Opportunity | Leadership | Friendship

“Exclusion is disabling not the disability itself.”

—Tiffany Yu , founder of Diversability

Our mission, at Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh, of community inclusion, is rooted in two simple truths. 

Every human needs genuine social connections and pathways to share of themselves in meaningful roles/activities.

Disability is a social value judgment regarding who will be excluded based on preconceptions and stereotypes about the worth of others.

Communities have throughout history always made arbitrary judgments about the worth of others and these are self-perpetuating due to lack of contact.  Community inclusion requires deliberate and sustained efforts to break this vicious cycle.

This website space is devoted to Community Inclusion. Visitors to the page will find news about FC Pittsburgh activities as well as sources of inspiration and resources that will help us build more inclusive communities. 

The Friendship Circle Fellowship Program: The mission of the Friendship Fellows program is to provide an experience in which individuals of diverse abilities contribute to The Friendship Circle office in meaningful ways, gain confidence in their abilities, and learn new skills, all while being immersed in a supportive environment.

Friendship Circle Leadership Development: Opportunities abound for middle school and high school kids to strengthen their leadership skills through training and volunteer days. Teens can serve as youth leaders in their community and bring The Friendship Circle’s philosophy into their high schools.

The Young Adult Network: The network aims to continue fostering Friendship Circle’s mission among current and past members of the Pittsburgh delegation, establish continuity of alumni involvement and foster lasting investment in Friendship Circle.

Friendship Circle "Pop-Up" Bakery:The Vision of the Friendship Circle Pop Up Bakery is to allow members to independently and intentionally develop their baking skills under the direction of a professional lead pastry chef, while simultaneously sharing and demonstrating our mission. The Pop Up Bakery will create an environment in which Friendship Circle members and community participants are working together to build a more inclusive community.