The Friendship Foundation is a vibrant beacon of support for families with children and young adults, ages 8-35+, who live with disabilities. We create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can thrive through engaging activities like sports, art, music, and a variety of social programs—all designed to foster connection and camaraderie among peers.
Our dedicated staff and enthusiastic volunteers ensure that every program is a celebration of inclusion and friendship. We hold a deep belief that every individual is not just unique, but also deserving of love and meaningful connections.
The Friendship Foundation enhances local educational initiatives by providing a supportive setting for individuals with disabilities to explore and apply their skills in real-world interactions. By participating in our programs, they don’t just learn—they thrive and grow together, building a foundation of support that extends beyond our events.
Our History
We started out with 8 children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and 22 teen volunteers, meeting once per month on a Sunday afternoon in Manhattan Beach. At each “Sunday Circle," our group would gather to hang out and socialize while playing games, singing songs and enjoying a variety of interactive entertainment. Soon thereafter, a few of our teens took this concept to their high schools and established school-sanctioned clubs at Mira Costa High School, Palos Verdes High School, and Redondo Union High School. Today, over 75 Friendship School Clubs exist throughout the South Bay & beyond- at elementary, middle, and high school levels in public, private, and charter schools. In addition to our Friendship School Clubs, we offer social and recreational programs 5 days per week, year-round. Our services reach over 2,500 students annually.