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What We Do

Enrich the community by creating opportunities for every person, with or without developmental or intellectual disabilities, by building enduring lifelong friendships. We strongly believe that this enhances the lives of everyone involved:  members, families and volunteers!

Empower participants to strengthen important life skills and create greater social independence while enhancing community connections.

Embrace the power of love and friendship in everyday life. We are about expanding horizons through activities and events that appeal to children, teens, and young adults through art, music, community service, and much more. We are not a “day program” or a “training service”, but we are an opportunity to have fun, rewarding and new experiences in an environment that embraces innovation, independence, and the freedom to “just be yourself”.

Funding for Valley Friendship Club has been provided by the CCP Foundation of Stillwater.

For more information on CCP please visit www.ccpfoundation.org

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Sign Up

Membership

To become a member of Valley Friendship Club, you can fill out the online form or download it and bring it to the event. It costs nothing to become a member, it just means that you are interested being a part of the fun and that you want to be notified of upcoming events.

Ages and Groups

Valley Friendship Club is for everyone.

The “Grader Gang” events listed on the calendar are for kids K-6th Grade.

The “TeenUp” are events for teens on up to young adult.

The “DayTimers” are events during the week/during daytime hours. Programming specific to young adults who are out of the school system.

“All Member” events are for all Valley Friendship Members, Family and Friends!

Note:  We will leave it up to Mom & Dad if you think your 5th or 6th Grader would rather be
in the Teen Group or Grader Group or both…your call.

Safety Policy

Valley Friendship Club is committed to providing an environment that is safe, welcoming, respectful, caring and fun for all members, participants & volunteers.    Download the Safety Policy

Weather Policy

If Stillwater School District has closed schools our events will also be canceled. ALSO if the National Weather Service or/and MNDot has issued a Weather Warning/Travel Advisory we will cancel the event. We want everyone to have fun and stay safe!

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Volunteer

Many of our volunteers are parents of the kids we serve.

Do you like to dance, cook, yoga, watch football, or play video games? Perhaps you love art or music? While volunteering for Valley Friendship Club (VFC) you can put your passions to work while helping with event planning, fundraising, and more.

Learn more by visiting our Volunteers page.

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Rave Reviews

  • Valley Friendship Club is an awesome place where children with disabilities can socialize with each other and their typical siblings side by side. It is an inclusive environment and a much needed one. Kids with special needs are no different than typical kids. They want to have FRIENDS! VFC sets up an environment where that can happen. They provide varied and well organized activities where it does happen. VFC deserve the support so that they can carry on and expand their mission to reach more people in the community. There is nothing else like it in the east metro.


    Anonymous

  • Three years of FUN, thanks Valley Friendship Club.  Now looking forward to the summer and the Theater Residency with Upstream Arts.  Way to go getting the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council Grant to make it all happen. Thanks to VFC, Upstream and MRAC!


    Anonymous

  • I cannot say enough about how the Valley Friendship Club of Stillwater, MN has made such a difference in our community and in the lives of those children, teens and young adults with disabilites. They are a well run organization with amazing resources. They allow our children to have an enviorment that is supportive and fosters life long friendships. This club is truly an inspiration to all!


    Bruce Binder

  • Valley Friendship Club has proven to be an outstanding program for my son. They provide a safe, social setting for children and young adults with disabilities who are in need of a social outlet. The variety of events at VFC, provide my son with an opportunity to explore, learn, and be creative with kids that share his interests. The staff is very welcoming and is sensitive to the varying needs of its members. My son has gained friends and, in turn, has gained much needed confidence. It has provided him with a sense of belonging which is so important to any child’s development. I am very thankful to have this program available to us. Thank you VFC!


    David Smisek & Robin Beadleson

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Resources

Community Support Groups and Links:

If you have additional information to post please let VFC know, we would love to add to this page for all to benefit!

www.connectwc.org  It’s a one-stop website for any and all information regarding intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Washington County Area-a place for parents, caregivers, and others that support individuals with disabilities to learn, connect and share.

Support Groups in our Community:

General Disability Support Group

Parent Networking Group the 3rd Thursday of the Month,6:00-8:00pm Sept.-June
at Lake Elmo Elementary, 11030 Stillwater Blvd., Lake Elmo Co-Sponsored by Arc Greater Twin Cities and Stillwater School District.  Child Care provided but must contact Meara parent Facilitator, at stillwatermearawhite@gmail.com

Autism Support Groups:

Parents of Children with Autism meeting Second Tuesday, 7 – 8:30 pm
Family Achievement Center
8320 City Centre Dr., Suite G, Woodbury

Down Syndrome Support Groups:

Down Syndrome Group Stillwater meeting 2nd Monday, 7 -8:30pm
Early Childhood Family Center 1111 Holcombe St. So, Stillwater
Childcare Provided
Contact: Angela Mann, email:  a.m.m.8834@gmail.com

Stillwater Area Parent Association

Stillwater Area Parent Association for Special Education (PASE) is a parent volunteer group committed to educating parents/caregivers of children with special education needs.  This group is open to all those with interest, however, it is meant to put a local spin on educating parents in advocating for their children. Topics of PASE sponsored events may include special education, IDEA, learning topics and other avenues to help parents and children.  Follow this link for more info: http://stillwaterareaspecialed.ch2v.com/

Helpful Links:

www.stillwater.k12.mn.us

www.arcgreatertwincities.com

www.pacer.org

www.couragecenter.org

www.specialolympics.org

www.connectwc.org

Other Events/Activities around town:

Adaptive Dance, For Dancers with Special Needs ages 5-21.  Delmonico Dance, 670 Commerce Drive, Suite 120, Woodbury. Call for dates/times & cost. Phone 651.493.7897

Rainbow Tree Therapies is therapeutic enrichment for kids ages 3 to 12. Rainbow Tree Therapies was developed by Occupational Therapist, Lisa Haverly. For more information: https://rainbowtreetherapies.wordpress.com

Singing-heart LLC, Katie Corbett MT-BC, MAMT, NICU-MT offers Music Therapy, Wellness, Creative Arts. 651.373.4336. See website for complete calendar of activities.  http://singing-heart.org or  Katie@singing-heart.org

YMCA, Woodbury, Second Sunday of the month is “SNLive” (Special Needs Night) for children & adults with disabilities. Games, karaoke, snacks, crafts, use of the gym and more! The event is open to all, and is $5/person. 6:00-7:30pm. More info: katie.hawke@ymcatwincities.org

YMCA, Woodbury, Third Friday of the Month, Youth Night (ages 8-12) themed activities, play ping pong, billiard tables, use the teen center, and play games in the gym, & hang out with their friends! $5/person 6:00-9:00pm. More info: katie.hawke@ymcatwincities.org

Social Skills Groups for middle school and high school age youth at East Metro Family Counseling (EMFC). 710 Commerce Drive., Woodbury.  Call for dates/times & cost 651-408-5132

 

 

 

 
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