News Archives - The Friendship Center

Client Success Story: March 2022

“Do not give up; the beginning is always the hardest part.” – Anonymous In July of 2021, SOAR Program Coordinator Eileen Ayala received a call from a distressed mother of a 51 year old female. She explained that her daughter was at risk for homelessness, and that she had to move out of her apartment. …

From the seeds of an idea, a beautiful garden blooms

Evelyn Anderson and Bonnie McNair wiped dirt from their gardening gloves and their brows as they surveyed the finished courtyard border garden that they andother Friends of the Friendship Service Center created through weeks of work. The idea for the garden began when Ana Trammell, Program Coordinator, attended a Friends meeting and said several residents…

South Church makes 10,000 PB & J Sandwiches

Since March 2020, South Church volunteers have been making and packing 200-300 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches every week, along with a snack or two, and delivering them to the Friendship Service Center to hand out with their grab and go hot lunch as a meal for later. South Church turned to this form of…

‘Bunnies for Hunnies’ deliver Easter joy

Each Easter season, approximately 50 stuffed rabbits “hop” into the arms of children who are assisted by the Friendship Center. These new friendships are made thanks to “Bunnies for Hunnies,” a Newington-family organization that was started eight years ago by the Vass family. At that time, the twin daughters, Julianna and Elaina Vass, collected 50…

Warming Center recaps winter 2021 season

As springlike temperatures arrive, memories are fading of the coldest days of the yearwhen the Friendship Center helped people in need at the Warming Center. Located at57 Arch St., the program was opened in response to the state’s Cold Weather Protocolput in place on Dec. 16, 2020. From Jan. 4 until it closed on March…