Friendship Week at CHIRS

CHIRS celebrated Friendship Week from Tuesday, February 21st to Friday, February 24th. ADS staff and students, along with numerous mentors, helped to create, organize, promote and facilitate Friendship themed contests, events, communal art and programming that was presented over the course of Friendship Week. With the help of everyone, the team organized friendship themed programs, watched friendship themed movies and tv shows, and played friendship related games.

At the end of a wonderful week, we organized a client led Multi Agency Special Event on Friday, February 24th. The event had a Friendship theme and was created and hosted by clients with some staff support from CHIRS as well as other agencies.

Both the week and the Multi Agency Special Event were a success. Cheers to all the staff, students, mentors, and participants in putting together a phenomenal week.

Participants playing the "Newlywed Game" during the Multi Agency Special Event

Dave S. dumping water on his head because he lost in a game

Ending the event with Roy A., Dave S., and Margie C. leading us through songs about friendship

Students Anne P. and Aileen C. played integral roles in bringing this year's friendship week together. Since they themselves have become good friends in a short period time, I decided to interview them on the following questions.

1. In your own words, what is a friend?

Aileen: A friend is some one that you can rely on and enjoy spending time with.

Anne: A good friend is someone who you can rely on, can trust and is there for you when times are hard. You are also not afraid to be vulnerable and your true self with because you know that they won't judge you.

2. What makes/defines a good friendship?

Aileen: Honesty, communication, and fun!

Anne: A definition of a good friendship involves being therefore each other when they need you. Sometimes a friendship might not be 50/50, and that’s okay. It doesn’t always have to be an equal give and take all the time. We all have different situations and hardships that arise at different times. A good friend should be able to recognize when their friend needs more support at a certain time and also recognize that their friend should also do the same for them.

3. When do you know that someone will become a good friend?

Aileen: If I can talk for hours about anything and everything with someone I know that they will become a good friend of mine. I also know that someone will become a good friend if I can trust them with the things that I share.

Anne: Sometimes it can be hard to tell. I have become best friends with someone almost instantly and with others, friendships have formed over time. I think becoming good friends is easy if you have shared interests, values and beliefs.

4. What would you like to say to your friends right now (if anything)?

Aileen: I would tell my friends that I appreciate them very much and that I love them!

Anne: I would like to tell them that I hope we will be friends forever and that our kids will be best friends with each other. Also, no matter where we are in the world, I will always be there for them.

Thank you Anne and Aileen for such delightful answers.