
Friendship Circle of Brooklyn is a nonprofit organization based at 792 Eastern Parkway, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY. We bring together teen volunteers and children and adults with special needs to build real friendships, one visit at a time.
We are part of Friendship Circle International, a global network of over 80 chapters in communities across North America, Israel, and beyond. In Brooklyn, we serve families from Crown Heights, Flatbush, Borough Park, Williamsburg, and communities across all of Brooklyn, NY.
Our programs are built on a simple idea: every child deserves a friend. When teens show up, week after week, something extraordinary happens for everyone.
Programs at Friendship Circle Brooklyn
Friends at Home
Our flagship program pairs teen volunteers with children with special needs for weekly home visits filled with activities, games, and genuine friendship. These visits happen every week, year-round.
Holiday Programs
Purim parties, Chanukah celebrations, Passover Seders, and Shabbat programming create joyful, inclusive community moments throughout the Jewish calendar year.
Teen Volunteering
Teens in Brooklyn develop leadership, empathy, and lifelong values through volunteering with Friendship Circle. Many begin as volunteers and remain connected to the community for years.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah Projects
A meaningful alternative to standard mitzvah projects. Teens commit to regular volunteer visits with a Friendship Circle child, building a genuine bond that becomes their bar or bat mitzvah legacy.
Summer Camp
Structured, joyful summer programming for children with special needs, staffed by trained teen counselors who create a safe, inclusive camp experience in Brooklyn.
Community Events
Open gatherings where families, volunteers, and community members come together in an inclusive, welcoming environment. No one sits on the sidelines at a Friendship Circle event.
Run the NYC Marathon for Friendship Circle Brooklyn
Team Friendship NYC Marathon 2026
Friendship Circle runs Team Friendship, an official charity team for the TCS New York City Marathon and the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. When you run for Team Friendship, you receive a guaranteed charity bib, a personalized fundraising page, and the full Team Friendship experience from training to finish line.
Your fundraising supports Friendship Circle programs in Brooklyn and across New York City, directly funding the volunteer visits, holiday programs, and community events that matter most to the families we serve.
About Our Brooklyn Community
Brooklyn is home to one of the most vibrant Friendship Circle communities in the country. Our chapter is centered in Crown Heights and serves families from every corner of Brooklyn including Flatbush, Borough Park, Williamsburg, Boro Park, Midwood, and Kensington.
The Brooklyn chapter is part of the broader Friendship Circle NYC network, which also includes chapters on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Lower Manhattan, Queens, and beyond. Together, we serve hundreds of families across New York City.
Friendship Circle of Brooklyn is a Jewish organization rooted in the values of chesed (loving-kindness) and inclusion. Our programs are open to all families in Brooklyn regardless of background or affiliation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Friendship Circle of Brooklyn
Friendship Circle of Brooklyn is part of Friendship Circle International, serving the Brooklyn, NY community with special needs programs, teen volunteering, and inclusive events. Part of the Friendship Circle NYC network.