THERE IS HOPE!The Story of Erin’s Hope for Friends

Erin’s Hope for Friends is a faith-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) public charity and all donations are tax-deductible.

Erin’s Hope for Friends does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation,

national origin or ancestry.

Darren and Stacy Horst’s 17-year-old daughter Erin was a gentle and talented girl who faced many challenges, primarily Asperger’s syndrome.

The couple lost their beloved daughter tragically in January 2014, but aspire to allow Erin’s compassionate spirit to live on through charity. The Horst family founded Erin’s Hope for Friends in Erin’s loving memory to help teens like her struggling with Asperger’s make meaningful and lasting social connections. “If Erin had one really good friend that she connected to, that she could do something with for one evening a week,” said Darren, “It would have changed her whole life.” Erin’s Hope for Friends believes that extending kids with HFAS and Asperger’s the opportunity to form friendships can change their lives.

1 Kennedy Krieger Institute2 Center on Secondary Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder3 Stephanie C. Holmes, MA, BCCC, Certified Autism Specialist, American Association of Christian Counselors

HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM SPECTRUM

Erin’s Hope for Friends is filling a void.

High Functioning Autism Spectrum (HFAS) is a disorder that makes it very difficult to interact with other people. People suffering from HFAS may be socially awkward, make limited eye contact and often do not understand common social cues.

As a result, these intelligent and caring people are frequently misunderstood and 61%1 of them fall subject to bullying and social isolation. With depression rates and suicidal thoughts 50%2 3 higher in children with HFAS than in the general population, this type of loneliness does immeasurable damage to their sense of self-worth and can take over their lives.

However, there is hope.

Erin’s Hope for Friends is bridging the gap for socially challenged teens by providing a safe place for joyful interactions and fun activities. E’s club, a service of Erin’s Hope for Friends, will be the only center of its kind in Atlanta highly focused on facilitating positive social interactions and developing friendships for teens and young adults with HFAS.

Come and join E’s Club. A place for teens and young adults with HFAS to meet & make friends.

Creating lasting relationships

through joyful interactions for high

functioning autism spectrum (HFAS)

teens and young adults.

ErinsHopeForFriends.org

11940 Alpharetta Hwy, Suite #110Alpharetta, GA 30009

GET INVOLVED!

There are many ways you can help Erin’s Hope for Friends!

• Volunteer• Monetary donation• Support our annual celebration

fundraiser by sponsoring or attending the event

• Sign up to receive our newsletter

For a complete list of volunteer opportunities, information about the annual celebration fundraiser, or to make a donation, please visit erinshopeforfriends.org.

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For Teens & Young Adults with HFAS

ErinsHopeForFriends.org

“A friend loves at all times; a brother is born

for adversity.”

Proverbs 17:17

E’s Club is not social skills therapy! E’s Club is a fun and relaxing place where teens and young adults with HFAS can connect and develop meaningful friendships in a safe and encouraging environment.

• E’s Club hosts weekly gatherings. • E’s Club offers a wide-range of activities to appeal to a broad audience.

• The E’s Club facility has a stress-free hang out zone with game tables and other activities. • Staff and volunteers are always on hand to provide oversight, friendship and encouragement.

E’s Club participation is free; however if you have the ability to pay, we kindly ask for a donation of $10 to defray costs. To inquire about the E’s Club membership process, please contact Rachel Hanthorn-Kolis at rachelhk@erinshopeforfriends.org.