Highland Friendship Club was founded in 2002 by two St. Paul moms who were disappointed by the lack of social opportunities available for their teenage sons who have developmental disabilities.

Our History

Mike & Pat Leseman and John & Rosemary Fagrelius

With no money other than pocket change, the parents looked to the surrounding community for resources and interesting activities that would appeal to their sons and a few of their friends. In the blink of an eye, the teens formed friendships; began looking forward to their time together; and wanted to share it with others. Word spread to other parents in search of programs to enrich their child’s life. Membership and programming expanded.

Today HFC offers over 30 classes, events, outings each week to roughly 200 members!  

200+

Members

30+

Outings per Week

2002

Organization Founded

HFC Timeline

Real Voices, Real Connections

  • I look forward to the HFC monthly dance parties because we get to pick out songs and party!

    Josie Hernandez, HFC member

  • The Friendship Club has helped me to express myself both physically and emotionally. It gives me the opportunity to join in social activities and make new friends. Movie making has been one of my favorite activities because it's helped me grow as a person and become more confident.

    Steph, HFC member

  • It saved us. It really saved us. My son had lost his smile, and HFC brought it back.

    Katy Thuleen, HFC parent

  • HFC has really changed my life with all the activities I do. I have made a lot of new friends. And I started participating in Special Olympics when HFC formed a team to join. I play flag football, basketball, bocce ball and golf! I like all the HFC activities I do, but my favorites might have to be cooking, card making, and Friday Night Out.

    Emily, HFC member

  • Because I love the atmosphere at HFC, how everyone comes together, appreciates and loves one another. I love to see how, everybody, doesn’t matter who you are, grows.

    Mason Ellingboe, HFC staff

  • HFC has a lot of really fun and different things to do. Everybody knows my name and are so nice to me all the time! I always get a lot of high fives and fist bumps. They ask me what to do I think about things, listen to me, let me help, and tell me how smart I am. I can’t wait to go to all activities and ask my Grandmother every day she I get home from school, “HFC tonight?!”

    James, HFC member

  • HFC doesn’t just give you a calendar, they give you stuff to put ON it!

    Tanya Hagen, HFC member

  • I love Highland Friendship Club. I have been a member for many years, and I have friends at HFC. I get to do lots of fun things like Glee Club, Move and Groove, Karaoke and Friday Night Fun. Staff are very patient and help me participate. Highland Friendship Club is awesome!

    Kirsten, HFC member

  • The best part of HFC is seeing all the members, seeing them happy, seeing them grow, seeing them be the best version of themselves.

    Mason Ellingboe, HFC staff

  • I encourage everyone to attend one of HFC’s events; they will feel how special Highland Friendship Club is and how much this means—not just to the members, but to the families and community as a whole.

    Joe Mauer, HFC supporter

  • I find our members to be warm, engaged and full of love. There is a lot of joy in them. It makes me feel good to be around them. And the staff are all top notch.  They are warm, compassionate and welcoming.

    Jerry Helfand, HFC volunteer

  • I like Highland Friendship Club because it's fun, and you can make a lot of friends. Friday Night Fun is great because we get to go different places like out to eat or doing crafts. I tried new things like cooking and music classes too. I was in the first movie they made.

    Tricia, HFC member

  • My favorite part about HFC is the friends that I've made, the staff, and the volunteers who help out.

    Emily Colaizy, HFC member

  • I love HFC because I get to be with my friends and go on adventures! I also love music and drumming class. I feel lucky that my two brothers can take me and be with me for all the fun!

    Sam, HFC member

  • HFC has been a great experience for David, especially to be able to continue seeing his friends via Zoom during Covid and while recovering from his surgeries.

    Paul Bender, HFC parent

  • HFC has given me new confidence, and I really have made new friends that I’ve had for years and years. At HFC I am loved and I feel like I’m the best person in the world!

    Joel, HFC member

  • I like HFC because they have a lot of other members with disabilities and the staff are really nice. They're so funny.

    Hanna Bolstrom, HFC member

  • I have been in HFC since I was a teenager. I was one of the youngest members. In the beginning there weren't as many members as we have now. I am glad that we keep new members! What I like best about HFC are the instructors. They always make me feel welcomed. They help me when I need help and encourage me when I think I can't do something. They make each class fun by having us try new things!

    Michelle, HFC member

  • HFC has enhanced Tricia's life tremendously from teen years through transitioning to young adulthood. HFC has given us both a sense of belonging and helped Tricia with skills for living! Recently, Tricia was involved with a personal safety class. HFC addresses needs that parents often look for support with for their young adults. It's been wonderful.

    Anne, HFC parent

  • When I was little, my mom worried about my future, and if I would have friends and a social life... I could be busy all day, every day... HFC means I didn't spend my summer, or weekends isolated. It means getting out in the community, acceptance, trying and learning new things. It means having a social calendar that would be exhausting to most. Most of all, HFC means lifelong friendships!

    Angela, HFC member

  • Highland Friendship Club gives value to Andrew’s life; it gives him purpose and meaning.

    Rita Corrigan, HFC member mom

  • I've been a member of the Highland Friendship Club since 2004. Through HFC I've done things I couldn't have anywhere else like circus arts, movie making, cooking classes and beat boxing plus swimming, singing, bowling, parties, dances and retreats. And that's not counting many activities I haven't even tried yet!

    Charlie, HFC member

  • HFC you’re the best, you rock! HFC has helped me focus on some of my hobbies... I have met some cool people and great leaders. Some of my favorite programs are Glee Club, Tennis, Friday Night Fun, and cooking class. I love the field trips like the ball games too! And thank you HFC for all the fun times... it means the world to me!

    Kayla, HFC member

  • I love the activities and the people at HFC. Because of it, I had the chance to make friends like Jake. My favorite activity is cooking.

    Maria, HFC member

  • Highland Friendship Club is a lifeline to hundreds of young adults with disabilities. When I think of the daily experiences our members are provided, I realize how fortunate they are to experience enriching opportunities where they can grow and develop new and rewarding skills. Their days are spent with a community of people in an environment filled with joy, acceptance and mutual respect.

    Renee, HFC parent

  • HFC believes there are plenty of things in the world to discover. Mike can get out front and face things head on and gosh there is plenty for him to see, thanks to HFC!

    Tony, HFC sibling

  • My favorite thing to do with HFC is going to the fire station with friends.

    John, HFC member

Be the Reason a Smile Happens Today

Help us create more opportunities and friendships.

The Right Thing To Do

In this children’s book, Joe Schmit writes about Joe Mauer and the importance about kindness and inclusion. Part of the proceeds of book sales benefit HFC!