Finding Friendship, Independence, and Joy
When Emily and her family moved from Oklahoma to Minnesota, they left behind a tight-knit community of friends, church, and familiar routines. “She had a group of friends she knew from school,” Traci, Emily’s mom, recalled. “But we knew absolutely nobody here. That was my biggest concern with moving. How do we build connections?”
That concern quickly turned into hope when Traci spotted a flyer from the Maple Grove Community Center listing activities for individuals with disabilities. “I looked up Reach online after I saw that and I was like, oh, this is great,” she said. “Maybe she could meet some friends and do some out-of-the-house rec activities.”
Emily joined Reach in the fall of 2021 and dove in headfirst. “She did 90-plus activities last year [2024],” Traci shared smiling. “A couple a week of the rec activities. Bowling, karaoke, hiking, dancing, She’s all in.” From dance nights to soccer league and hiking, Emily found joy in the variety. “I love the Cat Café outings,” Emily said with a smile. “And I love Karaoke and Mocktail nights. Love it.”
But Reach gave Emily more than just fun. It gave her friendship, independence, and purpose. “She has at least five friends she met through Reach that she does stuff with outside of activities,” Traci said. “Concerts, the fair, Comic Con, video chats, phone calls. She’s in contact with someone daily.”
In fact, Traci noted with a slight laugh: “Her social life is better than the rest of us who moved. She has made more friends and has a more active social life than her sisters and I do.”
For Traci, this was life-changing. “Adults in general have difficulty making friends. And being a person with a disability adds another hurdle,” she explained. “Reach is the single place that has made that happen. It’s where she’s met her friends, made connections, and built a rich social life.”
Emily’s growth has been profound. “I’ve seen an increase in her independence,” Traci said. “She takes Metro Mobility to events, finds her way, and problem-solves. She advocates for herself more than she did before.” Emily agreed, sharing a story of standing up for herself when a driver tried to drop her off at the wrong location. “I had to put my foot down and say, ‘This is where I’m supposed to be. Let me off.’”
Beyond her own journey, Emily has become a cheerleader for others. “She’s good at connecting people to activities,” Traci said. “She’ll meet someone reluctant to try something new and talk them into coming with her.” Emily added, “I try to advocate not just for myself, but for others. I help people find staff, speak up, and feel confident.”
Her advice to anyone unsure about joining Reach? “Try one activity close to home. Look up the details, check the address, and just give it a chance,” Emily said. “The people are friendly, and there’s something for everyone.”
Traci summed it up best: “Reach has really been just a blessing to our family. It’s been such a good thing for Emily. It’s given her a rich, active life. I’m very grateful.”