Our Impact

Highland Friendship Club is a Chance to Belong

Photo by Eliesa Johnson
Photo by David Kurtovich

Highland Friendship Club offers teens, age 13 and up, and adults with disabilities opportunities to fully engage in their community and connect with others in ways that are meaningful and aligned with their personal choices and desires. HFC members make friends, learn new skills and become healthier, happier individuals. They form bonds with each other and create communities of support.

250+

Members

30+

Outings per Week

2002

Organization Founded

Real Voices, Real Connections

I look forward to the HFC monthly dance parties because we get to pick out songs and party!

Josie Hernandez, HFC member
HFC has helped me to express myself both physically and emotionally. It gives me the opportunity to join in social activities and make new friends. Movie making has been one of my favorite activities because it's helped me grow as a person and become more confident.

Steph, HFC member
It saved us. It really saved us. My son had lost his smile, and HFC brought it back.

Katy Thuleen, HFC parent
HFC doesn’t just give you a calendar, they give you stuff to put ON it!

Tanya Hagen, HFC member
The best part of HFC is seeing all the members, seeing them happy, seeing them grow, seeing them be the best version of themselves.

Mason Ellingboe, HFC staff
I encourage everyone to attend one of HFC’s events; they will feel how special Highland Friendship Club is and how much this means—not just to the members, but to the families and community as a whole.

Joe Mauer, HFC supporter
I find our members to be warm, engaged and full of love. There is a lot of joy in them. It makes me feel good to be around them. And the staff are all top notch. They are warm, compassionate and welcoming.

Jerry Helfand, HFC volunteer
I like Highland Friendship Club because it's fun, and you can make a lot of friends. Friday Night Fun is great because we get to go different places like out to eat or doing crafts. I tried new things like cooking and music classes too. I was in the first movie they made.

Tricia, HFC member
My favorite part about HFC is the friends that I've made, the staff, and the volunteers who help out.

Emily Colaizy, HFC member
I love HFC because I get to be with my friends and go on adventures! I also love music and drumming class. I feel lucky that my two brothers can take me and be with me for all the fun!

Sam, HFC member
HFC has been a great experience for David, especially to be able to continue seeing his friends via Zoom during Covid and while recovering from his surgeries.

Paul Bender, HFC parent
HFC has given me new confidence, and I really have made new friends that I’ve had for years and years. At HFC I am loved and I feel like I’m the best person in the world!

Joel, HFC member
I like HFC because they have a lot of other members with disabilities and the staff are really nice. They're so funny.

Hanna Bolstrom, HFC member
I have been in HFC since I was a teenager. I was one of the youngest members. In the beginning there weren't as many members as we have now. I am glad that we keep new members! What I like best about HFC are the instructors. They always make me feel welcomed. They help me when I need help and encourage me when I think I can't do something. They make each class fun by having us try new things!

Michelle, HFC member
HFC has enhanced Tricia's life tremendously from teen years through transitioning to young adulthood. HFC has given us both a sense of belonging and helped Tricia with skills for living! Recently, Tricia was involved with a personal safety class. HFC addresses needs that parents often look for support with for their young adults. It's been wonderful.

Anne, HFC parent
When I was little, my mom worried about my future, and if I would have friends and a social life... I could be busy all day, every day... HFC means I didn't spend my summer, or weekends isolated. It means getting out in the community, acceptance, trying and learning new things. It means having a social calendar that would be exhausting to most. Most of all, HFC means lifelong friendships!

Angela, HFC member
Highland Friendship Club gives value to Andrew’s life; it gives him purpose and meaning.

Rita Corrigan, HFC member mom
I've been a member of the Highland Friendship Club since 2004. Through HFC I've done things I couldn't have anywhere else like circus arts, movie making, cooking classes and beat boxing plus swimming, singing, bowling, parties, dances and retreats. And that's not counting many activities I haven't even tried yet!

Charlie, HFC member
HFC you’re the best, you rock! HFC has helped me focus on some of my hobbies... I have met some cool people and great leaders. Some of my favorite programs are Glee Club, Tennis, Friday Night Fun, and cooking class. I love the field trips like the ball games too! And thank you HFC for all the fun times... it means the world to me!

Kayla, HFC member
I love the activities and the people at HFC. Because of it, I had the chance to make friends like Jake. My favorite activity is cooking.

Maria, HFC member
Highland Friendship Club is a lifeline to hundreds of young adults with disabilities. When I think of the daily experiences our members are provided, I realize how fortunate they are to experience enriching opportunities where they can grow and develop new and rewarding skills. Their days are spent with a community of people in an environment filled with joy, acceptance and mutual respect.

Renee, HFC parent
HFC believes there are plenty of things in the world to discover. Mike can get out front and face things head on and gosh there is plenty for him to see, thanks to HFC!

Tony, HFC sibling
My favorite thing to do with HFC is going to the fire station with friends.

John, HFC member

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The Right Thing To Do

In this children’s book, Joe Schmit writes about Joe Mauer and the importance about kindness and inclusion. Part of the proceeds of book sales benefit HFC!

Learn More & Order Here

Highland Friendship Club is a Chance to Belong

Photo by Eliesa Johnson

Photo by David Kurtovich

250+

Members

30+

Outings per Week

2002

Organization Founded

I look forward to the HFC monthly dance parties because we get to pick out songs and party!

HFC has helped me to express myself both physically and emotionally. It gives me the opportunity to join in social activities and make new friends. Movie making has been one of my favorite activities because it's helped me grow as a person and become more confident.

It saved us. It really saved us. My son had lost his smile, and HFC brought it back.

HFC doesn’t just give you a calendar, they give you stuff to put ON it!

The best part of HFC is seeing all the members, seeing them happy, seeing them grow, seeing them be the best version of themselves.

I encourage everyone to attend one of HFC’s events; they will feel how special Highland Friendship Club is and how much this means—not just to the members, but to the families and community as a whole.

I find our members to be warm, engaged and full of love. There is a lot of joy in them. It makes me feel good to be around them. And the staff are all top notch. They are warm, compassionate and welcoming.

I like Highland Friendship Club because it's fun, and you can make a lot of friends. Friday Night Fun is great because we get to go different places like out to eat or doing crafts. I tried new things like cooking and music classes too. I was in the first movie they made.

My favorite part about HFC is the friends that I've made, the staff, and the volunteers who help out.

I love HFC because I get to be with my friends and go on adventures! I also love music and drumming class. I feel lucky that my two brothers can take me and be with me for all the fun!

HFC has been a great experience for David, especially to be able to continue seeing his friends via Zoom during Covid and while recovering from his surgeries.

HFC has given me new confidence, and I really have made new friends that I’ve had for years and years. At HFC I am loved and I feel like I’m the best person in the world!

I like HFC because they have a lot of other members with disabilities and the staff are really nice. They're so funny.

Highland Friendship Club gives value to Andrew’s life; it gives him purpose and meaning.

I love the activities and the people at HFC. Because of it, I had the chance to make friends like Jake. My favorite activity is cooking.

HFC believes there are plenty of things in the world to discover. Mike can get out front and face things head on and gosh there is plenty for him to see, thanks to HFC!

My favorite thing to do with HFC is going to the fire station with friends.

Be the Reason a Smile Happens Today

The Right Thing To Do

In this children’s book, Joe Schmit writes about Joe Mauer and the importance about kindness and inclusion. Part of the proceeds of book sales benefit HFC!

Highland Friendship Club