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 Amanda DeGiovanni at adegiovanni@friendsinactionnh.org for more information.
Basketball
ON A PAUSE DUE TO COVID. Basketball club meets on Thursdays from 4:30-6:00 at the Robert J. Lister Academy. 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.
WHERE: Robert J. Lister Academy, 35 Sherburne Road Portsmouth
WHEN: Thursdays, 4:30-6:00pm
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 at the Connie Bean building in Portsmouth, NH.
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
Dinner Club
ON PAUSE DUE TO COVID. 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 12 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, 4:00-5:30pm
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 or Tuesday 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 Wednesdays
Friday Night Social
Friday Night Social is a gathering of young people from many different area towns. Participants play basketball, 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: Robert J. Lister Academy, 35 Sherburne Road, Portsmouth
WHEN: Second and fourth Friday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm
Game/Crafts Club
Game/Craft Club is led by a crafty staff person who loves to have fun and create. The group will choose if they want to do a craft or play a board game for the afternoon with the staff supporting the group. Games will range from UNO, The Game Of Life or a painting or color project. This group is designed to keep people smiling and having fun in a social atmosphere.
WHERE: Greenleaf Recreation Center, 195 Greenleaf Avenue, Portsmouth
WHEN: Mondays, 2:30-4:00pm
Movie Night
On the second Tuesday of every month, a group of friends join to enjoy a movie and some popcorn together at Portsmouth Cinemagic. 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. Movies are generally around 6:00 or 7:00pm with a pick up time of 9:00pm.
WHERE: Regal Cinema, 45 Gosling Road, Newington NH
WHEN: Second 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: Mondays from 2:30-4:00pm and 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.
All participants must be a high school graduate to participate.
Watch a typical day of Wildcat Friends on New Hampshire Chronicle. Watch the episode here.
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 Amanda by filling out the form below. She will review and be in touch!
