Meet Roye Ashkenazi. He was born in 1994 with Cerebral Palsy.

Yet, despite his disabilities, Roye has never allowed cerebral palsy to get in his way. An outstanding student at school, an absolute whiz at computers, a Hebrew School graduate, experienced a most memorable Bar Mitzvah at the Western Wall, and understands six languages. 

For the past 7 years, Roye has been a big part of the Friendship Circle. He has attended hundreds of its programs and benefited greatly from all of them. In turn, the teen volunteers and staff who have come in contact with him have themselves benefited from his upbeat personality, positive attitude and remarkable disposition.

With all of his accomplishments, there is one dream Roye has always had that has eluded him – that of being a DJ.  That dream, too, was just realized on Sunday, March 21st when Roye Ashkenazi served as the DJ for this year’s Friendship Walk Festival.  Roye kept the crowd rockin’, as his passion for music came shining through. (see below for a video recap of the walk).

This is why the Friendship Circle was founded.  So that kids like Roye and hundreds of others in our community with special needs can feel a sense of belonging and are welcomed as part of our greater family. Although their outer behavior and expressions may be different – requiring unique programming – their inner need for love, friendship and social interaction is no less than any other child’s.  Just like our own kids, THEY HAVE DREAMS TOO.  Thanks to this amazing program, they now have a circle of friends, who talk to them, play with them, take an interest in them, listen to them – AND HELP MAKE THEIR DREAMS A REALITY!

Although the Walk already took place, you can still participate by making a contribution to help Roye and the hundreds of very special children of the Friendship Circle. By clicking here and signing on as a sponsor, you would be sending a message to these children and their families: “You are not alone. This community is here for you – with kindness of heart and generosity of spirit!”

Please click here to sponsor our effort.

PS – Children with special needs challenge us on a deep level. We can look the other way because that’s far easier than engaging them… or we can get involved and become part of their lives. We choose the latter. We ask you to do the same. Please make a contribution and help MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE.