Photo Karen Graham.
Members of Friendship Force are all smiles when they’re together and are looking forward to breaking into a cake as they celebrate being together for a year.
A year ago, three dedicated mothers launched a new program they call Friendship Force.
A social club for local individuals 18 and older who have different abilities, they meet on Tuesday afternoons at the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre. For the members of the group, Tuesday has become their favourite day of the week.
Participants are on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This developmental disability is caused by differences in the brain and often affects social interaction.
Beginning with a handful of male participants, the group now attracts as many as fifteen people, including three girls, coming from Cavan Monaghan, Pontypool and the north end of Peterborough. At Friendship Force, there is little evidence of any social awkwardness between the participants, but an obvious sense of camaraderie amongst these young people. Laughter, hugs and goofy smiles abound. These people get each other, and according to the organizers, this chemistry happened at their very first meeting.
This is a drop-in program, so participants can come and go as their schedule allows. When someone doesn’t show up as expected, they are keenly missed, particularly by the girls who can behave a bit like mother hens. The four-hour program includes games, music, laughter and some physical activity. They walk the track, play Pickleball and trained outside in preparation for participating in their own Terry Fox run last fall.
Participants love meeting new people and organizers would welcome anyone with a special skill they would like to share with the group- musicians, magicians, crafters or athletes. They would love a field trip to a local farm. If you would like to support this group, donations of snacks, games, art supplies or even cash are always welcome. The organization is now a registered charity, allowing them to issue tax receipts for donations.
The organization is run by volunteers, and is a testament to the dedication of these women: Tammy Craft, Dawn Taylor and Margaret Aldsworth. The program offers these young adults fun with a peer group and a sense of belonging.
To learn more or to offer support, email friendshipforce@outlook.com. KG