Social Community for Neurodiverse Young Adults in Twin Cities, MN
Fitting in and making friends can be a real challenge when you’re different. At Bridging Hearts, it’s our mission to help neurodiverse young adults in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area to connect, socialize, and form lasting friendships. If you’re on the autism spectrum, have a learning disability or cognitive delay, or are otherwise neurodivergent, our program can be a great way for you to make friends in a supportive environment where you feel valued and accepted.
Community & Social Activities for Neurodiverse Young Adults
Bridging Hearts may be a perfect fit for neurodiverse young adults in the Twin Cities who are looking for a way to participate in social events where they are able to be themselves without feeling left out or judged. If you become a member with us, you’ll be able to improve your social skills and your independence while taking part in fun social activities.
When you join Bridging Hearts, you’ll have access to a safe and secure, members-only website where you can communicate with neurodiverse peers in your age group, allowing you to foster meaningful connections. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of social events including hiking, bowling, theater visits, and more.
A Safe Place to Form Lifelong Friendships
If you’re a neurodiverse adult living in Minneapolis, St. Paul or the surrounding metro area, joining Bridging Hearts could be greatly beneficial to your social life. Contact us today if you’d like to learn more about our program in the greater Twin Cities area!
Carol Perrault
As Director of Bridging Hearts, I would like to welcome you to our website. We have a lot to offer, so dig in and let’s help you decide if Bridging Hearts is the right fit for you.
In 2016, our son Matt had been out of school for several years and found success through a variety of employment opportunities. We were working hard to set him up with a meaningful job with a future. However, something was missing for Matt. His friendships seemed fleeting and were not substantive. When a friend suggested we explore Bridging Hearts, we were all-in almost immediately.
As I volunteered more and more, I soon discovered that helping others form friendships was rather easy. Bridging Hearts is a support system, but it’s our members who put in the work needed to make and keep friends. They are the foundation of what we do.
I see a bright future for Bridging Hearts. It seems like our circle of friends is expanding every day. We believe everyone deserves to have meaningful friendships. We’ll continue to help our members feel a sense of belonging and hope for a future which includes friends and social experiences.
Teresa Johnson
In 2016, our daughter Mariah graduated from high school and looked forward to a decent job, a future full of creative aspirations and time spent hanging out with friends. However, her friendship circle remained small. Though she had a lot to offer, very few local opportunities were available to meet other young adults in her peer group. She deserved a chance.
After two years of fruitless searching, we decided to start an organization where people in Mariah’s peer group could meet on a regular basis to share fun activities and form safe online social connections.
On August 3, 2019, the Duluth News Tribune was willing to share our vision. We hoped this would attract other individuals in similar situations. It was at this time that Denise Martin, the founder of Bridging Hearts, was guided to our story. She was just like us 15 years earlier! We soon discovered that our visions were so similar and decided to continue meeting.
Over time, we were officially asked to become the first chapter of Bridging Hearts. It was a heart bridging moment and we gladly accepted. We’re excited to see what the future holds for many young adults in Duluth, MN who have a lot to offer a friend. They just need a chance.
Bridging Hearts is a nonprofit organization with a board composed of community members. Our board members are all volunteers and represent parents of members, as well as community members who have dedicated and volunteered time to ensure our mission is honored.