Jonathan Dobin-Smith is a Staples High School senior, and regional director for Circle of Friends. The non-profit involves children, teenagers and adults with autism and disabilities in a full array of inclusive social experiences.
In the fall, Jonny — who received Circle of Friends’ Mildred H. Schwartz Scholarship for Outstanding Volunteering and Leadership — heads to the University of Chicago. He writes:
No place epitomizes the meaning of “community” quite like Circle of Friends, on a Sunday afternoon. Volunteers, instructors and neurodivergent participants burst through the door in a torrent of excitement.
Neurodivergent kids often find themselves feeling left out. They aren’t invited to birthday parties or playdates, and have a hard time creating lasting friendships.
At COF, teen volunteers spend time with our friends one Sunday per month. We schedule weekly 1-on-1 playdates separately with our neurodivergent buddies.
Walking in the door for the first time as an 8th grader, I was nervous. I had no experience working with kids with special needs. My brother had been the president of Staples’ COF chapter, and I was anxious about filling his shoes.
However, the fantastic community of volunteers and organizers make everyone feel like they belong. What was once anxiety quickly turned to excitement.
Jonny Dobin-Smith (right) and fellow volunteer Aiden Lapatine, with their friend Shai during a baking activity.
Being a part of this year’s senior class of volunteers has been a huge honor. But as our senior class heads off to Emory, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Chicago and other great schools, we leave behind a group of amazing buddies looking for new friends.
COF only works when teens in our area step up to help. I hope that everyone reading this will consider volunteering, or encouraging a middle or high school student they know to volunteer.
Getting involved with COF isn’t just a chance to positively change someone else’s world a little. It’s an opportunity to change your own, in a meaningful way.
Volunteering with COF is super flexible. There’s an opportunity to participate in group events one Sunday per month. That’s enough for plenty of volunteers. Many others also participate in my favorite program, Home with Friends, where volunteers are paired with a buddy who they visit each week, in a way that works for the volunteer’s schedule.
Volunteers easily balance activities like rowing, lacrosse, football, Players and academics with this discrete time commitment.
In 9th grade I began visiting my buddy, G. A highlight of my time with G was Halloween, when I got to relive all the best parts of trick-or-treating.
G had a buddy to go out with that night, and I had the greatest time showing him “the best streets” for candy. We had a blast.
Volunteering with COF is truly impactful. Showing up to befriend someone who feels disconnected or lonely changes their world. Being present to go for a walk, play video games, grab ice cream or play a little basketball provides an opportunity for connection and engagement. Seeing your buddy’s face light up when you knock on their front door feels amazing.
Getting to know them, and their families, is even better. Whether you volunteer for 1 year or 4, you’ll become a part of the family in the best way.
Mischpacha is a Yiddish word that means “extended family.” As part of COF, you become a part of the mischpacha.
Circle of Friends volunteers (from left) Sammi Dreizen, Juliet Jannes, Elijah Falkenstein and Jonny Dobin-Smith.
Volunteering with COF requires no previous experience — and everyone is welcome. You don’t need any special education training or past involvement with special needs or disabilities to get involved. Just an interest in being friendly and making a difference.
The program is run out of a synagogue, but people of all different religions participate as friends and volunteers. During the recent Purim holiday, some of my friends from Staples who are Christian and Muslim helped pack gift boxes.
Volunteering with COF allows students to be creative. From creating science workshops to an entire baking program, if you have an interest that will work for the group, Freida Hecht, COF’s executive director, will encourage you to pursue it.
This is such a fun way to provide engagement during Sunday Circle events and lean into your own interests. There’s even a new leadership program next year that will award college credit to volunteers.
Working with an organization so dedicated to changing lives has been an honor. I encourage you and your families get to experience it, too!
COF wants to meet the needs of every family that contacts them for help. But that only happens when enough people show up.
If you are curious, you can learn more about volunteering at https://www.circleoffriendsct.org.
Our annual Evening of Recognition, which raises programming funds for the entire year, is coming up Sunday, May 3. I very much hope to see you there.
(“Students Speak” is a regular “06880” feature. Any student living or studying in Westport or Weston can submit a piece. Email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this local blog, click here.)
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