Friendship Community

Friendship Community is a Christian ministry cultivating the capabilities and celebrating the best in individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). Founded in 1972, Friendship Community provides residential services, day programs, and community-based support across Lancaster and Lebanon counties in Pennsylvania. Our mission is to help individuals live with dignity and purpose by offering personalized support and opportunities for growth in a safe, loving, and faith-centered environment.

Our focused ministry area is serving adults with intellectual disabilities and autism through a variety of supports that include residential homes, day programs, spiritual nurture, and employment and vocational training through programs like the Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio. This includes both campus-based and community-integrated services that honor individual choice and promote independence.

Friendship Community is a member of the Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for Autism and Intellectual Disability (PAR), The Arc of Pennsylvania, and the Alliance of Community Service Providers. We are also licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and follow regulatory standards that ensure high-quality care and services for those we support.

Over the years, our organization has grown in both size and scope, now supporting over 150 individuals in more than 24 residential homes and a wide variety of day and community programs. Despite this growth, our core commitment remains the same: to serve and celebrate individuals with ID/A in a Christ-centered environment that values compassion, inclusion, and hope.

At Friendship Community, every gift helps enrich the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. Here are examples of how donations can make a meaningful difference:

• $25 provides art supplies for an individual in our Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio, fostering self-expression and creativity.
• $50 supports one day of Day Program activities, helping individuals engage in life skills training, socialization, and meaningful work.
• $100 helps fund transportation for individuals to access employment, medical appointments, and community inclusion activities.
• $250 supports one week of supported living services in a licensed residential home, including meals, personal care, and staff support.
• $500 provides a scholarship for one individual to participate in six weeks of vocational training through the Heart Gallery or Studio.
• $1,000 helps cover the cost of adaptive equipment or accessibility modifications, enhancing independence and quality of life.
• $2,500 funds a month of individualized care and housing for one individual in a 24/7 staffed residential home.

Every gift—no matter the size—helps cultivate capabilities, celebrate uniqueness, and promote inclusion for the individuals we support.