Special Needs Families

If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, working with yarn, this is the group for you. Meet new friends, bring your projects, learn from others.
We normally meet a few times a month during the week from 6-8pm. We will occasionally meet on weekends during daytime hours.

Feeling down? Sometimes depressed? Can't focus? Negativity & stress? Recent losses? Creativity in career and personal life hindered by mental blocks? Sometimes we never fully recover from traumatic experiences. Whether it was yesterday, last week or a year ago, traumatic experiences - a loss of a loved one, losing a job, a breakup - can leave you scarred. You talk about it and feel a little better, but it never goes away. After you hang up the phone, it's still there; the sadness, the cloud, the over-thinking, the worry, the guilt. You try to focus, but you're blocked. You try to look forward into new experiences, new relationships but a cloud is hanging over you, casting a shadow on what you once considered a bright, cheerful future. What happened to your courage? Your strength of character? You're 'why not' attitude? Whoever said 'time heals' must have had a special time machine, because after weeks, months, years, you're wondering - when exactly does that kick in? Sometimes it seems like drinking or drugs are the way to go. But they wear off, and now the problem is still there with added side effects from the drugs. At this free local Meetup event we will talk about: * What causes grief, anxiety and depression to become chronic. * Is it possible to regain your joy and happiness even after traumatic experiences? * How to break away from negativity and focus on the future * What are the steps to take to get control of your mind and your emotions? Learn about a safe, gentle, do-it-yourself counseling that can be done in the comfort of your own home. Let's explore safe, effective solutions for healing from traumatic experiences. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center.

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

We will show how to build custom agents with Microsoft Agent Framework. Attendees will learn how to build and custom host agents when Microsoft Foundry is not a viable option.

For the last 5 years, Central Ohio Friends and Columbus Social Connection have teamed up for some incredible nights out and some of the biggest social events in Columbus with our biggest combined event bringing out 80+ people. ⚠️ Please only RSVP through ONE group to help keep headcount accurate. Now we’re celebrating where it all started. On Friday, May 22, we’ll be joining Central Ohio Friends 🍻 **Starting at** Brothers Bar & Grill in the Arena District the same place their very first event was held back in 2021. Whether you’ve been to one of our events before or **have been waiting for the right one to come out to,** this is a great one to jump into. Stop scrolling. Start doing stuff. If you find value in these events consider contributing Link can be found in comments!

The topic for May is "Ink" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Join us for a relaxed and enjoyable brunch at 17 Arrows Kitchen and Bar! This is a great opportunity to meet new people, enjoy good food, and ease into the weekend with great conversation. Whether you’re new to the group or it’s your first event, you’ll feel right at home.

Summer Session, Thursdays, June 4 - July 23, 2026, from 6 to 8:30pm ET **NAMI Family-to-Family** is a free, eight-week program for family members, caregivers, and partners of individuals living with mental illness. NAMI Family-to-Family provides information about anxiety, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. Other topics covered include communication, problem solving, treatment, and recovery.

**🪷 Speed Dating Live on Zoom for Singles near Surrey** You get to cycle through rapid one-on-one Zoom dates with Surrey singles matched by age and personality, while the host manages transitions so you can focus on the person in front of you. As part of the process, a two-minute quiz captures your personality — those details are used to identify compatible Surrey singles for your rounds, so the format works harder than any dating app. Once it is wrapped up, we send mutual match results — with nothing shared unless both parties agreed — and you are in control of what happens next. **Your age group, your link:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Surrey&groupurlname=the-collective-for-intentional-social-growth&ar=18-32&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Surrey&groupurlname=the-collective-for-intentional-social-growth&ar=30-46&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Surrey&groupurlname=the-collective-for-intentional-social-growth&ar=40-58&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Surrey&groupurlname=the-collective-for-intentional-social-growth&ar=55+&face_v=4.0) **⚠️ Required step:** This rsvp does not equal a reserved seat, so select your age range link above, fill in the registration, and answer the personality quiz — capacity is intentionally small so get in early, and your place is confirmed only once you have done both. --- **Your evening, step by step** 1. **Claim your spot** – by tapping the link for your age group, then finish the compatibility quiz, as the quiz plus registration is what counts. 2. **Jump on Zoom** – by clicking the Zoom link at the event start time, zero setup is required — just open the link, and once you are in the host handles the rest entirely. 3. **Have your dates** – short one-on-one rounds with personality-matched Surrey locals in your group, as the host signals each transition calmly and clearly, and the people in your rounds were sorted specifically for you. 4. **Find your matches** – mutual matches are sent to you privately after the event ends, since non-mutual choices are never shared with either party, and once you have it you decide how and when to connect. **Who shows up:** - Members from Surrey bored of dating apps that go nowhere and want to meet real locals without the faff. - First-timers from around Surrey looking beyond the app treadmill that goes in circles and are serious about meeting someone. - Individuals across Surrey getting away from apps that waste evenings for no return and want to meet real locals without the faff. - Residents from around Surrey looking beyond swiping with nothing to show for it and prefer meeting people in person first. - Locals calling Surrey home getting away from dating apps that go nowhere and are ready for a genuine first impression. **About the Event** - **Format:** Dedicated and hosted via Zoom with back-to-back private rounds per pair, sorted by personality quiz and age for every round. - **Where:** At-home — on any internet-connected device, no special equipment — just a device with a camera and internet, and couch desk or spare room are all equally valid spots. - **Host:** A supportive host guides every round from start to finish, so the evening runs without a hitch — not a single logistical thing is left for you to manage. - **Vibe:** Comfortable video rounds with Surrey singles who are here for the same reason you are, and the host keeps everything comfortable throughout. - **Duration:** Usually sixty to ninety minutes from round one onwards, though times can vary slightly. ⭐ *"Better than expected — way better than anything I have tried before"* – Surrey local, first event 💡 **Worth knowing:** put your phone on silent before joining, and the host takes care of everything else from there, since small prep leads to a noticeably better experience. --- ✨ Done with apps — start here — grab your place above before it goes and we sort the rest this time. See you in the first round. 💕 ✨

**🌟 One-on-One Speed Dating Online for Richmond Singles on Zoom** Each evening, you'll experience brief timed Zoom sessions with age-matched personality-sorted Richmond locals, as a friendly host guides every transition. As you finalise your spot, you complete a brief compatibility form — we use those answers to put the right Richmond singles in front of you, so every round is informed by more than just looks. Once it is wrapped up, mutual connections are confirmed and shared — contact details flow only on mutual selection — and from there you take it forward at your own pace. **Pick your age group and register:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Richmond&groupurlname=the-collective-for-intentional-social-growth&ar=18-32&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Richmond&groupurlname=the-collective-for-intentional-social-growth&ar=30-46&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Richmond&groupurlname=the-collective-for-intentional-social-growth&ar=40-58&face_v=4.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=537.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Richmond&groupurlname=the-collective-for-intentional-social-growth&ar=55+&face_v=4.0) **⚠️ Two steps needed:** Clicking rsvp here is not the same as registering, so register through the age group link, complete the form, and take the two-minute personality quiz — spots fill quickly so do not leave it too long, and the quiz plus registration together hold your place. --- **What to do** 1. **Book your spot** – via your age group registration link, then answer the personality questions, as without this your RSVP holds nothing. 2. **Open the call** – at the event start time via your Zoom link, works anywhere with a camera and internet, and round management is all on the host from there. 3. **Connect** – timed one-on-one speed dates with compatible Richmond singles in your bracket, while the host runs the clock so you can focus on the conversation, as the quiz results already did the work of choosing who you meet. 4. **Check your results** – we reveal mutual matches once the session ends, with contact info only shared when both of you said yes, and you reach out whenever you feel ready. **Best suited to:** - Those throughout Richmond bored of shallow connections that never lead anywhere and want to try something that actually works. - Someone from Richmond moving beyond matches that ghost after two messages and want real chemistry over profile photos. - Professionals throughout Richmond done with matches that fade out before meeting and need a better way to meet people. - Locals from Richmond who are tired of dating apps that go nowhere and are ready for a genuine first impression. - Anyone at all who live in Richmond who are tired of profiles instead of real people and want to try something that actually works. 💡 **Setup tip:** run a quick Zoom test the day before, because background and lighting matter more than you would think, as the host manages the rest and all you need is working tech. --- ✨ Done with apps — start here — book your spot above and everything from there is on us before spots go. Real connection starts here. 🎯 ✨