Pathways to
Friendship
We have chemistry. We enjoy each other’s company. We trust, understand, respect, and appreciate each other. We like how we feel when we’re together. We are close even when we are apart. We look forward to being together. We commit over some time. We give to each other. We may not give in the same way, but what we give and what we receive is of great value to each of us.
Widening the Circle
Widening the Circle, which includes Pathways to Friendship, is a collaborative initiative on social inclusion between the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and The Arc of Massachusetts.
The Pathways collaboration explores the benefits of relationships between people with and without disabilities, and provides information about resources to help interested individuals, families and organizations engage in and sustain those relationships.
Our partner in collecting information is the Center for Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Research (CDDER), part of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). A report on two years of data can be accessed here.
Friendship Develops Where You...
Join Our Regional Inclusion Networks
These virtual meetings focus on furthering inclusion within organizations and communities. They are a forum to share best practices, to network, and to learn from short presentations. All are welcome to join! There are currently three Regional Inclusion Network Meetings.
Southeast
Held the 2nd Wednesday of every other month from 10:00 – 11:30AM.
Meeting ID: 869 1467 2732
Passcode: 174902
2024 Dates:
- 2/14/24
- 4/10/24
- 6/12/24
- 8/14/24
- 10/9/24
- 12/11/24
Contact: Katie Driscoll at driscoll@arcmass.org
Attend Meeting
Metro/Northeast
Held the 1st Thursday of every other month from 10:00 – 11:30AM.
Meeting ID: 811 4911 0266
Passcode: 908968
2024 Dates:
- 2/1/24
- 4/4/24
- *6/13/24*-The 2nd Thursday of the month due to a scheduling conflict
- 8/1/24
- *10/10/24*-The 2nd Thursday of the month due to Rosh Hashanah
- 12/5/24
Contacts:
Phoebe Goodman at goodman@arcmass.org
Rachel Hayward at rhayward@arcmass.org
Attend Meeting
Central/West
Held the 2nd Thursday of every other month from 10:00 – 11:30AM.
Meeting ID: 863 9773 7679
Passcode: 626290
2024 Dates:
- 1/11/24
- 3/14/24
- 5/9/24
- 7/11/24
- 9/12/24
- 11/14/24
Contact: Rachel Hayward at rhayward@arcmass.org
Attend Meeting
Friendship Stories
Warren and Velvet: Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
Warren and Velvet have been friends for over 20 years. They have weathered life’s ups and downs together and have developed a bond deeper than friendship…they are family.
Jonathan and Joy: Friends Reconnected
Jonathan and Joy have known each other since the third grade. When they lost touch, Jonathan did not give up on their friendship!
Uly and Rachel: Friends in Advocacy and in Life
Uly and Rachel started as co-workers, but they bonded over their passion for advocacy work and ice cream, and became good friends!
Norma Y Phoebe: De Personal Y Cliente A Amigas
Norma y Phoebe comenzaron como personal y cliente, pero con el paso de los años, su relación se convirtió en una hermosa amistad.
Norma and Phoebe: From Staff and Client to Friends
Norma and Phoebe started off as staff and client, but over the years their relationship grew into a beautiful friendship!
Mark and Jack: From Fans to Friends
Mark and Jack’s friendship started from a mutual love of the Red Sox and Fenway Park and has grown from there!
Janine and Allison: Best Buddies to Great Friends
Janine and Allison were matched through a Best Buddies program at Stonehill College. Their relationship far outlasted their college years, and they have grown from buddies into wonderful friends!
Bob and Erik: Intergenerational Friends
Bob and Erik’s connection grew out of walking and talking at Achilles International events. Their relationship spotlights the importance of intergenerational friendships.
Sam and Jerry: The Thrill of Friendship
Sam was 8 and Jerry was 14 when they paired up at Loon Mountain. They ended up skiing together for the rest of the day, and for the next twenty years!
Daniel and Korynn: Best Friends Forever
High schoolers Daniel and Korynn share a love of music, sports, and selfies. Their friendship endured throughout the pandemic and remains strong as they plan for life after graduation.
Jordan and Laura: Actors and Friends
Jordan and Laura’s bond stemmed from a mutual love of acting. It has now grown into a beautiful 12-year friendship.
Lilly and Sydney: Unified in Friendship
Lilly and Sydney originally became friends in preschool but then went off to different schools. They reconnected when both joined Unified Sports teams at the start of 9th grade.
Austin and Alex: Charting a Course to Friendship
Austin and Alex met twenty years ago as teens at a sailing program at Piers Park Sailing Center. After losing touch, they recently reconnected and have forged an even closer bond as adults.
Pathways Video Library
View friendship stories, trainings, webinars, and more on demand.
The Pathways to Friendship team and partners have chronicled incredible stories of inclusion and modeled examples for you to learn from. All of this and more can be found in the on demand Video Library.
Browse Video Library
Get Connected
Join the Pathways to Friendship Facebook Group
Join the community to collaborate with others!
Join Now
Additional Resources
- Friendship & Inclusion
- Trainers Corner
- Presentations
- Social Capital
- Match Making
- Person-Centered Planning
- Recursos en Español
Friendship & Inclusion
Documents:
- How to Facilitate Friendships for Kids (0-13)
- How to Facilitate Friendships for Transition Aged Youth (14-22)
- How to Facilitate Friendships for Adults (22+)
- Pathways to Friendship’s Guide to Socially Distanced Activities
- Pathways to Friendship’s Lessons Learned During COVID-19
- Friends: Connecting People with Disabilities and Community Members
- The Integrated Friendship Star
- Friendships and the IEP
- Friendships and the ISP
- Strategies For Direct Support
- Tale of Two Bridges
- DDS Social Inclusion
Videos and Websites:
- Family Support: A Lightbulb Moment
- Facilitating Friendship: A Parent’s Story
- Teaching Friendship: How Schools Can Support Friendship Between Students With and Without Disabilities
- Inclusion Press
- Imagine (David Pitonyak)
- Inclusion is not Cancelled Webinar
- Opening Doors to Inclusion
- Old Colony YMCA: A Culture Shift to Inclusion
Trainers Corner
Presentations
- Inclusion is not Cancelled Webinar
- Supporting People with Complex Medical Needs Towards Meaningful Friendships in Their Communities by Linda Surprenant
- John O’Brien Presentation
- Person-Centered Design Sessions
- The 2022 Celebrating Connections Conference Playlist
- Relationships at Work: Creating Connections to Ensure Success
- 2024 Community Bridging Grant Symposium (full video)
Social Capital
- Creating Community Connections
- Culture of Connecting
- Companions on the Journey Factsheet
- Supporting Social Roles
- Social Capital TED Talk
- Creating our Common Wealth
- 75 Things You Can Do To Build Community
- Samantha Gibbs: Living a Life of Valued Roles
- Seeing the Possibilities: A Video for Parents and Caregivers
Recursos en Español
- Norma Y Phoebe: De Personal Y Cliente A Amigas (Video)
- ¿Qué es la Inclusión? (y qué no lo es) (PDF)
- ¿Por qué son importantes los amigos? (PDF)
- Estrategias generales para apoyar las amistades entre personas con y sin discapacidades (PDF)
- Estrategias para que los Profesionales de Apoyo Directo promuevan la amistad (PDF)
- Desarrollo Laboral Y Relaciones (PDF)
- Hacer amigos en la escuela: Estrategias para todos (PDF)
- Cómo Utilizar Su IEP para Promover Conexiones y Amistades (PDF)
- Cómo Usar el Plan de Apoyo Individual (ISP, por sus siglapara Promover Conexiones y Amistades (PDF)
- Una nota importante sobre la especialización: Una Parábola (PDF)
- Análisis de Actividad (PDF)
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