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Five-year-old Allie Jacobs of West Bloomfield just learned to walk in December.

Allie was diagnosed with infantile spasm syndrome — a seizure disorder that can cause developmental delays — when she was 4 months old, said her mother, Jodie Jacobs.

“Physically it’s trying for her,” Jacobs said. “But she’s getting there.”

Her family receives help from the Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield where Allie goes twice a week to work one-on-one with a volunteer and participate in activities such as art, music and sports.

“It’s a place where no one judges them, and they can be themselves,” Jacobs said.

Allie, her parents, sister, grandparents and friends were among more than 6,000 people who took part Sunday in Walk4Friendship, 5K and 1-mile walks, in West Bloomfield.

The goal of the annual walk — in its seventh year — was to raise $600,000, a third of the organization’s annual budget, organizers said.

“One of the really cool things about the walk is that you don’t have to even donate one penny to come,” said Bassie Shemtov, Friendship Circle director and founder.

But many, including Allie’s family, raised money that supports programs available to about 3,000 people with special needs from southeastern Michigan.

The Friendship Circle offers arts and crafts, a rock-climbing wall, dance room, swings, gym and a water room where special needs kids can throw paint. It also has an area set up like a library, bank, theater, salon, store and pet store where schools bring children to learn life skills.

“Everything’s very therapeutic but fun,” said Lauren Todaro, assistant to the director at Friendship Circle.

Many parents say the organization has been life-changing for their families.

Elianna Weisberg, 7, a third-grader from West Bloomfield, has Asperger’s syndrome and the programs offered have taught her socializing skills, her family said.

“She came her first day and was comfortable and talking to people,” said Elana Weisberg, Elianna’s mother. “And (she’s) getting to share experiences that quite frankly, outside of this little community, she never felt comfortable or safe doing.”

About 900 volunteers help the organization and assist people with special needs ranging in age from 2 to their mid-20s, Todaro said.

Lexie Sittsamer, 18, of Farmington Hills has been a volunteer with the organization since she was in sixth grade, and said it inspired her to major in special education at Western Michigan University.

“The kids who you meet instantly put a smile on your face,” she said. “You learn so much from them.”

Sittsamer has known Allie for about a year and worked with her this summer.

“She’s made so many strides,” she said. “When I met her, she wasn’t walking and now she is.”

Contact Elisha Anderson: 313-222-5144 or eanderson99@freepress.com

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