Eagle Scout Candidate Builds Relationships!

Many Eagle Scout projects are building structures, but St. Francis’ own James Froh, a ninth grader at John Glenn High school, is building relationships through a program for individuals with special needs (ages 5-21) called Friday Friends. James, an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 113 in Centerport, realized that developing and keeping friendships can be difficult for individuals with special needs and saw an opportunity to help.

Friday Friends is a program where the peer models (called friends) play and hang out with the participants and become their friends. James knows that some kids with special needs may have a difficult time communicating and the peers model language and social behavior for the individuals. It is a drop off program so parents can also go out and know that their children are being taken care of in a safe environment. There is plenty of adult supervision, including James’ parents who are both psychologists. James, who has special training by a BCBA behavior consultant, organizes and oversees the evenings games and small group activities and leads the volunteers.

To raise funds for his project, James held a car wash at St. Francis and was very successful in reaching his goal. James, with the help of his troop, raised enough money to cover pizza, board games, puzzles, Legos and other supplies. One of the biggest contributions covered was the brand new basketball hoop that has been installed in the back parking lot for use not only for Friday Friends, but for our whole St. Francis community! James took the necessary steps to make sure that the hoop is secure and safe.

Friday Friends launched as a pilot program in November and will continue in December and January as part of James’ Eagle project. After the initial pilot, James is opening this wonderful program to our parishioners here at St. Francis from all schools. We are incredibly proud of James and this important new ministry he is creating here at St. Francis. Friday Friends will meet once a month for food, fun and friendship beginning in late winter.