Kansas City Jewish Chronicle
Friendship Circle Executive Director Rabbi Avremi Baron (center) and Young Adult Club host Bob Cutler (right) play UNO with a member of Friendship Circle of Kansas City at the program’s first event.
Friendship Circle of Kansas City has launched a new program, the Young Adult Club, designed to provide ongoing opportunities for young adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to connect through shared activities.
The club is intended to emphasize independence and practical life skills while fostering laughter, friendship and community bonds.
Founded in 2024, Friendship Circle of Kansas City has steadily grown to include a wide range of programs promoting inclusion and connection. Its offerings include Sunday Circle, which focuses on inclusion for children with disabilities; Teen Scene, geared toward teens; as well as various events and seasonal gatherings.
At the heart of the organization’s mission is the belief that every individual has unique value to bring to their community, and that friendship can break down barriers of isolation.
The Young Adult Club is an expansion of this mission into a new age group. It was created in response to feedback from families and participants who had aged out of other programs but wanted to stay connected.
“We’ve always been about building community at every stage of life,” program director Mushky Baron said. “The Young Adult Club is the natural next step. Through these programs, you see that everyone has so much to share and contribute to our community — we’re just leveling the playing field.”
Earlier this month, the program held one of its first gatherings, hosted by community member Bob Cutler, who played a key role in helping get the initiative off the ground.
Participants decorated their own notebooks, played board games in small groups and made custom trail mix blends from a variety of ingredients. The event was intended to encourage conversation and build connections in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
Cutler said he was drawn to support the new club because of the need it fills.
“There are a lot of great programs for kids and teens, but as people get older, the opportunities narrow. This gives young adults a way to stay engaged and have a community,” he said.
Future gatherings are expected to include creative projects, outings and social events. Organizers hope the program will become a regular part of Friendship Circle’s calendar and a meaningful space for participants to form lasting friendships.
More information about Friendship Circle of Kansas City is available at friendshipcirclekc.org or by emailing info@friendshipcirclekc.org.