Join Our Programs
Friends in Action offers a number of programs and activities for people ages 15-35. Friends in Action also collaborates with two organizations to bring programs to older folks. Living Innovations offers programs for ages 21 and up. Best Buddies UNH offers a buddy program on the UNH Campus to young adults ages 18-35.
Best Buddies UNH
(ages 18-35)
Best Buddies is an international program started in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships. Best Buddies UNH was started in the fall of 2010 by energetic students wanting to bring this great program to the Seacoast area. Students from UNH are matched one-to-one with people with disabilities from the community. Matches talk once per week and meet twice per month. Group activities for all matches happen regularly. Activities may include watching sporting events, visiting dorms, eating in the dining hall, playing video games, and having dances. All activities take place on the UNH Campus. UNH students cannot drive buddies. To sign up, contact Alex Cousins add29@unh.edu or 603-770-1019.
Basketball Club (ages 15-35)
Our very popular Basketball club meets on Mondays from 2:30-4:00 at the Greenleaf Recreation Center. During summer months, basketball location and time are different. 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. During Mondays we also have Dancer-cize (see below)
Bowling
(ages 15-35)
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 6:00-7:30. Participants bowl as many games as possible during this time with four people to a lane. The cost includes shoes and bowling at $7.50 per person.
Cooking Club
(ages 21-35)
Cooking Club is a social club that combines following directions and working with others to achieve a healthy meal for the entire group. Participants make the meal, help serve each other and do clean up together. These monthly cooking nights are themed around a specific country. One month it’s Mexican food, while the next it might be Italian. The cost is $5.00 per person to cover food supplies. Parents love it because there is always dessert at pick-up.
Dancer-cize
(ages 15-35)
Stretching and waking up bodies for some free-flowing and fun dancing is what Dancer-cize is all about. Dancer-cize is lead by energetic staff who have had no dance training but enjoy dancing very much. With innovative dance steps such as hula-hoop hopscotch, ribbing dancing, and the ever so popular “Shout” dance, students leave tired and excited for the next session. This is a class designed to get heart rates up and people smiling and is held Mondays from 2:30-4:00 at the Greenleaf Recreation Center.
Friday Night Social
(ages 15-35)
Friday Night is a social gathering of young people ages 15-35. Participants play basketball, dance to music provided by a DJ, make craft projects, eat pizza and socialize. University of New Hampshire students participate regularly as volunteers. Come meet us the second and fourth Friday of the month at the Greenleaf Recreation Center. Friday Night Social is our most popular program with 60-80 people participating each time.
Friday Night At Living Innovations
(ages 21 and up)
Once a month the Living Innovations building transforms into a hip happening spot for adults to boogie down with a live DJ and pizza for a great socialization outlet. Whether themed or not all attendees come dressed to impress and enjoy the night out on their own. Friday Night Live takes place on the first Friday of every month at the Living Innovations building , 1950 B Lafayette Rd Portsmouth NH 03801. Living Innovations requires the participants to sign up over the phone to ensure your spot. This is becoming a large event so call up and reserve a spot for the next dance coming up!
Contact Walt Wilcox at wwilcox@livinginnovations.com or 603-430-5430 x101 for information and to sign up.
Heartbreakers Club at Phillips Exeter Academy
(ages 15-35)
A group of students from Phillips Exeter Academy and young women from the community participate in social activities on the first and third Tuesday of the month while PEA is in session. Activities include craft projects, dance class, yoga instruction, group games, karaoke and much more. This is a wonderful relaxed setting for participants and students to form friendships and enjoy each other. View past photos.
Movie Night
(ages 15-35)
Twice a month a group of young adults meet at Regal Fox Run Stadium 15 on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month to enjoy a good movie and some popcorn together. Movie for the week is posted on the calendar a few days before the movie date. The information is also emailed if you sign up for the movie email list. Participants are greeted at the door by a staff member and can be assisted in the purchase of their movie ticket. All participants are encouraged to sign up for the Regal Crown Card which comes at no cost to the public. Having this card earns the individual points towards future free movie ticket as well as $2.00 small popcorn purchases on Tuesday nights. Movies are generally around 7:00 p.m. and families are welcome to stay and view the movie along with the group.
Wildcat Friends
(ages High School Graduate to 35)
Wildcat Friends allows young adults with developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience college. On Wednesdays from 3:00 – 7:00, students with disabilities come to campus to experience a class geared towards their specific interests, a recreation activity, and a dining hall experience. UNH students from the various departments are involved in activities.
The overall goal of Wildcat Friends is for young adults with disabilities to experience college in a meaningful and stimulating way that would allow them to interact and make friends with college students, discover a lifelong love of learning, and have an experience that is 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 other Friends Project activities for at least 6-12 months. This program was featured by New Hampshire Chronicle, watch the episode.
Current news and information is published in our photo gallery. For Fall 2009 through 2010, view our old blog at www.wildcatfriends.blogspot.com.
Yoga at Living Innovations
(ages 21 and up)
Yoga is not only great exercise, but an amazing way to relax and appreciate ourselves. In this class, participants learn how to stretch and strengthen their bodies. They also learn how to relax, to focus, and to use yoga to help them in their daily lives. Students are challenged, both physically and emotionally, and learn how to more easily move through those challenges. Each student is encouraged to discover his or her greatest potential though the practice of yoga. All classes are based on the physical practice of yoga incorporating postures and movements. Yoga philosophies are discussed when appropriate. Students learn to bring yoga out of the classroom and into their lives. Yoga is taught be a certified yoga instructor. Contact Walt Wilcox at wwilcox@livinginnovations.com or 603-430-5430 x101 for information and to sign up. This activity meets weekly at Living Innovations 1950 B Lafayette Rd Portsmouth NH 03801
