FRIENDSHIP CENTER INC

THE FRIENDSHIP CENTER IS AN INTERGENERATIONAL CHILD CARE FACILITY THAT INCORPORATES SENIOR CITIZENS FROM HEATH VILLAGE, AN ADJACENT RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, INTO ITS CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. SENIOR VOLUNTEERS ASSIST THE CENTER'S PROFESSIONAL STAFF BY TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES, CONDUCTING NATURE WALKS, PROVIDING MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT, READING STORIES, AND SUPERVISING CRAFT AND WOODWORKING PROJECTS. CHILDREN ALSO INTERACT WITH SENIORS THROUGH A PEN PAL PROGRAM, AT SPECIAL EVENTS AND AT HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS. OTHER PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE ART, COMPUTERS, DANCE, SCIENCE/NATURE, SOCCER, SWIM LESSONS, AND MORE. THE FACILITY ALSO UTILIZES AN INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARD WHICH INCORPORATES TECHNOLOGY INTO THE LESSON PLANS. THE PROGRAMS ARE DEVELOPMENTALLY AGE APPROPRIATE AND ARE DESIGNED TO FOSTER SELF-CONFIDENCE, IMPROVE COMPETENCE IN SELF-HELP SKILLS, AND DEVELOP THOSE LANGUAGE ABILITIES AND INNER CONTROLS NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVE SOCIAL INTERACTION. THE FACILITY STRESSES THE PROCESS OF LEARNING AND DISCOVERY TO PREPARE THE CHILD FOR THE MANY AND VARIED LEARNING SITUATIONS HE OR SHE WILL ENCOUNTER THROUGHOUT LIFE, ATTACHING EQUAL IMPORTANCE TO EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, SOCIAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT. DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, THE FACILITY SERVED 75 STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR, OF WHICH 27 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN SWIM LESSONS DURING THE SUMMER SESSION. THERE WERE 14 SENIORS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PEN PAL PROGRAM, IN WHICH STUDENTS AND THEIR SENIOR PEN PALS EXCHANGED CARDS, PICTURES AND CRAFTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ONE SENIOR VOLUNTEER TAUGHT GERMAN SONGS TO THE STUDENTS WHICH WERE PERFORMED DURING THE WINTER HOLIDAY SHOW AND AT GRADUATION. ANOTHER VOLUNTEER PROVIDED A WEEKLY MATH PROGRAM THAT INCLUDED MATH GAMES AND LESSONS FOR THE PRE-KINDERGARTEN CLASSES.THE STUDENTS ALSO VISITED THE HEATH VILLAGE LIBRARY ON A WEEKLY BASIS WHERE A VOLUNTEER READ TO THEM, AND ANOTHER ASSISTED THEM WITH CHECKING OUT A BOOK.