.png){kind=logo}
Every Person Deserves a Friend
For many teens, young adults, and adults on the autism spectrum, friendship can feel painfully out of reach, especially for those with high-functioning autism (ASD Level 1).
While many deeply desire connection, social interaction often comes with challenges that make building relationships difficult. Some individuals may appear quiet or prefer solitude, not because they do not want friendships, but because skills such as initiating conversation, maintaining eye contact, or navigating social cues can feel overwhelming or unfamiliar. Over time, repeated feelings of rejection, misunderstanding, or isolation or worse...bullying, can lead many to withdraw socially, despite wanting meaningful connection and belonging.
While most people naturally build relationships through school, sports, clubs, or social gatherings, individuals with autism often face barriers that make meaningful connection difficult. Challenges with social cues, bullying, anxiety, rejection, and isolation can leave many feeling unseen and alone.
The consequences are serious. Social isolation among youth with ASD is linked to increased anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Families frequently struggle to find safe, welcoming environments where their loved ones can simply belong without the need of a parent or guardian.
That is why Erin’s Hope for Friends exists.
Founded in loving memory of Erin Horst, a gifted and compassionate teenager on the autism spectrum, Erin’s Hope for Friends was created to ensure that no one with ASD1 has to navigate life alone.
Today, the organization provides safe, accepting social environments where friendships flourish, confidence grows, and lives are transformed one friend at a time.
Every Person Deserves a Friend
Erin’s Hope for Friends is on a mission to create lasting relationships through joyful interactions for teens, young adults, and adults with ASD1. Through its signature e’s Club programming, the organization creates inclusive social spaces where members experience:
At e’s Club, individuals are not pressured to “fit in” nor are provided a companion. They are welcomed exactly as they are and supported to find their own people on their own timeline and comfort level.
Our vison is for all ASD1 individuals have a friend and be included. To stop negative thoughts and feel accepted and seen.
Genuine friendship
Social confidence
Emotional support
Community belonging
Freedom from bullying and judgment
The Growing Need
Because everyone deserves a place where they belong.
Autism diagnoses have risen dramatically, increasing from approximately 1 in 150 children in 2000 to 1 in 34 today. At the same time, individuals with high-functioning autism remain among the most socially isolated populations.
Research and community experiences consistently reveal that:
-
Individuals with ASD frequently struggle to make and maintain friendships.
-
Bullying rates are significantly higher among neurodivergent youth.
-
Social isolation contributes to anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
-
Many support systems end after childhood, leaving teens and adults without meaningful social opportunities.
Families often describe the heartbreak of watching their loved one sit alone, excluded from peer groups, birthday parties, school activities, and community life.
Online communities across the country echo the same reality: adults and teens with ASD are actively searching for safe places to connect, belong, and form genuine friendships.
Friendship is not a luxury. It is foundational to emotional wellness, confidence, independence, and hope.
“One friend changed
his life.”
Addressing the Problem
Erin’s Hope for Friends e’s Club addresses the social isolation, anxiety, and lack of belonging often experienced by teens, young adults, and adults with autism by creating a consistent, welcoming community built around connection, acceptance, and shared experiences.
Through the “membership” model, individuals become part of an inclusive community where friendships are intentionally nurtured in a safe and supportive environment.
The e’s Club space is a critical part of that success. It provides members with a familiar, calming place where they feel comfortable, accepted, and emotionally at ease. The consistency of the environment and routines helps reduce anxiety and creates a sense of stability and belonging.
Each event is tailored to a specific age group—teens, young adults, or adults—recognizing that individuals on the autism spectrum experience developmental growth and evolving interests just like their neurotypical peers.
Programming is designed to reflect age-appropriate social experiences so participants can fully engage in the meaningful moments of life and friendship that others often take for granted. For example, teens may enjoy LEGO activities and board games, while adults gravitate toward karaoke, trivia nights, and social gatherings.
Other popular events include Palentine’s celebrations, Halloween and holiday parties, tailgating and football watch parties, Oscar viewing events, movie nights, Laugh Lounge, and more. Some events, such as holiday celebrations and select outings, bring multiple age groups together to foster broader community connection and inclusion.
The programs are designed to help members connect naturally through shared interests and interactive experiences. Programs such as Furry Friends Weekend use animal-assisted activities to encourage social engagement and emotional connection. Members interact with animals including bunnies, dogs, and even horses, creating joyful moments that spark conversation and friendship.
Other activities centered around hobbies and interests — including robotics, cooking, animation, gaming, and creative projects — help members build confidence while connecting with peers who share similar passions. These interest-based interactions make socializing feel more natural and less intimidating.
Meet-ups in new places or community outings can often feel overwhelming for individuals with autism, but Erin’s Hope for Friends transforms those experiences into positive adventures. By attending outings with trusted friends and trained staff, members gain confidence navigating the community while feeling supported and understood.
During the pandemic, the organization quickly adapted by launching virtual programming, ensuring members maintained critical social connections during a time of widespread isolation and uncertainty. Virtual programming featured mid week brings a mid-week connection where jokes, stories and games are played.
What Makes Our Approach Effective and Unique?
We do more than offer programs — we create belonging.
Our membership model fosters long-term relationships and a true sense of community rather than one-time participation. Members are not simply attendees; they are part of a supportive social network where they are known, valued, and included.
Many traditional programs focus only on therapy or skills training. Erin’s Hope for Friends focuses on repetitive affordable attendance that build meaningful friendships, confidence, independence, and quality of life. Members are able to practice social interaction in authentic, enjoyable settings where connection happens naturally.
The result is a community where individuals who often feel excluded finally experience acceptance, friendship, and the freedom to be themselves.
“Her smile says it all.”
The Impact of Friendship
Since opening its doors, e’s Club has impacted more than 1,500 individuals and their families. Each weekend, between 50 and 100 recurring members attend programming at just one e’s Club location, demonstrating the deep need for consistent social connection and community. Many members travel up to an hour each weekend to spend time with their friends.
As members walk through the doors and make eye contact with a friend, their faces light up with smiles. Many express their excitement with bursts of happiness and energy. Parents and guardians often feel a sense of relief and comfort as they witness their loved one connecting with peers and building meaningful friendships. Families frequently share that their loved one counts down the days and eagerly announces when it is “e’s Club night.”
Friendships formed through e’s Club often extend beyond programming hours. Friends and their families connect outside of the club, sometimes enjoying dinner together before events. Many members independently drive themselves and enjoy socializing before or after club activities, fostering confidence, independence, and a true sense of belonging. And many have become families that socialize together at home and on vacations.
Today, Erin’s Hope for Friends continues to expand its reach through both in-person and virtual programming, with locations in Georgia and Kentucky.
Yet, despite this growth, the need continues to exceed available resources.
Why now? Why urgency?
Erin’s Hope for Friends is more than 90% donor-funded, making community support essential to sustaining and growing e’s Club programming. While the organization continues exploring ways to generate sustainable income through use of its facility, the peak hours of the space are intentionally dedicated to e’s Club programs and events that directly serve members and families.
Affordability remains a core part of the mission. Members pay only $25 to attend an event, while the actual cost to provide a safe, engaging, and fully supported experience is approximately $65 to $150 per event based on event-type and attendane. The difference is made possible through the generosity of donors who believe every individual deserves access to friendship, belonging, and meaningful social connection—regardless of financial circumstance.
As the need for social connection and autism support services continues to rise, so does the demand for e’s Club programming. Families are actively searching for safe, welcoming environments where their loved ones can build authentic friendships and experience community. However, limited financial resources often make it difficult for the organization to invest in the marketing and outreach needed to reach prospective members and families who could benefit from these life-changing programs.
Donor support not only helps sustain affordable programming, but also expands awareness, outreach, and access so that more individuals and families can discover the support, friendship, and belonging they have been searching for. Every contribution helps ensure that no individual is left isolated simply because they did not know a community like e’s Club existed.
As Erin’s Hope for Friends builds greater long-term financial stability, the organization will be positioned to expand into additional communities and open more e’s Club locations. Expanding the number of clubs will make programming more accessible for individuals and families who currently travel long distances each weekend to participate. Increased accessibility means more individuals with autism can experience the friendships, independence, confidence, and sense of belonging that e’s Club provides.
Erin’s Hope for Friends envisions a future where every teen, young adult and adult with high-functioning autism (ASD1) has access to meaningful friendships and a supportive social community.
The organization’s long-term vision is to expand e’s Club into other metro areas using Atlanta as a central hub with satellite locations nationwide.
With sustainable funding and community partnerships, Erin’s Hope for Friends can:
-
Expand programming capacity
-
Open additional e’s Club locations
-
Increase volunteer engagement
-
Develop leadership opportunities for members
-
Build broader community awareness and acceptance
-
Create lasting social infrastructure for neurodiverse ASD1 individuals
e’s Clubs will be similarly structured and set up as an affiliate or a chapter. The current CRM system is collecting data to assist with building virtual attendance which identifies the areas where an on-site e’s Club can open with greater attendence and awareness.
Vision for the Furture
Join by giving friendship!
When you support Erin’s Hope for Friends, you are doing more than funding a program.
Together, we can ensure every individual knows the joy of friendship.
Because everyone deserves a place where they belong.
Creates belonging
Prevents isolation
Builds confidence
Supports families
Saves lives through connection
Your gift
“I wish you had come yesterday. There truly is something for everyone. I love waiting to pick up my daughter and her friends and seeing the excitement on their faces as they share stories from their night together with huge smiles.”
- parent