All year, we are celebrating 20 years of Values Into Action in 2025! As part of this celebration, we are reflecting on grant projects we’ve led throughout the years. Grant projects are a great way to explore a new approach and move the system forward.
Transforming services with you is a core value of ours. The True Friendship Project (TFP) is an example of that core value in action. In this blog, TFP leads share what was accomplished in the first two years of the project, what is to come, and how you can get involved.
Have you ever had something happen that you just can’t wait to share with your friends? Maybe you had a great day at work, the bulbs you planted last fall popped out of the ground as the first sign of spring, or you welcomed a new baby into your family? Most of us would reach out to a friend to share our news over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
Now think about the people we support. Who do they gather with when they want to share their lives? For many people with disabilities, finding friends is not always easy. We surround people with support to keep them safe and healthy, but sometimes we forget that having other people in our lives is important. Friends help us stay safe and can result in improved health outcomes.
The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council recognized this as an under addressed need. Values Into Action proposed the True Friendships Project to help address the need. Over the past two years, we began working towards solutions.
We started by inviting our allies to partner with us. Our formal partners include:
Together, we planned. We created surveys to gather input from people with disabilities and their families. We hosted four virtual Listening Session. We took the information from the surveys and listening sessions and hosted four Learning Sessions. The topics included:
Communication
Safety
Healthy Friendships
Maintaining Friendships
We also had a bit of fun! Some of you may remember the virtual Comedy Night and the Day at the Museum. What better way to make a friend then sharing a laugh!
We learned that people need resources. Lists of things to do and places to go. Guides and tips for how to make friends. Research regarding the “science” of friendship. These were compiled into the Relationship Resource Guide.
We provided access to Open Futures Learning for a select group of providers. The staff from these providers will use this learning platform to help the people they support find friends.
As we approached the end of the two years, we were thrilled to learn we were approved for an additional year! We gathered in Harrisburg with our partners and other allies for our first Futures Planning Symposium. We spent the day reviewing what we’ve accomplished and planning next steps. And we walked away with a fantastic plan and a playlist about friendship!
We selected four providers to participate in a Provider Demonstration Project. They will receive mentoring and support from the project coordinators and Charting the LifeCourse Ambassadors.
We will be planning events in partnership with stakeholders who are education champions and influencers. Stay tuned for updates throughout the year!
We’ll be attending community events to share information on the project.
And we will continue to gather resources to expand the Relationship Resource Guide.
This is an exciting project. We hope you agree and are asking yourself how you can help. Below are a few suggestions:
Identify and share community events we should consider attending
Share resources you’ve gathered to be included in the Relationship Resource Guide
Connect us with education champions and influencers
Join us at events
And don’t forget to take a minute each and every day to reflect on the meaning of friendship. Celebrate the people who are part of your lives. And think about how we can collectively change the culture in our communities so people with disabilities are invited in as valued members and missed when they are absent.
There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.
