General Info

Circle of Friends was founded by Lake Wales resident Mertice Fehringer who, after failing to find support for her own special needs family, decided to take a stand and become an advocate for her daughter who was mentally challenged and other children with disabilities she had come to know and love. She was determined to make a difference in their lives and in her community.This campaign to address the barriers of fear and prejudice that separate special needs families from their communities began in a small Sunday school class in 1995. Since then Circle of Friends Ministry has blazed a trail through barred doors, helping children with disabilities discover the same opportunities that others enjoy.