Our Stories

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.

The Secret to Spreading Joy and the Science Behind It

The Secret to Spreading Joy and the Science Behind It

The smile on Katie’s face when she handed the staff at Friends Life Community a colorful mystery box, was infectious. The box was wrapped in copy paper, decorated with various illustrations of the sun, flowers, rainbows, butterflies, and bright green grass. We...

Celebrating 15 Years of Lifelong Friendship

Celebrating 15 Years of Lifelong Friendship

Friendship: The Heart of Friends Life Community How much value do you place on your friendships? Can you imagine life without your closest friends? Who do you turn to in times of joy and sorrow? These questions are at the core of what we stand for at Friends Life...

15 Years of Real Community

15 Years of Real Community

Earlier this year, we had the honor of gathering with the original founders of Friends Life Community (FLC) around a familiar dinner table. As we began, Jack Herndon, co-founder and Board Chair at the time, shared a powerful sentiment that has been the driving force...

Celebrating 15 Years of Friendship, Belonging, and Purpose

Celebrating 15 Years of Friendship, Belonging, and Purpose

15 Years of Friendship Fifteen years ago, our story began with the coming together of four founding families — the Herndons, the Hamiltons, the Phillippis and Jennie Scott — and Suzanne Williams. It was around a dinner table that Friends Life Community (FLC) was born....