The Friendship Circle provides unconditional acceptance, friendship, and support for those with special needs and their families. Local teens and adults involve their special friends in 27+ programs that allow their unique gifts to shine, while volunteers renew their own compassion, shaping our community’s next generation of leaders. The Friendship Circle is an affiliate of Lubavitch of Wisconsin.

Kids’ Center provides an after school enrichment experience that can’t be replicated by a private caregiver. While each child’s schedule can be individualized to their needs and interests, there are also plenty of opportunities to just be a kid and play with friends. In addition, supervised homework support keeps kids on track for school success and allows your family to enjoy a more peaceful evening at home. Kids Center is also the only afterschool program that creates Shabbat and holiday experiences throughout the year. Kids’ Center is a program of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.

The Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center’s space for pre-teens is open and ready for a full school year of fun events. Come and enjoy the area’s newest spot for pre-teens in a fun and safe environment. Check out the new games and equipment. JCC membership required.

Ruach is Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid’s youth group program that is designed for children in grades 2-5. The children enjoy programming that helps to build Jewish friendships and  gives them a taste of what it is like to be part of a youth group.

STARS (Students That Are Really Special) is a program run by the Center of Inclusion and Special Needs at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center that provides engaging weekly and quarterly classes, educational resources, a tutoring center, and support for students with special needs and their families. The Resource Center offers parents guidance in navigating their child’s academic, behavioral and social experiences. STARS partners with Upstream Arts, a Minneapolis-based, nonprofit educational organization, to provide an arts-based curriculum throughout the year and a week of summer camp activities for young adult participants at JCC Rainbow Day Camp. Volunteer opportunities are available for teenagers who will be individually matched with a STARS participant to be their friend during programs and classes.