On Oct. 13, The Friendship Circle will host its annual ‘Walk With Friendship’ event, a walk-a-thon to show support and raise awareness for children and teens with special needs. Beginning at Luther Burbank Park, participants will complete either the 1K Family Walk or the 5K Loop. Afterward, walkers will enjoy food and entertainment, including live music, a bouncy house, raffles, carnival games, face painting, and booths from event sponsors. This family event is free and open to the public.

The Friendship Circle currently has 12 programs serving children, teens and families with special needs. Though the challenges that children and teens with special needs face vary, the majority struggle to form interpersonal connections with their peers and are often socially isolated. To overcome the obstacle of loneliness, The Friendship Circle welcomes these children and their entire families into a vibrant and accepting community.

In each Friendship Circle program, a specially trained teen volunteer is placed with a special needs child, allowing the child to experience the joys of friendship and giving his or her families a much-needed respite. This approach also teaches “typical” teens the importance of community involvement and helps them develop leadership skills.

For more, go to www.walkwithfriendship.com.