Kids with social, emotional, and medical needs often experience interruptions in school. This leads to isolation, a lack of self confidence, and less time to build and develop meaningful long lasting friendships. The Integrative Touch TeleFriend program provides these children with the opportunity to make these connections in spite of their circumstances.
Kids who participate in the TeleFriend program are given the opportunity to feel seen, heard, understood, build positive friendships, social skills, and their confidence. This joyful and transformative experience encourages life-changing social and emotional growth for everyone!
About the TeleFriend Program
The TeleFriend program is customized to meet your child’s needs. Before the program begins, we will interview and match one kid, a youth volunteer, and one adult volunteer to be on your child’s team, providing them with friendship and support. After we find the perfect volunteers for your kid, they will meet online to explore their common interests and spend valuable time together. Friends talk, play games, rest stories, enjoy activities, create long term connections and more.
These online hangouts are accessible from anywhere, no matter where you are located in the country. Your child will meet with their friends during weekly, one hour sessions that are held during weekdays after school. Each program series runs for 5-8 weeks, depending on the season. InTouch offers multiple series throughout the year, and your kid can participate in several series.
TeleFriend volunteers needed! Any child in need can apply to meet new friends. Youth and adult volunteers (aged 8 – adult) can apply to provide friendship and social support. Kids who are hospitalized or isolated at home, experiencing significant life challenges, or who communicate non-verbally are all welcome!