Our Programs
Friends in Action offers a number of programs and activities for young adults that are freshman in high school and up. Please contact Kasey Darnell at kdarnell@friendsinactionnh.org for more information.
Basketball
Basketball club: September – May. No matter what abilities participants bring to the court, the games are all about passing, teamwork and supporting each other for fun pick-up style games.Â
WHERE: LHS Gymnasium
WHEN:Â Mondays 4:00-5:30pm
Summer Basketball: We will announce the time and dates for summer hoops in May! Summer hoops typically starts at the end of June through the first week of August on Mondays & Wednesdays at the Connie Bean building in Portsmouth, NH.Â
Bowling
Bowling meets twice a month on the first and third Thursday. Participants bowl, socialize, and encourage others at this popular game. Bowling takes place at Bowl-O-Rama in Portsmouth from 4:30-6:00pm. Participants bowl as many games as possible during this time. The cost includes shoes and bowling at $10.00 per person. Participants are welcomed to order food and eat at the tables behind the bowling lanes.
WHERE: Bowl-O-Rama
WHEN: First & Third Thursday of the month, 4:30-6:00pm
Community Outings
It is always fun to do community activities with friends and families. Join us for a play at Prescott Park, an afternoon cruise on the Thomas Laighton or some mini golf. Friends in Action is always looking for outstanding opportunities for our participants and families to connect and be a part of our local community. Stay tuned for different outings during the year.
WHERE: Community
WHEN: Varied throughout year
Dinner Club
Dinner Club is a social club that combines going out to dinner in our community, healthy eating, paying for individual meals including tip as well as socializing with friends. Participants can sign up a week before the dinner date. The first 10 folks will be accepted, if we can not accept a participant they will be first of the list for the next dinner club. These monthly dinner club nights are very exciting, and our participants very much enjoy getting a nice night out on the town. The participant is responsible to cover the cost of their meal and tip. No alcohol at dinner club.
WHERE: Locally owned restaurants
WHEN: Third Tuesday of the month, 4:00-5:45pmÂ
Echo Thrift Shop
Echo Thrift Shop provides a great place to volunteer while socializing with Friends. Located in Durham, Echo is in easy walking distance to the UNH campus. Volunteers are given a 1-2 hour time slot to volunteer on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesdays when Friends in Action is in charge. Echo is a very popular program and does not always have availability for new volunteers.
WHERE: Echo Thrift Shop, Community Church of Durham, 17 Main Street, Durham, NH
WHEN: Time slots on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday
Friday Night Social
Friday Night Social is a gathering of young people from many different area towns. Participants play board games, dance to music provided by a DJ, make craft projects, play games, eat pizza and socialize. University of New Hampshire students volunteer regularly as well as Portsmouth High School students. Friday Night Social is Friends in Action’s most popular program, with 60+ people participating regularly.
WHERE:Â Community Church of Durham, 17 Main Street DurhamÂ
WHEN: Second Friday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm
Movie Night
On the second Tuesday of every month, a group of friends join to enjoy a movie and some popcorn together at Regal Cinema in Newington. On the fourth Tuesday of the month, we meet at O’Neil Cinema in Epping. The movie for the week is posted on the calendar a few days before the movie date. The information is also e-mailed if you sign up for the movie e-mail list. Participants are greeted at the door by a staff member and can be assisted in the purchase of their movie ticket. Movie night is typically in the 6pm-8:30pm time frame depending on the movie times.
WHERE:Â Second Tuesday: Regal Cinema, 45 Gosling Road, Newington, NHÂ
Fourth Tuesday: O’Neil Cinema, 24 Calef Highway, Epping, NH
WHEN: Second and Fourth Tuesday of the month, start time between 6:00-7:00pm, depending on the movie.
Theater Class
Theater is more than just acting, song and dance. Theater helps participants with self-confidence, speech and communication skills. Every May and December, after three months of practice, participants put on a show for family, friends and UNH students. Each show is unique, with participants picking their favorite songs to work with. There is a fee for Theater Class. Theater is not a drop-in program. Must be a high school graduate to participate.
WHERE: Community Church of Durham, 17 Main Street, Durham, NH
WHEN:Â Wednesdays from 1:00-2:30pm September-December and February-May.
Wildcat Friends
Wildcat Friends gives adults with developmental disabilities a college experience. On Wednesdays from 3:00-7:00pm, students with disabilities come to the UNH campus to enjoy a dining hall experience, a recreation activity and a class geared towards their specific interests. UNH students from various departments volunteer and are involved in activities.
The overall goal of Wildcat Friends is for adults with developmental disabilities to experience college in a meaningful and stimulating way that allows them to discover a lifelong love of learning and have an experience typical of their peers. Wildcat Friends is a fee-based program with limited enrollment. To be considered for this program, participants must be involved in Friends in Action activities for at least 6-12 months.Â
All participants must be a high school graduate to participate.Â
Watch a typical day of Wildcat Friends on New Hampshire Chronicle. Watch the episode here.Â
WHERE: University of New Hampshire Campus
WHEN: Wednesdays from 3:00-7:00pm
September-December and February -May
Sign Up!
Interested in joining one of these fun programs? Reach out to Kasey by filling out the form below. She will be in touch and send FIA paperwork.
 *Paperwork and phone interview must be completed prior to coming to programs*
