Family Friends is part of the Center for Intergenerational Learning at Temple University. The Center's mission is to bring together people from different generations to form a stronger community. The mission of Family Friends is to support families with special needs. These families are often isolated due to raising a child with a special need. Family Friends builds relationships to strengthen families and children. Our participants are families that are headed by grandparent caregivers, and parents who are raising children with disabilities.

Description:
Family Friends matches adult volunteers (50 years and up) with children with special needs. Volunteers visit the child and family weekly in their home, providing companionship, caring, connection to the community. Volunteers play, read, go on outings, listen, celebrate, teach, share. Family Friends are people who want to share their love and life experiences with families in their community. Initial training and monthly volunteer in-services are offered to all volunteers.

History:
Family Friends has been building relationships and connecting people in Philadelphia for 18+ years. The Center for Intergenerational Learning has been in existence for 21+ years. Family Friends programs exist in 30 other communities in the U.S. Original start-up funding came from the Administration on Aging through the National Council on Aging. There are Family Friends programs in Delaware County (Elwyn, Inc) and Bucks County (Bucks County Intermediate Unit). Each Family Friends program is independent and unique.

Contact person: Nancy Hale, Program Director, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 215-204-3195

Address:

1601 N. Broad St., USB 206 Philadelphia, PA 19122 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.templecil.org

Directions:

Administrative offices for Family Friends are located on Temple University's Main Campus. The University Services Building (USB) is located at the corner of Broad and Oxford Streets. Family Friends is part of the Center for Intergenerational Learning, 2nd floor,. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: C bus, 1 min minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No