For the families who are part of Friendship Circle of Brooklyn, the relationship doesn’t end when a program is over or the school year comes to a close.
It continues.
Throughout the year, Friendship Circle connects children with special needs with friends, volunteers, and staff who come to know them personally. They celebrate their milestones, share their happy moments, support them through challenges, and become familiar and trusted faces in their lives.
Beyond the multitude of programs and activities, Friendship Circle is a place where relationships run deep; where every member is known, valued, and genuinely cared about. These aren’t relationships that exist only during a program or school year. They continue throughout the year, because the children become a meaningful part of the community.
And sometimes, you get to see just how deep those relationships have become in a single, unforgettable moment.
This summer, Rabbi Berel and Chani Majesky made a special trip upstate to visit some of their Friendship Circle friends at camp.
One of their stops was Camp HASC, where they were warmly welcomed by campers and counselors. The visit gave the Majeskys an opportunity to see Friendship Circle members in their summer environment and, just as importantly, to show Hakaros HaTov to the dedicated counselors who spend their summer caring for them.
But one encounter in particular captured what these relationships really mean.
While walking around, Chani spotted Y. happily playing on a spinner in the playground. She went over to say hello and knowing how excited he would be, asked him if he would like to also see Berel. Y. immediately took her hand, ready to go. Berel was waiting near the entrance at the bottom of a hill. As they walked toward him, Y. suddenly spotted him from a distance, across the field. He gave a little jump. And then he ran. Y. took off toward Berel with an excitement that was impossible to miss. He ran straight to him and stayed by his side for the remainder of the Majesky’s visit.
His counselor later mentioned that he had never seen Y. so excited to see any of his visitors – or want to stay with someone for so long.
It was one of those moments that captures why Friendship Circle exists. The goal has never been simply to run programs. It is to build a community where every child is known, valued, and cared for – and where they know they truly belong.
Y.’s reaction said it all.
Watch the heartwarming moment here
Partner with Friendship Circle’s life-changing work in the community at FCBrooklyn.com/donate.
