PITTSBURGH — The Friendship Circle held its sixth annual Walk4Friendship and its first 5K race in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, as the local nonprofit marks 20 years of operations.
More than 650 people signed up to participate in the event.
Founded in 2006, the organization works to build an inclusive Pittsburgh for people with disabilities. It provides free, year-round programs that connect youth and young adults of all abilities through friendship, wellness and employment.
The event relied on community participation, with families, teens, school clubs and local groups forming walk and run teams to lead fundraising efforts.
During the event, volunteers distributed activity kits that were assembled during the 10-27 Healing Partnership Day of Service.
Among its ongoing initiatives, the Friendship Circle operates The Beacon teen wellness center and Bunny Bakes, an inclusive cafe that provides workforce readiness training and employment for adults with disabilities.
Rabbi Mordy Rudolph serves as executive director of the Friendship Circle.
“It feels like kindness is something that’s necessary today, more so than ever,” Rudolph said. “And so, to be able to promote that in a way that everyone can understand and appreciate, it crosses all political divides, all other divides, and it’s something that everyone can appreciate and be a part of.”
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