Dear russell

Welcome to our inaugural issue of In The Circle, our quarterly newsletter that will keep you and your family up to date on the latest happenings here at Friendship Circle of Miami! With highlights from this past Spring and Summer as well as exciting announcements, our newsletter will help you stay in the know on all things Friendship Circle.

As we reminisce on the wonderful smiles, laughter, and friendship over the past few months, we also reflect on the challenges our community has faced, from the pandemic to the Surfside tragedy to social injustice. We're privileged to have been a leader in our community's response and recovery efforts, a role we would not have been able to undertake without the trust and support of individuals such as yourself. Thank you for giving us the courage and strength to make a difference.

Despite the challenges, our circle - from our incredible teen volunteers to our amazing participants and their families - has remained strong and hopeful, reminding us of the power of friendship and altruism. Our perseverance in the face of adversity has endured, and we're pleased to share that we will be holding a Groundbreaking Ceremony for our new facility this Fall! The Friendship Campus will usher in a new era in our history, as well as reshape the landscape for care. We have awaited this moment for nearly a decade, and now is the time!

Progress and growth would not be possible without our network of community supporters, and we're especially grateful for our newest friend, Bean Automotive Group! Established in 1969, Bean Automotive Group has been providing exceptional service to our community for 52 years and will continue to serve our community in a new and exciting way by partnering with us to expand services and help young people with disabilities through our Life Skills Training Program. We encourage you to read more about this partnership in the feature below.

Each newsletter will have a Friendship Spotlight, which highlights the story or perspective of someone in our circle. This issue’s Friendship Spotlight features the powerful words of Madelyn Dones, mother of Alex and long-time champion of our cause. We invite you to listen to her inspirational testimony below and reflect on the ways that Friendship Circle has impacted you; whether it’s a friendship you have formed, a favorite memory from our of our programs, or even a conversation that changed your life. 

We wish you good health and a prosperous start to the Fall season and look forward to seeing you all at one of our upcoming events, like our Welcome Back BBQ this Sunday, August 29th.

Thank you for being a part of our circle!

In Friendship,

Rabbi Yossi and Nechama Harlig