Friendship Place

Friendship Place Friendship Place is a community center that is located in the Meadow Park neighborhood of Rochester, MN. "Where everyone can find a friend."

We offer an after-school program for Kindergarten through 5th Grade, Tuesdays through Thursdays, following the public school schedule, from 4:15-5:45 pm, where we offer homework help, arts, crafts, supervised play, and share a snack or meal. We also offer homework help for grades 6-12 Tuesday through Thursday evening from 7:00-8:30. Apart from these two main programs, we also have a summer program

that runs through June and July, as well as other events and field tre tips throughout the school year. We also reach out to our neighbors with events like National Day Out and just having people live at Friendship Place. Friendship Place is supported by local churches and operates mainly through the work of volunteers. If interested in how you can work with Friendship Place, contact the director at [email protected]

Waves of Alignment Week 3We moved from awareness into translating our emotions through the garden. Joined by our friend ...
06/17/2026

Waves of Alignment Week 3

We moved from awareness into translating our emotions through the garden. Joined by our friend Ms. Cole from Griot Arts, students read Jayden’s Impossible Garden and reflected on how challenges can be worked through with care and patience.

Students shared countless stories😂, compared Jayden’s garden to the Friendship Place garden, watered our plants, and decorated pots that’ll become home to some of their favs.🌻

First Fun Friday of the summer - Water Day!
06/13/2026

First Fun Friday of the summer - Water Day!

Waves of Alignment - Through our composting lesson, students discovered that not everything belongs in the same pile, an...
06/11/2026

Waves of Alignment - Through our composting lesson, students discovered that not everything belongs in the same pile, and that each material plays a different role in the process. As they reflected on our mesh bag activity, journaling, and drawings, we connected this idea to emotions. Just as we sort materials to help them break down and become something useful, we can notice, name, and make space for our feelings. When we understand what we’re feeling, we’re less likely to misplace those emotions in our words and actions.

An art project using Adinkra symbols, which were originally created by the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
06/10/2026

An art project using Adinkra symbols, which were originally created by the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

The Safari continues!
06/09/2026

The Safari continues!

Week 2 of Waves of AlignmentThis week, our young gardeners are exploring what it means to slow down, tune in, and become...
06/09/2026

Week 2 of Waves of Alignment

This week, our young gardeners are exploring what it means to slow down, tune in, and become aware of the energy they bring into the world around them. Through mindfulness, movement, reflection, and creative expression, we practiced noticing our thoughts, feelings, and reactions without judgment.
Just as a seed must orient itself toward the sun to grow, we too must learn how to recognize what helps us feel grounded, connected, and aligned.

In between our meditation and game of charades, students shared a range of emotions and even tapped into their acting skills, creating meaningful moments of connection, self-expression, and fun.

Today's reminder: Awareness is the first step toward growth. 🌻

Day 1 of Africa Week
06/08/2026

Day 1 of Africa Week

Come support the programming at Friendship Place! It is so easy, just enjoy a meal with someone you love.
06/03/2026

Come support the programming at Friendship Place! It is so easy, just enjoy a meal with someone you love.

Thank you RCC for the Honkers tickets! What a great night! The boys will always remember it.
06/02/2026

Thank you RCC for the Honkers tickets! What a great night! The boys will always remember it.

🌱 Waves of Alignment: Day 1 🌱Today our students officially began their Waves of Alignment journey!We started by transpor...
06/02/2026

🌱 Waves of Alignment: Day 1 🌱

Today our students officially began their Waves of Alignment journey!

We started by transporting plants before gathering indoors with the support of our amazing Master Gardeners and interns. Students explored seed sorting and used a variety of seeds to create and decorate plant outlines of their choice, blending creativity, nature, and learning.
Of course, we can't forget the delicious snack and nutrition education provided by Kowsar, a former SNAP-Ed employee. One student was especially excited and joked, "I'm gonna turn into a bunny!" sending the room into laughter.

While the activities were meaningful, one of the most important moments happened during a difficult transition. A student experiencing a meltdown was able to connect, vent, and feel heard. Later, we noticed a shift in the student's demeanor and ability to re-engage.

And that's exactly what Waves of Alignment is about.

Every child has different needs. Different tools. Different adults they connect with. Sometimes growth looks like planting seeds. Sometimes it looks like creating art. And sometimes it looks like having a safe person to talk to so you can process your emotions and return to learning in a healthy way.

We're not just growing gardens. We're growing confidence, connection, emotional awareness, and belonging.

Here's to a beautiful first day and many more moments of alignment ahead.

Address

1429 4th Avenue SE
Rochester, MN
55904

Opening Hours

Monday 3:30pm - 6pm
Tuesday 3:30pm - 9pm
Wednesday 3:30pm - 9pm
Thursday 3:30pm - 9pm
Friday 3:30pm - 6pm

Telephone

(507) 529-8791

Website

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