In the Community

In this episode, Samantha shares insights from her career, the importance of community support among professionals, and the role of mentorship. She highlights her achievements, including developing a virtual camp for individuals with disabilities and her involvement with various nonprofit organizations aimed at fostering inclusion and meaningful connections. Click here to listen Visit Speechie Side … Read more

Camp Wings of Friendship was co-developed and led by The Friendship Journey of South Florida and Dylan’s Wings of Change of Newtown, Conn. The two nonprofit organizations connected by chance and began working together just before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, WOF shifted its initial in-person plans for camp and created virtual programming focused on … Read more

The American Speech–Language–Hearing Association (ASHA) has recognized Samantha with the 2020 Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) Certificate. The certificate was created to identify and acknowledge ECPs in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology who are making an impact in the areas of leadership, volunteering, or advocacy at the local, state, and/or national level.

The LIFEchanger award recognizes a person who made an impact at a pivotal point in someone’s life. Samantha was nominated by one of the campers from Camp Wings of Friendship, Lisa, who shared that camp made her feel valued and included during this time of social isolation. The segment below features the impact that The … Read more

A Parkland native passionate about connecting people through meaningful experiences was nominated for the LIFEchanger Award by WPLG Local 10. The special award recognizes a hometown hero who has significantly impacted a person’s life at a pivotal point. Click here to read more

The Friendship Journey has teamed up with The Florida Panther’s to create South Florida’s first ever Special Hockey Team. To kickoff the season, the Panthers invited the players to the BB&T Center to have their equipment sized, receive jerseys and skate where the Panthers play. There was even surprise visit from Stanley C. Panther and … Read more

In the wake of the Parkland school massacre, when 17 bright lights lost their lives in an unimaginable tragedy, 29-year-old Samantha Novick is bearing witness to the idea that love for your neighbors and community is sustaining. As president of The Friendship Journey, the Coconut Creek, Florida resident offers programs that provide services and opportunities … Read more

Samantha is the President of The Friendship Journey, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that unites individuals of all cognitive & developmental abilities through equitable opportunities and lasting friendships. The mission is to provide inclusive programs to foster relationships, enrich lives and create a community that is home to everyone. Visit thefriendshipjourney.org for more info.

UM-NSU CARD stands for the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities and is based out of the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University. CARD is one of seven state-funded, university-based outreach and support centers in Florida dedicated to optimizing the potential of people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), dual sensory impairment, sensory impairments with … Read more