Michigan Lt. Gov Brian Calley toured the West Bloomfield headquarters of the Friendship Circle, home of the founding chapter of an international network of Chabad-Lubavitch programs that pair teenage volunteers with children with special needs.

The Jan. 13 walk-through with directors Rabbi Levi and Bassie Shemtov came after Calley, whose daughter has autism, had a conversation about the condition with former U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg. Knollenberg, who had become familiar with the Friendship Circle during his eight terms in office, told Calley about the organization and encouraged him to check it out.

Staff assistant Lauren Todaro wrote on the Friendship Circle’s blog that the newly-installed lieutenant governor was impressed with the organization’s outreach to more than 3,000 area families with special needs.

The blog post links to a video of Calley speaking about autism.