On Sunday, friendship took centre stage as families, volunteers and community members gathered to celebrate inclusion and support people of all abilities.
The Friendship Circle of Montreal’s annual Walk4Friendship, brought the community together for a cause that organizers say extends far beyond a single day.
The event raises funds for the organization, which provides friendship, recreational activities and vocational opportunities for children, teens and young adults with special needs.
For Sima Paris, co-founder of Friendship Circle of Montreal, the walk represents the power of people coming together to make a difference.
“We have to unite and we have to bring goodness and kindness in the world and these children are special souls,” she said.
Ariel Mechaly, a member of Friendship Circle of Montreal, said, “We’re here again, 2026, Walk for Friendship. We’re here. It’s a beautiful day outside. Let’s do it. “
A community built on friendship
The event featured activities and performances adding to the festivities.
Elise Golbert, event committee chair of Friendship Circle of Montreal, said the turnout reflected the community’s commitment to inclusion.
“It’s so amazing to be here for the Walk for Friendship,” Golbert said.
“Everyone’s gathered here today. We have exotic cars, clowns. All of our friends are here to support the Friendship Circle, which is an amazing organization that helps special needs. children, and so we’re all here to help support and to include everybody.”
Golbert said she was proud to be part of an organization that makes a difference for families.
“It really changes lives for the better, and it helps out families, and it’s just an amazing organization.”
Sonia Zarbatany, host of Walk4Friendship, said the event is an opportunity for people to celebrate the organization while raising money for its work.
“The message is friendship, the message is inclusion, the message is the very best day where we get to come together for an incredible cause,” Zarbatany said.
“Friendship Circle is a place where everyone needs to come. They’re absolutely wonderful and today we get to celebrate them. We get to walk together with them. We get to raise money and have an incredible family day.”
Creating opportunities for people of all abilities
Beyond the annual walk, Friendship Circle provides programs designed to help participants develop skills, build relationships and find opportunities to contribute to their communities.
Refael Paris, operations and assistant director of Friendship Circle of Montreal, said the organization aims to create an environment where people and families feel accepted.
“At Friendship Circle, we create vocational and recreational opportunities for people of all abilities through friendship and inclusion, through all different kind of services, support for families,” he said.
“Today we promote friendship and inclusion. We come together to spread kindness, unconditional love and an environment, a safe haven for families to feel welcome and accepted for who they are.”
The organization also provides other opportunities, including work in its bakery and chocolate factory, giving participants opportunities to develop skills and gain employment. Sima Paris said these programs can be especially important as young people grow older and face fewer opportunities for social connection and support.
“They just feel that there’s a purpose in the world,” she said.
Personal connections make a difference
For participants and their families, the organization offers a place to build relationships, explore interests and feel part of a community.
“Friendship Circle is a great place and it’s a very friendly place and also I love all the volunteers and all the staff,” said Jarrod Lipman, a member of Friendship Circle of Montreal.
His mother, Donna Lipman, expressed her gratitude for the organization’s work with participants and their families.
“I am so thankful for the Friendship Circle because they care so much and they just look at it. Everything is just 100 per cent great,” she said.
Jonathan Pepin, another member of Friendship Circle of Montreal, said he enjoys spending time at the organization.
“I feel really, really good because, you know, I’m enjoying the Friendship Circle that is very nice in here,” Pepin said.
Keren Shuker, a member of the event committee, said the organization’s inclusive atmosphere has also made a difference for her family.
“It really, really is so special to be here and I have my own family, my kids come here and it truly is amazing to be sending a message of inclusivity and for everybody to be part of feeling like they’re part of something and to be involved and to share special memories and Just be here all together,” she said.
Her husband, Elroy Shuker, said the event was also a chance to celebrate their family, as one of their children was celebrating a birthday.
“We’re celebrating at the Friendship Circle because of how an amazing organization it is,” he said.
“And I’m very, very proud of everybody involved and especially my wife who’s been such a pillar to this community and making sure that everybody has a great day,” he added.
Finding strength through inclusion
For Steven Abadi, a full-time music teacher and music therapist at Summit School who also teaches Friendship Circle’s weekly Tuesday music class, the organization’s message of inclusion has personal significance.
Abadi said he previously participated in Friendship Circle’s programs and understands the challenges some people face when trying to find a place where they belong.
“Growing up, there were certainly challenges, there were social difficulties, there were these, you know, certainly times where I didn’t feel like I would fit in. to the mold,” he said.
Returning to the organization in his role as a teacher has given him the opportunity to encourage participants to recognize and develop their abilities.
“Coming full circle, how far I’ve come now, getting that chance to just embrace others who are on the spectrum, I think has been the greatest pleasure,” Abadi said.
He said creating an inclusive community means giving everyone the opportunity to discover their strengths and share them with others.
“And that’s how I think we can all best serve our communities, by just encouraging every single person to find their voice, to find their inner strength, and to help them release it to the world.”
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