The first Friendship Circle center opened in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan; now there are many chapters across the United States and Canada.
LifeTown Shoppes have stores and businesses where young people can learn life skills with the help of volunteers and professional staff.
[10] The Friendship Circle is a community-based program that brings together people of diverse abilities and interests.
Members of The Friendship Circle participate in a diverse range of activities and experiences tailored to each age group.
[11] Some Friendship Circle chapters have turned to founding social enterprise programs employing young people with special needs, such as bakeries[12][13] and thrift shops.