where everyone is someone

A unique place where adults with special needs can come together

• We offer 3-hour interactive online sessions where friendships can flourish
• We provide a safe environment to learn and to engage in structured activities
• We encourage and solicit participation at all levels of social interaction

A 3-hour session includes: current news, local events, book club, exercise, American Sign Language, opportunities to socialize and more. Click here to see the current schedule of activities.

We understand that meeting new people in a social setting can be a challenge in the special needs community. There can be complicating factors with everyday tasks involving:

  • Transportation to and from an event,
  • Understanding social norms and expectations,
  • Effectively communicating with others in the group,
  • Ensuring the  meeting environment is safe and trustworthy,
  • Scheduling a convenient time for everyone to meet, and
  • Cost

These issues influence any attempt by caregivers to find ways for their loved ones to socialize. Families and caregivers do what they can, but oftentimes those efforts are compromised because of work schedules, finances or other family demands.

At Friends Shine Online our mission is to bring adults with special needs together to meet, interact, and develop personal connections, all from the familiar surroundings of their home. In this small way we hope to open doors that would otherwise remain closed and harness a ray of sunshine that will brighten everyone’s’ day.

“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

Jennifer Dukes Lee