Changing the world, one friendship at a time.

Our Mission

The Friendship Foundation empowers youth and adults with disabilities to build lasting friendships, achieve independence, and lead purposeful lives through community-based social, arts, educational, and vocational programs—while also training peer volunteers in leadership, civic responsibility, and meaningful engagement with neurodiverse communities.

Our Vision & Values

To transform the lives of people with disabilities, their families, volunteers, and eventually society.

We create a welcoming atmosphere where everyone can thrive through engaging activities like sports, art, music, and a variety of social programs – all designed to foster connection and camaraderie among peers. Our dedicated staff and enthusiastic volunteers ensure that every program is a celebration of inclusion and friendship.

The Friendship Foundation enhances local educational initiatives by providing a supportive setting for individuals with disabilities to explore and apply their skills in real-world interactions. By participating in our programs people learn, thrive and grow together, building a foundation of support that extends beyond our events and creates community.

Our History

Established in 2007, the Friendship Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide socially integrated programs to empower individuals with disabilities to build friendships, independence, and community. What started out with 8 youth participants and 22 teen volunteers meeting monthly in Manhattan Beach, has grown into 60 monthly programs and over 80 school clubs across the South Bay and beyond. Today, the Foundation offers year round social and recreational programs five days a week, serving over 5,000 participants and volunteers annually. For the past nineteen years, the Friendship Foundation has championed the belief that inclusive environments foster mutual benefits for individuals with disabilities and the volunteers who provide collaboration and support. The success and growing demand from the Foundation’s existing programs have expanded the vision to include an innovative campus centered around transforming lives, the workforce, and society.