Photo Courtesy Of The Friendship Journey
Making friends is hard; creating lifelong connections is nearly impossible.
The Friendship Journey, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 2011 in Coconut Creek to change all that. The nonprofit’s belief is that everyone deserves to experience true friendship — and it unites individuals of all ages and cognitive and developmental abilities through its inclusive programs.
Samantha Novick, MS, CCC-SLP, president of The Friendship Journey since 2018, is dedicated to amplifying the voices of others and creating opportunities for all in her community. She also pursues these passions through her work as a speech-language pathologist and as the owner of Bridge Therapy.
“I work with a lot of kids with speech, language and communication disabilities, and I saw a need for a program like The Friendship Journey,” says South Floridian Novick, 34, who lives in Coconut Creek. “It began as a small organization, and I fell in love with the mission.”
The Friendship Journey’s in-person programs serve young children (age 4) to adults, depending on the need.
The City of Coconut Creek has partnered with the organization, for example, to host Jaime’s Room, in honor of talented dancer Jaime Guttenberg, a Parkland school shooting victim, and bring friends together through dance, movement and yoga.
Gina’s Art Friends, in honor of artist Gina Montalto, another Parkland school shooting victim, brings friends together through creative expression at Plaster Carousel in Coral Springs.
“I started Farm Friends in partnership with Kindness Shared Happiness Squared in 2019,” adds Novick. “Jennifer Altieri’s farm animals are all rescues and disabled, so kids and teens have an opportunity to connect in that area.”
The Friendship Journey also partners with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts to provide sensory-inclusive professional shows, and with the Florida Panthers to teach South Florida’s first inclusive hockey team.
“And we finished our fifth summer of Camp Wings of Friendship (for teens and adults with disabilities, aged 14+) on Zoom, which virtually served about 30 states and Canada,” Novick points out.
Yearly events include the Annual Friendship Gala fundraiser, held this year on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Another highlight is the Annual Jaime Guttenberg and Gina Montalto Scholarship Celebration, which honors graduating seniors of all ability levels who exemplify kindness and friendship.
“We hope to continue to offer these experiences at no cost and are able to do this through the support of the community and our donors,” Novick says.
For more information or to support The Friendship Journey, call 800-435-7352 or visit thefriendshipjourney.org.