Program Impact Update
This spring, we continued to build on our mission of creating inclusive, friendship-based opportunities for individuals of all abilities. One of the highlights has been the growth of our Teen & Young Adult Life Skills (TYA) program, which is helping older teens and young adults gain the confidence and tools they need to navigate everyday life. Just ask Jason, who once felt anxious about riding the bus or shopping at the mall. With encouragement from his Friendship Circle mentors, he now says, “I can do this by myself.” His story is just one of many we’ve seen as participants grow in independence, connection, and self-assurance. TYA at a Glance: Real-Life Skills, Real Confidence TYA was created in response to the unique challenges that older teens and young adults face as they transition into greater independence. Each session pairs participants with neurotypical teen volunteers and includes a community outing—whether it's practicing money management at the grocery store, learning to use public transit, or navigating social situations at a café. Every experience builds critical life skills in a fun, supportive environment. This quarter, the TYA program saw: 30+ life skills outings in the community 80+ participants developing hands-on experience with daily living skills Over 400 hours of mentorship and real-world learning Backed by 40+ trained volunteers Our Broader Impact Across our full range of core programs—TYA, U Matter, Sunday Circle, Birthday Club, and Friends@Home—we served more than 500 participants this spring. With the dedication of 190+ volunteers, we delivered over 1,200 hours of impactful programming throughout the Greater Seattle area. With Gratitude We’re especially grateful to the FS Foundation for helping us deepen our work with older teens and young adults through TYA. Their generous support has enabled us to introduce new workshops in digital literacy and self-care, and to reach even more participants with meaningful, skill-building experiences. Their commitment continues to make a lasting difference—one life skill, one outing, and one friendship at a time.
Want to get involved? Find out more at www.friendshipcircle.org
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