About Us

Circle of Friends, Connecticut
reaches out to children, teens, young adults & adults with autism & disabilities & involves them in a full array of inclusive social experiences. Our innovative programming of home visits, play dates and social interactions, is designed to foster a relationship between children with special needs and community teenage volunteers.
In addition to helping families in need, Circle of Friends empowers and enriches its network of volunteers (the majority of whom are teenagers) by enabling them to reap the vast rewards of participating in a program that strengthens their personal connections to the community by giving back to the community. Circle of Friends is non-sectarian and reaches out to all faith communities.

About Us
What is it like to be a child with a disability?
For many children with special needs, it's lonely. Very lonely.
Circle of Friends provides a wide array of innovative programming promoting a greater awareness and understanding of both the unique needs and the unique gifts of individuals with disabilities and encourages respect and empathy for those facing difficult challenges.
The children and families benefit from weekly home visits and monthly recreational group programming. Children, teens and young/adults with special needs celebrate the holidays with exciting, interactive programs that bring to life the richness of our heritage and traditions.
For our teen volunteers, Circle of Friends aims to create an environment that will nurture and inspire their volunteer experience with meaning, purpose and self-value and a sense of connection to and responsibility for the greater community.

Dear Friends,
One of the fundamental principles of the Circle of Friends is the Torah’s - Bible's declaration, “Vahavta L’rayacha Kamocha - Love Your Fellow as Yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).
Our families and their remarkable children remind us everyday what friendship truly means. Friendship is unconditional love, utmost patience, a heart overflowing with pride and the infallible strength that holds it all together. Once you experience a child, sibling or parent living with such perseverance every day, you cannot help but look within yourself to embody that same spirit.
I invite you to learn more about Circle of Friends. If you are someone who can benefit from the programs we provide or you would like to volunteer, please contact us and join our circle. If you would like to support our programs, which benefit so many in our community, please browse our Donate section to see the many different ways you can help.
Whatever you need, please feel free to contact us at any time.
We are here for you.
Freida Hecht

OUR TEAM

Freida Hecht, Director
Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Spiritual Advisor
Sara Bartfield, program Director
Susan Robison, Volunteer Coordinator
Chanie Stone, YJP - Young Adult Volunteer & Adult Program Director
Marjie Freeman, PR