Paramus—Zeesy Grossbaum, the director of Friendship Circle of Bergen County, often says that the organization’s teen volunteers get more out of their experience than the special needs children they help. Bracha Getter of Fair Lawn, age 16, and Atara Pietruszka of Bergenfield, age 13, would agree. They each heard about the Friendship Circle through their friends and their schools and decided to check it out. They signed up to help with a program and were immediately hooked on the deep feeling of personal satisfaction they derive from helping others.

The Friendship Circle is a Jewish non-profit organization that provides outreach, programs and support to families of special needs children through age 21. It brings together teenage volunteers and children with a variety of disabilities for fun and friendship, and creates an enriching experience for all involved. The Bergen County chapter helps more than 200 families; approximately 700 teens volunteer in its various programs, sharing their time, talents and experiences with differently abled children.

Bracha helps three times a month with the Teen Scene program, held three times a month at The Frisch School in Paramus; Atara has been working at the weekly Sunday Circle at Yeshiva of North Jersey in River Edge. They enjoy it so much, they’ve each recruited some of their friends to get involved.

“I feel like I’m giving back. It’s not that much of my time and I’m able to make a really big difference in an hour and a half,” said Bracha. “Everybody’s welcome and everybody works together.” At Teen Scene she helps run games, works with the teen clients with activities such as baking or cooking, and provides company to students who might otherwise not have opportunities for peer socialization.

“As the year goes on and we get to know each other better, we form stronger relationships and you can really see it change.” Teen Scene fits into her very full schedule nicely—she already has at least one activity a night and gave up one hobby to volunteer—and if she has the time, she tries to make it to other Friendship Circle events.

Atara has been volunteering at Sunday Circle for about a year, where younger children enjoy music, dance, arts and crafts, and recreational gym activities for two hours.

“About 10 of my friends were already involved so I figured I’d try it out, and I loved it,” she said. “I really feel good when I’m helping these kids feel that they’re a part of something. It’s not right for them to feel left out just because they’re different. They enjoy whatever program we’re doing, and I enjoy whatever I’m helping them out with.”

Atara is one of five Friendship Circle presidents at her school, and publicizes the different upcoming events and volunteer opportunities with the organization to fellow students.

“I describe Sunday Circle and what we do—that it’s worth a try because you did something to help these kids, that you’re helping them every minute that you’re there,” she said.

Part of her responsibilities as president is to attend as many events as possible; she will be at the organization’s annual Friendship Walk on Sunday, September 20.

The free event, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. includes a fundraising walk, a family-friendly carnival, and a comedic and stunt-filled performance by the Harlem Wizards basketball team. Onsite check-in and registration begin at 10:00 a.m.; online registration is available at www.NJFriendshipWalk.com. Participants are encouraged to make a monetary contribution but the focus is on raising awareness of the Friendship Circle’s mission and the powerful difference its teen volunteers make in the lives of the children and families they help.

One of those families is the Taragins of Teaneck, who’ve been involved with Friendship Circle almost since its inception. Their 16-year-old son has difficulties with social situations due to his disabilities, started in Sunday Circle when he was younger, and now participates in Teen Scene. Their daughter, now in college, had volunteered for about eight years and their younger son, age 10, is starting his Friendship Circle “career.” Mother Sara Taragin puts together a Friendship Walk team every year to raise money for the organization. “I do whatever I can for the Grossbaums because they do so much for us,” she said.

“Our son loves Teen Scene, which provides him his social outlet. The volunteers are so welcoming, warm and inclusive, accepting him for who he is. Other situations make him stand out but he shines in this environment,” said Taragin. “He has the attention and affection of teens he would not otherwise have.”

She noted how valuable the camp programs are that are held during school breaks, especially for working parents; she also pointed out the sibling programs, and the mom and dad nights out, which provide a relaxing and supportive environment for parents who share common stresses.

“So many of these families feel marginalized because of their children’s issues,” said Zeesy Grossbaum. “The Friendship Circle programs break down those barriers, enabling our teen volunteers to get to know others who are differently abled, have the chance to give to others and get so much in return. It’s a wonderful way to support these families and helps to shape the next generation of community leaders.”

For more information about Friendship Circle of Bergen County’s programs and volunteer opportunities, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, visit www.BCFriendship.com; to register for the fun walk on September 20, go to www.NJFriendshipWalk.com.