OVERVIEW
Friendship Circle NYC presents a unique Mitzvah Project for boys ages 12-13 years old. A fun and meaningful way to mark their upcoming Bar Mitzvah, by volunteering and making a difference in the lives of teens & young adults with special needs.
The Mitzvah Project participants will help plan and play in a Basketball Tournament alongside the special teens at Friendship Circle.
A basketball tournament for kids with special needs is so much more than a game - it’s a chance for them to shine, to feel seen and celebrated for who they are. It’s the joy of scoring a basket, the pride of being part of a team, and the warmth of friendships formed on and off the court. In a world that can sometimes feel isolating, this is their moment to belong, to laugh, and to thrive in an environment where their abilities are embraced and their spirits uplifted. It’s a day that reminds them - and us - that every child deserves a place to play, connect, and soar.
THE PROJECT WILL CONSIST OF 2 VOLUNTEERING SESSIONS:
1) An intro session where our Mitzvah Project Volunteers will learn about Friendship Circle and kids with special needs + plan the tournament (approx. 1.5hrs). Date & time to be decided by the volunteer group.
2) The tournament day itself, where we'll be joined by the special kids from Friendship Circle (approx. 3 hrs). Mitzvah Project dads are invited to join too! See date options below.
HOW TO JOIN
All Mitzvah project participants will have their very own custom-made fundraising page, where they can invite family and friends to participate in their volunteering efforts by donating to the cause. (View a sample project here). The fundraising minimum to join the Mitzvah Volunteer Project is $1000/person.
The money raised will cover all the costs associated with the tournament. Any extra funds will be directed toward Friendship Circle's weekly social + recreational programs for kids with special needs.
TOURNAMENT DATES
Date Options:
Sunday, March 16 // Sunday, April 6 // Sunday, April 27 // Sunday, May 4
Location: Local gym on the Upper East Side (exact location tbd)
For the Mitzvah project to go ahead, a minimum of 5 project participants is required. If the listed volunteer dates don’t work for you, no worries! Friendship Circle can explore alternative dates. Let us know what works for you/your group and we'll try to make it happen.
*If a member of the mitzvah volunteer project would like to continue volunteering after the project ends, they can happily do so at Friendship Circle holiday programs and at the seasonal Friendship Circle camps.