Support, Networking, and Meet Up Groups
Whether a sibling, a parent, a family member, or a friend, you can gather with others who understand the unique challenges of having a loved one with a disability.
Families and Caregivers of All Ages
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Parent Group
Date and Time: Second Thursday of every month
Ages: Parents/Caregivers of children of all ages
This is a resource sharing and support group for parents of children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices. Please join us on Zoom to network with other parents whose children use AAC devices. This meeting will be a time for parents to offer encouragement and resource ideas for promoting the use of AAC at home. For more information, contact Lee Anna Sanders at 314-817-2269.
Dads’ Group
Date and Time: Returning Spring 2023
Ages: Fathers of children of all ages
For dads who understand the unique challenges of having a family member with a disability. For more information, please contact Mark Keeley, President and CEO, at 314-817-2280.
Parent Café’s
Date and Time: Varies
Ages: Parents/Caregivers of children of all ages
Parent Cafe’s are parent-led, guided conversations about topics that are relevant to your family and your life. Learn from others’ experiences while they learn from yours. Join us on Zoom to relax, de-stress, connect, share, and learn all from the safety of your own home. For more information please contact Julia Schaffner at 314-817-2273.
Families and Caregivers
of Children, Teens, and Young Adults
Families of Kids 7 and Under
Date and Time: Second Monday of every month, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ages: Parents/Caregivers of children who are 7 years old or younger
Caregivers of children with a disability or delay ages 0 – 7 years old have an opportunity to connect with other parents/caregivers to share resource ideas and support. For more information, contact Lee Anna Sanders at 314-817-2269.
JOYZEN Parent Powerhouse Workshops
Date and Time: Varies
Ages: Parents/Caregivers of children ages 13-30
Parenting strategies and mindsets need to adapt if you want your child to be able to maximize their capacity for independence. JOYZEN uses experiential learning, easily adaptable skills, and emotional intelligence to create community and a collaborative environment between parents, young adults, and support staff. This workshop is designed for families with children with I/DD ages 13-30 but is open to anyone caring for a person with IDD. For more information or to RSVP, contact Sharon Spurlock at 314-817-2222.
JOYZEN Tune Up Group
Date and Time: Varies
Ages: Parents/Caregivers of children ages 13-30
This group is reserved for any family member who has completed a Joyzen Intensive class. Joyzen graduates will work with our expert, Liz Fuchs and members of the St. Louis Arc Family Support team to share parenting successes and struggles, and apply Joyzen techniques as we problem solve together. For the next meetup dates and to RSVP, join our Meetup group. For more information or to RSVP, contact Sharon Spurlock, at 314-817-2222.
Launch Family Support Group
Date and Time: Every Third Tuesday, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Ages: Parents/Caregivers of young adults 16-26; young adults encouraged to attend as well
Launch Family Support Group is a group for parents, caregivers, and young adults, to learn together using the LifeCourse Tools to plan for the future. Families will use the LifeCourse framework and principles to plan for transition, taking away tools, resources, and information about relevant programs. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Cait Carr at 314-817-2215.
Families and Caregivers of Adults
Supporters of Older Adults with Disabilities
Date and Time: Third Friday of every month, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ages: Parents/Caregivers of adult children ages 27 and older
Are you the primary parent or supporter for someone who is aging? Do you feel an urgency to plan for the future for your family member with IDD as you get older? If so, this is the group for you! Please join us for coffee and conversation around ensuring a good life for our family members after we’re gone. For more information or to RSVP, contact Ann Mangelsdorf at 314-817-2275.
Innovative Housing Solutions
Date and Time: Varies
Ages: Individuals ages 18 and older
If your family member with IDD is looking for an alternative to 24/7 housing support, join this group to meet other families who are considering how to leverage technology, community and personal resources to forge a new path. This group is about possibilities and not connected to any existing Arc residential supports or services. For more information or to RSVP, contact Sharon Spurlock, at 314-817-2222.
Planning Forward Learning Series
Date and Time: VariesAges: Parents/Caregivers of adult children ages 27 and older
Planning Forward is an eight-week series that breaks down all of the issues families need to consider as they are aging – where will my family member live when I can no longer care for them, have I made the necessary legal and financial plans, are there conversations that I need to have with other people who care about them? Join other families to learn about a variety of topics across six life domains and to share the common experience of planning for an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability. For more information or to RSVP, contact Ann Mangelsdorf at 314-817-2275.
For Children or Adults with Disabilities
Counseling
Date and Time: Varies
Ages: All ages
Providing individual and group counseling to teenagers, adults, and their families. For more information, contact Lee Anna Sanders at 314-817-2269.
St. Louis Self-Advocates
Date and Time: Every Thursday, 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Ages: Individuals ages 18 and up
The St. Louis Self-Advocates are St. Louis area adults seeking to empower each other, to increase awareness about disability-related issues, and improve their community. Our members are St. Louis area residents ages 18 and up, who have a diagnosed disability. The group’s committees reflect the goals and vision of the group:
- Advocacy: to improve the lives of people with disabilities through thoughtful political engagement
- Quality: to improve the services provided to people with disabilities through participation in agency leadership, staff training, and more
- Morale: to create a sense of community and friendship among membership
- Marketing: to increase awareness and bring attention to the group’s activities
For more information or to RSVP, contact Cait Carr at 314-817-2215 or Hannah Satterwhite at 314-817-2249.
Women’s Group
Date and Time: Second Tuesday of the month, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Ages: Women ages 18 and older; with or without disabilities
Spend some time with women who empower other women – let’s connect with one another and have conversation. All women, with and without disabilities, are invited. Vulnerability is valued, welcomed, and practiced in the group. Bring your own beverages, light food will be provided. Please inform us of any dietary preferences or restrictions at least two days in advance. For more information or to RSVP, please call or email Emma Burroughs at 314–566–1158.
For Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities
Adult Sibling-Centered Good Life Group
Date and Time: Third Tuesday of every month, 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ages: Siblings of all ages
This is the Missouri Family to Family Good Life Group for siblings of people with special healthcare needs or developmental disabilities. Good Life Groups are open house style sessions are hosted by certified Charting the LifeCourse Navigators and are dedicated to answering member questions. This session is an open place to share resources, and experiences, and ask questions of fellow adults with siblings who have developmental disabilities. Bring your lunch and come connect with families just like yours! This event is free but registration is required. Register online.
Sibshops
Date and Time: Second Wednesday of every month, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Ages: Siblings ages 7 – 15
Sibshops offer an opportunity for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities to get peer support and education within a recreational context. This free series includes a fun mix of information, games, activities, and discussion. Children between the ages of 7-15 years old who have a sibling with a disability are encouraged to participate. For more information, contact Lee Anna Sanders at 314-817-2269.
Unless otherwise noted, all groups meet via Zoom and are free to attend. Advance registration is required.
View the 2023 Spring Summer Leisure Times or download a PDF version for a complete schedule of activities or visit the online registration page.