When Zev and Chani Baram founded the charitable organization Philly Friendship Circle two decades ago, they were just two young professionals who thought they could use their time to positively impact the community. Twenty years later, the organization is thriving and on the heels of hosting a fundraising walk event last month that garnered more than 650 attendees. Needless to say, things have gone well for Philly Friendship Circle since the early 2000s despite operating in the competitive nonprofit space.
“My husband and I are co-founders, and we’ve built this organization from [consisting of] just two friends paired together to now hundreds of people being involved,” Chief Relationship Officer Chani Baram said. “Our model is all about bringing different segments of the community together and bringing together friends of all abilities.”
The organization primarily organizes events that unite children, teens and families with peers that have some sort of disability. These functions afford both parties a valuable experience. For the disabled, they get the chance to bond with others and enjoy traditional social activities that they might otherwise be discouraged from taking part in. For the abled, they are given the chance to learn about someone else’s experience and hopefully understand the difficult reality of a disabled person’s everyday life a little better.
“A huge driving force in our success has been that people have meaningful experiences,” Baram said. “They bring other people in, and they continue to support us financially. They spread the word to other people. It’s just like a real grassroots ripple effect. The dedication of our staff, and that special feeling that everybody involved in the organization experiences, has also helped continue to keep us here through all different sorts of challenges over the years.”
These claims are verified by the evidence. On Nov. 10, the Philly Friendship Circle held its 16th annual walk event, which draws hundreds of attendees and raises tens of thousands of dollars for the organization each year. The 2024 edition was even more successful than most.
More than 650 people came to the walk last month, helped by over 100 volunteers. The event tapped nearly 1,000 donors to raise more than the goal of $150,000. Even on a chilly, overcast day, Baram said that spirits were high and people walked away happy. She added that the children in attendance enjoyed a petting zoo, music, arts and crafts, face painting, food and inflatable attractions.
Consistent with the organization’s mission, the event focused heavily on accessibility. It included a station with accommodations for those who need them and an area specifically designed for those with sensory deficits, as well as sensory kits and a sensory guide.
“One of the pieces of feedback we heard a lot at the end of last year when we read our satisfaction survey is that the organization feels like home, or it feels like a family, and it is a family to us,” Baram said. “Someone said that every [time] they bring their children here, it is safe, meaningful, successful and feels like an ongoing family dinner.”
Baram said that the work that Philly Friendship Circle does has resulted in countless rewarding experiences. She recalled a recent one that stuck out to her in particular.
“A new member who joined us was sharing how his mother had passed away, and his father said how this was the first time his son had an independent experience from him since [the mother’s death],” she said. “He was just hanging out with friends. He comes to a lot of events — he went to the beach with us this summer, and that feeling that it gives his father is a special feeling. It sounds simple, but it’s not simple for everybody.”
That’s not to say it’s all been easy, however. Running a nonprofit is an uphill battle, and success at banner events like last month’s walk are key to the function of the organization. Baram said that there have been many times when keeping up with the financial side of things caused her and her husband stress, as well as making sure that staff are functioning well and have all that they need. As of now, there is one big thing that the organization would like to improve.
“We’ve been blessed to have been hosted by a lot of different synagogues and schools and organizations, but not having a space of our own is a challenge, especially [because we serve] a diverse population with a variety of needs,” Baram said.
She added that, as of now, the organization is thrilled with where it is and the success of its November fundraiser. Numerous groups are to be thanked for their participation or volunteer work — program alumni, the board of directors, families of children with special needs, those in the organization’s volunteer program for sixth and seventh graders and Teen Leadership Board.
Baram said that the team at Philly Friendship Circle doesn’t take its mission, or the support of the community, lightly. They bring people together from all corners of the city and all denominations of Judaism — no easy feat.
“It’s been a challenging year for the community, and with people supporting so many things overseas and in Israel, we didn’t know what to expect [at the walk],” she said. “To exceed our goal is just really very heartwarming.”
