Building inclusive communities starts with one belief: no one should feel invisible. When isolation impacts families and young people feel disconnected from purpose, one nonprofit leader is building bridges that matter. Levi Stein of Friendship Circle Wisconsin shares how authentic connection transforms communities — and why the next generation of leaders is already here.

How Friendship Circle Wisconsin Creates Meaningful Inclusion for People with Disabilities

Friendship Circle Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating meaningful, inclusive community experiences for individuals with disabilities, supporting their families, and engaging volunteers — especially teens and young adults — in life-changing opportunities to build friendships and reduce isolation. But it’s more than programming; it’s about fundamentally changing how communities see and embrace people with disabilities.

Levi explains the ripple effect: “We create spaces where no one feels invisible or alone.” When you build real community, isolation decreases, families find support networks, and young volunteers discover purpose beyond themselves.

What Inspired Levi Stein to Lead a Disability-Focused Nonprofit

For Levi, leadership didn’t come from a business degree or five-year strategic plan. It came from witnessing real pain. “Early on, I saw firsthand how isolation impacts families who have children with disabilities, and how equally disconnected so many teens feel in a world driven by screens and surface-level interactions.”

That observation became a mission for building inclusive communities: What if we created spaces where both groups could connect authentically? What if struggling teens found purpose through serving others? What if families with disabled children felt less alone? That’s where Friendship Circle Wisconsin was born.

Who Benefits Most From Friendship Circle Wisconsin

Levi’s “ideal customer” (really, his community) comes in three interconnected groups:

1. Individuals with disabilities and their families — seeking supportive community, meaningful friendships, and opportunities to grow and belong.

2. Teens and young adults — who want to make a real impact while building skills, empathy, and purpose (often their first volunteer experience).

3. Community partners — organizations and businesses looking to create inclusive initiatives rather than performative ones.

When these groups connect, the work of building inclusive communities creates transformation across all three simultaneously.

The We Can Save Lives Tour: Friendship Circle’s Suicide Prevention Initiative

One recent milestone stands out: the We Can Save Lives Tour — a suicide prevention initiative offering free safeTALK trainings across Wisconsin. Launched in memory of Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, a community champion for mental health, the tour reflects Levi’s belief that prevention training should never be behind a paywall.

“Our goal was to train people across the state to recognize when someone is having thoughts of suicide and connect them to help.” Since then, hundreds of Wisconsinites have learned to be lifeline connectors in their own communities — a direct result of removing barriers to access.

How Technology and Innovation Expand Friendship Circle’s Reach

At Friendship Circle Wisconsin, innovation serves connection, not the reverse. “We use innovation and technology in practical, meaningful ways that help us connect people, expand our impact, and break down barriers.”

Their approach includes:

Virtual connection and training: Online mental health education and QPR trainings mean someone in rural Wisconsin can access life-saving skills without traveling. Geography no longer limits impact.

This “technology as the bridge” mentality — not technology as the goal — is why their digital offerings actually stick.

The Leadership Lesson Levi Stein Learned the Hard Way

Ask Levi about leadership now, and you won’t hear about vision statements or growth metrics first. “Early on, I thought leadership was mostly about having the right vision and working hard to make it happen. But what I’ve learned is that vision alone doesn’t move people — connection does.“

His reframe: “When you invest time to really listen, build trust, and show people you care about them as people — not just as part of a mission — that’s when things start to change.”

That’s not soft leadership. That’s strategic. Trust drives execution, retention, and impact. Curious how your organization’s trust measures up? Take the free Liftoff Trust Index scan.

Why Collaboration and Trust Are the Foundation of Nonprofit Work

“Collaboration and trust are at the heart of everything we do — because our entire mission depends on building real human connections.”

For Levi, this isn’t a marketing slogan. It’s operational: His team knows they can’t serve families, volunteers, or the community well if they don’t trust each other first. Internal trust becomes external impact, and that is the real engine behind building inclusive communities. When your team trusts each other, families feel it. Volunteers feel it. The entire community experiences the difference.

The Wish You Knew Podcast: Honest Conversations Teens Actually Want

One offering Levi wishes more people knew about is the Wish You Knew podcast — created by teens, for teens. It’s a space where young people share real, honest conversations about mental health, friendship, and the struggles they wish adults really understood.

This aligns perfectly with what Jeanniey Walden describes in The Trust Threshold. This is the AIR Method(TM) in action: Authenticity (real conversations, not sanitized content), Inspiration (young people leading), and Relatability (topics that actually matter to teens). Find it at fcwi.org/podcast.

Levi Stein’s Advice for Leaders, Nonprofits, and Community Builders

When asked what he’d tell leaders building from scratch, Levi’s answer is disarmingly simple: “Focus on building real relationships before you focus on growing numbers.”

Whether you’re running a nonprofit, a cafe, or a big company — people want to feel seen, heard, and valued. “If you invest in trust first — with your team, your customers, your partners — growth comes naturally.”

It’s the opposite of conventional growth hacking. And it works. For anyone serious about building inclusive communities, trust is the starting point.

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About Levi Stein and Friendship Circle Wisconsin

Levi Stein is the leader of Friendship Circle Wisconsin, a nonprofit dedicated to building inclusive communities and creating experiences for people with disabilities, their families, and teen volunteers. Based in Milwaukee, Friendship Circle Wisconsin reaches hundreds of families annually through programming, mental health initiatives, and volunteer leadership opportunities.

Connect with Friendship Circle Wisconsin:

• Website: fcwi.org
• Podcast: fcwi.org/podcast
• Instagram: @friendshipcirclewi

Heard Levi’s story on Liftoff with Jeanniey Walden? The show airs on Tubi, YouTube, CanyonStar TV, Binge Networks, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Prime Video — reaching 80 million plus households monthly.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Building Inclusive Communities

What is Friendship Circle Wisconsin?

Friendship Circle Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building inclusive communities for individuals with disabilities, their families, and teen volunteers. Based in Milwaukee, they create programming that fosters genuine connection and reduces isolation.

How does Friendship Circle Wisconsin support people with disabilities?

Through inclusive programming, volunteer-led friendships, family support networks, and community events that bring together people of all abilities. Their model pairs teens and young adults with individuals with disabilities to create mutual growth and belonging.

What is the We Can Save Lives Tour?

The We Can Save Lives Tour is a suicide prevention initiative by Friendship Circle Wisconsin offering free safeTALK trainings across the state. Launched in memory of Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, it has trained hundreds of people to recognize and respond to signs of suicide.

How can I get involved with building inclusive communities in my area?

Visit fcwi.org to learn about volunteer opportunities, listen to the Wish You Knew podcast at fcwi.org/podcast, or explore how your organization can partner with Friendship Circle Wisconsin to create inclusive initiatives.

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