Our Mission Statement

Supporting, empowering and bringing inclusion to children
And young adults with physical and/or mental disabilities

Circle of Friends Ministry is a Lake Wales-based, non-profit Christian organization that provides support and friendship to “Special Needs” children – those with physical and /or developmental disabilities – and their families.

Special needs children is just that: Children, but they have far greater needs than most others. Neighbors and community members are often unsure how to respond to these needs, so children with disabilities and their families are left to feel abandoned behind walls of isolation and prejudice.

Circle of Friends was founded by Lake Wales resident Mertice Fehringer who, after failing to find support for her own special needs family, decided to take a stand and become an advocate for her daughter who was mentally challenged and other children with disabilities she had come to know and love. She was determined to make a difference in their lives and in her community.

This campaign to address the barriers of fear and prejudice that separate special needs families from their communities began in a small Sunday school class in 1995. Since then Circle of Friends Ministry has blazed a trail through barred doors, helping children with disabilities discover the same opportunities that others enjoy.

One unique aspect of Circle of Friends Ministry is its corps of young volunteers called “Joyfulteers.” Through Circle of Friends, these children have been given the opportunity to join in and learn how to be a friend. They have been rewarded with friendship in return. Siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews of disabled children have led the way in showing these young volunteers that we are really more alike than different.

Within these pages you will find children with all types of disabilities and ages along with their Non-disabled friends. Sending out a message to our community that children – all children – need love, acceptance, and the feeling of belonging. They need to know they are valuable for who they are and what they can give.