Friendship Circle of Virginia

Children's Museum of Richmond Event- Chesterfield Sensory-Friendly Night
2025-04-18 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-02-21 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Children’s Museum of Richmond – Chesterfield, 6629 Lake Harbour Dr, Midlothian, VA, 23220
The Children’s Museum is excited to host a FREE night for families with children with disabilities on the third Friday of each month from 5:00-7:00 pm.
Families can register in advance via the link below or can register in-person upon arrival.
A cool down room will be available and sensory supports provided. We can’t wait to play with you!

Commonwealth Autism Event- Chef’s Cook-Off 2025
2025-04-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Willow Oaks Country Club, 6228 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA, United States
The Chef’s Cook-off Challenge is a prestigious culinary event showcasing top chefs from greater Richmond. Guests will enjoy a unique culinary experience, a silent auction, and someone will win $5,000, all while supporting Commonwealth Autism’s Career Readiness and Employment program (CR&E).
The CR&E program addresses the 85% unemployment rate in the autism community. Commonwealth Autism believes everyone deserves the chance to experience the fulfillment employment brings. Achieving and maintaining fulfilling employment helps support an individual’s independence and inclusion in the community.

ASCV Event-Preschool Music and Development Series with Little Miss Sunshine Music Studio
2025-04-15 16:00 - 2025-05-06 16:45 | Deep Run High School, 4801 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, VA, 23059
Join the ASCV and Little Sunshine Music Studio for a Preschool Music and Development Series!

These 45-minute Kindermusik classes combine music and movement, offering a multi-sensory learning experience. The activities are designed to enhance everything from physical development to social-emotional skills. Classes are designed to help children of all abilities and inclusiveness. We can’t wait to help your child grow and learn!

We are looking for little ones from all ages and stages. A diagnosis is not required to participate and all are encouraged to attend, birth to 5 years of age!

Please note this is a caregiver-supported program. Caregivers will stay with their loved one during the program and support their participation.

AGES
Birth to 5

DATES
4-week series:

Tuesday, April 15
Tuesday, April 22
Tuesday, April 29
Tuesday, May 6

ASCV and Beyond Boundaries Event- Teen Adventure Club
2025-04-14 17:30 - 2025-05-19 18:30 | Bryan Park, 4308 Hermitage Rd., Richmond, VA, 23227, United States
Autistic teens are invited to join the ASCV and Beyond Boundaries for Teen Adventure Club! In this six-week series, teens will connect with the outdoors, exploring topics such as hiking, conservation and leave no trace, fishing, camping, shelter-building, rock climbing, and more! No prior experience necessary, just an interest in exploring the outdoors!

AGES
Teens, enrolled in Middle School and High School

DATES:
6-week series

Monday, April 14
Monday, April 21
Monday, April 28
Monday, May 5
Monday, May 12
Monday, May 19

TIME
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

LOCATION
Our home base will be Bryan Park, Shelter 1 (4308 Hermitage Rd, Richmond VA, 23227), but based on the activity and/or weather, some weeks we may meet at a different location (example includes Peak Experiences downtown location for Rock Climbing). Any changes will be communicated in a timely manner via email.

Eligible for ASCV Program Scholarship. Please find more information and the scholarship application here: https://forms.gle/y4fhPohXTs7MHHNj9

VDSA Event- Pajama Movie Night Party
2025-04-12 17:00 - 20:00 | Virginia Down Syndrome Association, 1504 Santa Rosa Rd, Richmond, VA, 23229
You’re Invited to a Pajama Movie Night!
Get ready for a cozy night in! Join us for a pajama movie night filled with snacks, and good company in your pajamas! Don’t forget your pillow and blanket!!
Date: Saturday, April 12th from 5 pm – 8 pm
Location: VDSA’s Activity Room – 1504 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 124
For ages 13+ / Cost: $5.00

VDSA Event- Richmond-Painting Class
2025-04-11 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-03-14 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-02-14 12:30 - 13:30 | Art Factory, 4810 Market Square Lane, Midlothian, VA, 23112
Richmond – Painting Class in Midlothian

Fridays
12:30 to 1:30 pm
$15 per person
Open to All Friends with Disabilities
Dates: January 10, Feb. 14, March 14, April 11 and May 9
Art Factory, 4810 Market Square Ln, Midlothian

ASCV Event: Discovery Club Trip to Washington D.C.
2025-04-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Washington, D.C.
ASCV’s Discovery Club for Homeschool Students is headed to D.C.! Join us a for a field trip to the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

We will travel by carpool with parents by leaving from the ASCV parking lot at 8am, driving to the Springfield Metro station, arriving at approximately 10am, then taking the Metro to the National Zoo at 11:00.
Those who want to go to the Museum of Natural Histroy after the zoo will leave the Zoo at 1:30 and arrive at the Museum of Natural History at 2:30.
The group will stay at the museum until it closes at 5pm. then take the Metro back to the Springfield station.

Admission to the zoo and museum are free, the metro card will be approximately $17 per person, parking at the Metro will be $8 per vehicle.
Families can apply for a transportation scholarship. Those that agree to drive can apply for a transportation scholarship and ASCV will reimburse with a physical gas card.
Please register EACH person who will be attending, including caregivers.

Sportable Event- NWBA Adult Wheelchair Basketball National Championships
2025-04-11 - 2025-04-13 | Henrico Sports & Events Center, 11000 Telegraph Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23060
National Wheelchair Basketball Association, Sportable, Richmond Region Tourism, and Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority are proud to host the 2025 Adult and Junior Division Wheelchair Basketball National Tournaments. To be held over the first two weekends in April 2025, the Championships will take place at the state-of-the-art Henrico Sports & Events Center in Henrico, Virginia.
The top 16 ranked wheelchair basketball teams for each Adult Division (I, II, III) will earn an invitation to their respective divisions’ national tournament.
The top 32 ranked teams for Varsity level and the top 16 ranked teams from Prep level will earn an invitation to participate in the NWBA Junior Wheelchair Basketball National Championships.
In total, 100 teams and over 1,100 wheelchair basketball players will compete for a coveted national title during the two events
NWBA Junior Wheelchair Basketball National Championships – April 4-6, 2025
NWBA Adult Wheelchair Basketball National Championships – April 11-13, 2025

ASCV Event: Teen and Adult Art Series with Art on Wheels
2025-04-10 17:30 - 18:45 | River Road United Methodist Church, 8800 River Road, Richmond, VA, 23229
Autistic teens and adults are invited to join the ASCV and Art on Wheels for a three-week series of art workshops! Each week we will explore a different artistic medium. Come wind down at the end of the day and get creative with us!

DATES

Thursday, April 10
Thursday, April 17
Thursday, April 24

ASCV Event- Webinar: Picky Eating - Sensory Aversions & Ritualistic Eating
2025-04-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join the ASCV & Amaka Ozah Winslow, M.S., CCC-SLP for an informational webinar on Picky Eating: Sensory Aversions and Ritualistic Eating!
The term “picky eater” is generally associated with a person—whether young or old—that has strong food preferences based on what foods they find appealing to eat. These individuals may have what some may consider “odd” food choices, but they are generally able to navigate through most situations well enough to grow and maintain their weight, and it is not highly disruptive to their lifestyle or overall health.
What happens when “picky eating” enters into the realm of “highly selective eater” or “failure to thrive”? What happens when the decision as to whether they eat something or not is based on a sensory condition and not a preference issue? Now, we enter the world of sensory aversions and ritualistic eating behaviors, which are two subsets of highly selective eating. These issues are further compounded in the context of autism spectrum disorder due to hyperresponsiveness (other terms for this include oral aversion, sensory modulation dysfunction, (oral) hypersensitivity, hyperarousal, sensory defensiveness, and hyperacusis) (Baranek, et al., 2007).
Hyperresponsiveness is generally caused by a sensory processing disorder/SPD (Mulligan, et al., 2021), or genetic factors resulting in changes to the functioning of the gut, brain, and sensory system (Byrska, et al., 2023). As a result of the ritualistic eating behaviors caused by SPD, parents are often stressed by the severe limitations imposed on the child’s diet (Smith, et al., 2005) and the severe texture limitations that results in an unwillingness for food exploration (Talay-Ongan & Wood, 2000).
The purpose of today’s presentation will be to fulfill the following learner outcomes:
To distinguish the difference between Sensory Aversions to food & Ritualistic Eating Behaviors
To provide basic therapeutic strategies that parents/caregivers can employ to reduce the stressors associated with sensory aversion and ritualist eating.
To provide information on referral information for feeding therapy support and intervention.

Medical Home Plus Event: MHP & FTC Behavior Workshop: 12pm
2025-04-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
In this free workshop, some common myths surrounding children’s behaviors will be dispelled. Parents and educators will be given the “why” behind children’s challenging behaviors and proactive approaches to support positive behavioral outcomes for children.
Carolyn Haydon, an educational consultant in Northern Virginia, specializes in behavioral coaching support and assistance for families navigating special education services and support for their child. Carolyn brings 25+ years of experience in public education, across multiple settings, including classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Many of those years were spent working with families with a child with a disability and supervising special education teams. She also brings with her the perspective of being a parent. Her oldest child is twice-exceptional (2E) and her youngest child has significant learning and social/emotional differences. Carolyn’s areas of certification and expertise include Elementary Education, Special Education, Administration and Supervision, and Applied Behavior Analysis.

Sportable Event-NWBA Junior Wheelchair Basketball National Championships
2025-04-04 - 2025-04-06 | Henrico Sports & Events Center, 11000 Telegraph Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23060

Friendship Circle Event-March Birthday Circle at Loving Acres
2025-03-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Loving Acres, 10800 Chalkley Rd, Richmond, VA, 23237
Named after friend, former board member, and animal lover, Alexis Nichols.We will meet at Loving Acres for a tour of the farm, crafts, and treats as we celebrate March birthdays!Parking is limited! We encourage carpooling.10800 Chalkley Rd, Richmond, VA 23237
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VDSA Event: Rock Your Socks!
2025-03-21 | Virginia
What is Rock Your Socks?

On March 21st every year, people come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, fun, silly socks. The date is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome, and socks were chosen because the Ds chromosomes look like mismatched socks!

We would love it if you could spread the word about World Down Syndrome Day by encouraging your colleagues, friends, and families to wear wacky or mismatched socks on Friday, 3/21. Don’t have wacky socks? No problem! We are selling them! All proceeds will benefit individuals in your area with Down syndrome through the work of VDSA.

Order your socks through the link below:

VDSA Event- River City Inclusive Gym – Henrico/Richmond – Ages 9 to adult
2025-03-15 16:00 - 16:45 | River City Inclusive Gym, 11248 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA, 23238
Monthly on Saturdays
Jan. 18, March 15, April 19 and June 7
4:00-4:45 pm – Ages 9 and up
$10 per session
Space is limited
Siblings welcome

VDSA Event- River City Inclusive Gym – Henrico/Richmond – Ages 2-8
2025-03-15 15:00 - 15:45 | River City Inclusive Gym, 11248 Patterson Ave, Richmond, VA, 23238
Monthly on Saturdays
Jan. 18, March 15, April 19 and June 7
3:00-3:45 pm – Ages 2 to 8
$10 per session
Space is limited

VDSA Event- 11th Education & Transition Conference
2025-03-15 09:00 - 16:00 | J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, 1651 E. Parham Rd., Richmond, VA, 23228, United States
Join more than 400 general and special educators, parents, and other professionals from Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region to discover how to better educate children and young adults with disabilities.

Northstar Event- Family Education Night – The Job Search
2025-03-11 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual
Northstar Career Center presents:
The Job Search: Planning and Supports
Learn about:

Lining up the details: emails, IDs, online applications, etc.
Importance of work experiences
Role of an ESO and Job Coach

Keynote Speakers:

Holly Peele – Northstar Career Center
Tamara Wain – Career Support Systems

This event is virtual. It is the sixth and final event in the six part series. You must register in order to be sent the Zoom link.

Medical Home Plus Presents: IEP Essentials @ 12pm
2025-03-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
IEP Essentials is a live, online 45 minute workshop presented free of charge. This workshop gives parents/guardians of children with special needs the essential knowledge they must have to be effective advocates for their children’s unique educational needs. After attending this workshop, you will understand the key features of IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and Section 504 plans, how to request an educational plan, and how to advocate for your child during the educational planning process.

VDSA Event-Richmond-I’m Determined Self-Advocacy Training
2025-03-01 09:30 - 13:00 | Virginia Down Syndrome Association, 1504 Santa Rosa Rd, Richmond, VA, 23229
Practice Self-Determination Skills for School, Work, and Life!
Join us for the Virginia Department of Education’s I’m Determined self-advocacy program at VDSA. Self-advocates will attend the workshop from 9:30-1 pm and caregivers are welcome for their own special session from 9:45-10:45 am.
A pizza lunch will be provided for all! Contact abranam@virginiadsa.org for more information. Individuals with Down syndrome ages 13+ are welcome. This program is in-person at the VDSA Richmond office but families from all Virginia localities are welcome.

VDSA Event- VCU Basketball Game
2025-02-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Stuart C. Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23284, United States
18 Tickets donated by Synergy Technical

Annual Charidy Fundraiser
2025-02-25 10:00 - 2025-02-26 22:00 | Virtual
At Friendship Circle we believe that every person is valuable, important, and has a unique light to share with the world and people around them. With this concept at our core, Friendship Circle has enriched our community by providing children and teens with disabilities in Richmond with friendship and belonging by pairing them with community Teen Friends where the two share fun and love, building a friendship that deeply enriches both their lives.
Help us raise money to keep our programs free!
Please join us on February 25 – 26, 2025 and help give the gift of friendship. Your donation helps keep friendship THRIVING in the heart of Richmond!
With your help, we can continue to ensure that none of our youth―or their parents―ever feel alone or without a friend to lean on.
We need your help to keep all of our programs completely FREE.
Friendship is priceless. That’s why we never charge our parents for the critical services they receive through the Friendship Circle. Rather, we rely on generous givers like you to help keep our programs completely FREE for kids with developmental disabilities.This annual campaign allows our families and teens to attend all FCVA annual events for FREE! Every dollar you give is one that our families do not have to pay. Please help us keep it that way!

Autism Society Event- Sibshop
2025-02-22 13:00 - 15:00 | The Faison Center, 5311 Markel Road, Richmond, Virginia, 23230
Our ASCV Sibshop group is for youth who have a sibling with a disability. It is a fun and interactive opportunity for brothers and sisters to obtain peer support through games and discussion.
AGES
Sibshop is most appropriate for ages 7-13. Siblings ages 14+ are invited to join us as volunteers for the program! See more below.
SIBLING VOLUNTEERS
Siblings ages 14+ are invited to join Sibshop as volunteers. Email info@ascv.org if you are interested!
TIME
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
LOCATION
Flo and Tony Guzman Community Center at the Faison School (5200 Fitzhugh Ave, Richmond, VA 23230)

VDSA Event- Williamsburg Respite Night
2025-02-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg, VA, 23185, United States
Take a break and let VDSA take care of the rest!

Autism Society Event- Elementary Meetup at the Children's Museum of Richmond Sensory-Friendly Night
2025-02-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Children’s Museum of Richmond – Chesterfield, 6629 Lake Harbour Dr, Midlothian, VA, 23220
Enjoy regular fun activities in the community while getting to meet other families! This month, bring the whole family and join the ASCV at the Children’s Museum of Richmond (Chesterfield Location) for their sensory-friendly night! A cool-down room and sensory supports will be provided.

The Children’s Museum of Richmond is now a designated Autism Friendly Community!

Autism Society Event- Elementary Art Workshop with Art on Wheels
2025-02-20 17:00 - 18:30 | River Road United Methodist Church, 8800 River Road, Richmond, VA, 23229
Join the ASCV and Art on Wheels for exploratory art classes! Guided by Art on Wheels’ highly-trained teaching artists, participants will get hands-on and try a variety of different art mediums.
The ASCV and Art on Wheels staff collaborate to ensure each class is focused on getting to know participant’s interests and aligning them with focused programming goals.
This relaxed and supportive environment is the perfect opportunity to expose your child to art and allow them to flex their creative muscles. No previous art experience is required and all materials are provided!
ART PROJECT
This month we will make “yarn paintings” using yarn and self-adhesive paper!
AGES
5-12
TIME
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
LOCATION
River Road United Methodist Church (8800 River Road, Richmond, VA 23229)
NOTE
Please note that this is not a drop-off program, and caregivers are asked to stay on-site with their participant.

VDSA Event- Richmond-Valentine’s Family Dance & Potluck
2025-02-15 17:00 - 20:00 | Christ Church Epispocal, 500 Pouncy Tract Rd., Glen Allen, VA, 23059, United States
VDSA is pleased to host a Family Valentine’s Dance & Potluck at Christ Church Episcopal on February 15th from 5pm-8pm. All ages are welcome! Please register 1 family per ticket.
Sign-up to bring a dish here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4DA8AC22A3F49-54458419-valentines
