Applications to join the FCVA Inclusive Teen Leadership Board are being accepted until August 30, 2026.

Now Accepting Applications for Students Entering Grades 9–11

The Friendship Circle Inclusive Teen Leadership Board (TLB) consists of students in grades 9 through 12 from high schools across the Richmond area, including: Collegiate, Deep Run High School, Glen Allen High School, Hermitage High School, Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, Patrick Henry High School, Shaarei Torah of Richmond, The New Community School, and The Steward School.

The TLB was created to connect teens with the disability community. As a participant, you will develop interpersonal skills, take on leadership roles, become an advocate, build self-esteem, and form life long friendships.

Students accepted to the Teen Leadership Board, along with a parent or guardian, will be required to review and sign the Friendship Circle Safety & Respect Policy before participating. This policy helps ensure a safe, respectful, and positive experience for everyone involved.

Expectations

• Be an ambassador of Friendship Circle of Virginia’s mission to build an inclusive community, one friendship at a time
• Be an active volunteer 
  • Participate in Friends@Home, or
  • Have attended at least 3 birthday circles and/or community events in the past year
• Be responsive (reply to communications within 48 hours)
• Take any elected leadership position seriously
• Parents understand the commitment and approve of your participation 
• Bring a friend to an event or recruit one person to be a teen friend (from school, clubs, sports, etc)
• Both applicant and parent must sign the Safety & Respect Policy

• Attends monthly TLB meetings with up to 3 excused absences
• Come prepared to meetings and actively participate

• Actively take part in an ambassador project during the program year along with the annual TLB led Birthday Circle at Loving Acres Animal Sanctuary. 

• Birthday Circles
  • Assisting with monthly Birthday Circles
  • Arrive 15 minutes before a Birthday Circle to be paired with a younger teen friend to mentor, or to be matched with a friend with disabilities 
  • Arrive 30 minutes prior to each event to help set up or be ready to be matched with a friend (not required) 
  • Stay after events to help clean up
• Fundraiser
  • Take part in Friendship Circle’s annual online fundraising campaign by creating a fundraising page and sharing it with your family and friends
• Walk N Roll and Disability Inclusion Day
  • Help with setup/cleanup, or
  • Volunteer during the event (man a table, bounce houses, etc.)

Apply for Teen Leadership Board!

***Current Teen Leadership Board members do not need to reapply.  Please notify Tanya@FCVA.org if you will be continuing.