Boca Raton nonprofit supports children and teens with special needs

Jasmine Fernández, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·2 min read

BOCA RATON — Friendship House Boca, a Boca Raton nonprofit supporting children and teens with special needs, raised more than $100,000 earlier this month during its second annual "Walk4Friendship."

The funds will go toward special needs programs in Palm Beach County. More than 800 participants walked in this year's event at Boca's South County Regional Park.

Since being founded in 2020, Friendship House Boca has helped more than 75 families with children with special needs. The organization pairs local high school and community volunteers with children, teens and young adults with disabilities.

More than 800 people participated in Friendship House Boca's second annual 'Walk4Friendship' on Sunday March 3, 2024, at South County Regional Park.
More than 800 people participated in Friendship House Boca's second annual 'Walk4Friendship' on Sunday March 3, 2024, at South County Regional Park.

What else does Friendship House Boca do?

Friendship House was built to create an inclusive community through various volunteer, social and educational programs. Some of these include a monthly program to facilitate socialization between peers and young adult volunteers, an after-school program that offers children with disabilities a chance to engage in different sports and a two-hour drop-off program on Sundays that offers specialized art, music and dance activities.

Mayor Scott Singer was among more than 800 participants at Friendship House Boca's second annual 'Walk4Friendship' on Sunday March 3, 2024, at South County Regional Park.
Mayor Scott Singer was among more than 800 participants at Friendship House Boca's second annual 'Walk4Friendship' on Sunday March 3, 2024, at South County Regional Park.

Friendship House Boca's 'Walk4Friendship': What is it?

The organization's "Walk4Friendship" started in 2023 to raise money for Friendship House and awareness of the nonprofit's mission. This year's goal was to raise $125,000. About $95,400 was raised by 673 donors.

This year's walk, held Sunday, March 3, was held in memory of Noya Dan and Ruth Perez, two young girls with special needs who were killed Oct. 7 by Hamas during the attack on Israel.

More on special needs statistics in Boca Raton:

According to CDC reports from 2015-17, 17% of children ages 3 through 17 had a developmental disability. This percentage increases yearly.

Friendship House aims to bridge gaps for people with disabilities in the community through its pairing program. Its goal is to create a socially-integrated environment in Boca Raton.

Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at jfernandez@pbpost.com and follow her on X (formerly Twitter) at @jasminefernandz. Help support our work. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton nonprofit supports children and teens with special needs