Not Your Average Day Program For Adults With Disabilities

Providing opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to grow personally, develop socially, and be active members of the community.
Group of Friends smiling with logo overlay on bottom
Group of Friends smiling with logo overlay on bottom

Not Your Average Day Program For Adults With Disabilities

Providing opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities to grow personally, develop socially, and be active members of the community.

Providing Opportunities & Changing Perceptions

Grant smells the baking spice as it's being added to the bowl

LIFE SKILLS

Helping Friends grow in self-advocacy, social awareness, safety, and daily living skills.

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SERVICE LEARNING & EMPLOYMENT

Group activities that begin on campus as part of our Weekday Program.

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Four people in front of a green screen on a film set

ADVOCACY THROUGH THE ARTS

Using visual and performing arts to build three main skill areas: self-advocacy, self-expression, and confidence.

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Group of Friends laughing together
monthly giving club logo

Join the Friends of Friends Monthly Giving Club

A community of monthly donors committed to providing opportunities and support for adults with disabilities.

Group of Friends laughing together
monthly giving club logo

Join the Friends of Friends Monthly Giving Club

A community of monthly donors committed to providing opportunities and support for adults with disabilities.

Join Our Community

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ENROLL

Explore how your loved one with IDD can join our community.

 

EXPLORE

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PARTNER

Learn how your business can benefit from a community partnership.

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GIVE

Your generosity is what makes Friends Life Community possible.

 

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VOLUNTEER

You can make a hands-on difference at our Nashville campus.

 

 

HELP OUT

Friends Treat Truck
Text: Spreading Joy One Cone at a Time!

The Friends’ Treat Truck is a mobile ice cream truck that serves up frozen treats, good times, and big smiles for private parties, corporate events, and pop up markets around the city.

Friends in green aprons promoting the Treat Truck
Woman in baker's costume holding cutout hearts over two bowls on stage
Tandem Troupe

Lights, Camera, Action – It’s Your Time To Shine

Tandem Troupe is Friends Life Community’s traveling acting ensemble, performing at schools and businesses and for the general public. The troupe’s joyful and moving performances are a showcase for FLC’s Advocacy Through The Arts program where adults with disabilities practice acting and roleplaying and have the chance to write and perform their own personal works of art live on stage, in front of a public audience.

Friendmade Goods

Art From The Heart Of Our Community

Friendmade Goods are available through our online shop and at various pop up markets and events throughout the year. Featuring the work of adults with disabilities who particpate in our immersive Weekday Program, our line of Friendmade Goods includes original art, prints, homegoods, accessories, and branded merchandise. Practicing self-expression and exploring both creative and business skills, the Friends make, package, and sell original works and wares throughout the Nashville community.

Three people standing together on a fall day

Friends Treat Truck

Friends in green aprons promoting the Treat Truck
Text: Spreading Joy One Cone at a Time!

The Friends’ Treat Truck is a mobile ice cream truck that serves up frozen treats, good times, and big smiles for private parties, corporate events, and pop up markets around the city.

Tandem Troupe

Woman in baker's costume holding cutout hearts over two bowls on stage

Lights, Camera, Action – It’s Your Time To Shine

Tandem Troupe is Friends Life Community’s traveling acting ensemble, performing at schools and businesses and for the general public. The troupe’s joyful and moving performances are a showcase for FLC’s Advocacy Through The Arts program where adults with disabilities practice acting and roleplaying and have the chance to write and perform their own personal works of art live on stage, in front of a public audience.

Friendmade Goods

Three people standing together on a fall day

Art From The Heart Of Our Community

Friendmade Goods are available through our online shop and at various pop up markets and events throughout the year. Featuring the work of adults with disabilities who particpate in our immersive Weekday Program, our line of Friendmade Goods includes original art, prints, homegoods, accessories, and branded merchandise. Practicing self-expression and exploring both creative and business skills, the Friends make, package, and sell original works and wares throughout the Nashville community.

What Friends & Their Families Are Saying

“I like the classes and activities…my favorite class is art. I feel at home when I see my art at Friends Life.”

 

NATALIE

Program Participant, Friend

What Friends & Their Families Are Saying

“People don’t usually think I can do much, but the staff believe in me. I am a true leader now.”

 

KATIE

Program Participant, Friend

What Friends & Their Families Are Saying

“I like Friends Life because of Social Club. I have fun making relationships.”

 

KEONNA

Program Participant, Friend

What Friends & Their Families Are Saying
“We didn’t realize just how important Friends Life Community is to our family’s well being until it was forced to close [temporarily] due to the pandemic. Anna Claire lost interest in practically everything, and she even lost weight. As soon as she was able to attend sessions again…her outlook on life improved 100%. She immediately regained her appetite, and her normal, cheerful demeanor returned. The opportunity to interact with her friends at Friends Life Community is a vital part of Anna Claire’s life, and we are so thankful for it.”

 

ANN & TAD WERT

FLC Parents

Latest Posts

What We Give Up By “Fitting In”

What We Give Up By “Fitting In”

“Fitting in is becoming who you think you need to be in order to be accepted. Belonging is being your authentic self and knowing that no matter what happens, you belong to you.” - Brene BrownOur tagline at Friends Life Community (FLC) is “Everyone deserves to belong.”...

Books and Belonging: What We’re Reading

Books and Belonging: What We’re Reading

It's February, and the Friends are focusing on heart health. Maintaining a healthy heart means taking care of ourselves through exercise and eating well, so that our hearts stay physically strong. It also means tending to our closest relationships to cultivate a sense...

Weaving Connection: Tension and Unity  at Friends Life Community

Weaving Connection: Tension and Unity at Friends Life Community

We kick off the work week every Monday morning with a standing team meeting. It’s a beautiful circle of individuals. Everyone brings professional expertise, unique skill sets, and different perspectives, yet mutual values and a joint mission connect us. Even in the best of teams, working with people is complex and can create tension among members. Luckily, I believe that strong teams and healthy communities require tension.

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Upcoming Events

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Every dollar you donate helps provide opportunities, support, and community for the Friends.

Every dollar you donate helps provide opportunities, support, and community for the Friends.