One mother’s commitment to inclusivity has blossomed into a vital community resource in Spring Hill, Tennessee, Walnut Creek, California, and nationwide online. Noralyn Giles, co-founder and chair of Friday Night Out, created the 501(c)3 non-profit not only to foster meaningful connections for those with diverse abilities but also to support parents in their shared journeys.
“Friday Night Out is a social group for people with special abilities,” Noralyn says. “With our 25-year old daughter who has Down syndrome, we noticed that in elementary school and middle school, there’s typically an environment of inclusion and acceptance. Around the high school years, and beyond, it becomes harder to stay connected with their typically developing peers. When we started seeing that shift in our daughter’s life, we wanted her to have a social network that she could participate in and create lifelong friendships."
Friday Night Out gives people with special abilities the chance to have a fun Friday night out just like everyone else. In February 2024, Rachel Schreiber started in-person events for Friday Night Out in Spring Hill. “Here in Spring Hill we dance, eat pizza, go to local events together, and build community. We make friends that we never would have met if there wasn’t a safe place that we could gather and everybody’s welcome.” Friday Night Out serves 25 people at the Spring Hill event, more than 85 people at the Walnut Creek event, and between 70-90 people online every Friday.
The organization’s desire to bring the community together goes beyond the young adults with special abilities, though. Noralyn’s own story, as a mother, created a deeper drive to connect parents as well. “Not only are we serving these young adults, we are serving their parents or caregivers who all walk a similar journey,” says Noralyn.
Friday Night Out is supported by many local businesses and generous individual donors. The City of Spring Hill gives the group a safe place to meet at Westchester Community Center, Marco’s Pizza donates pizza, and local businesses like the Genie Group and Honey Do Services of Franklin support our event. "Our theme song, ‘Everybody’s Welcome,’ was written by award-winning songwriter, Michael Farren and Friday Night Out volunteer, Mark Schreiber," says Noralyn. Friends of the community volunteer their talent and time to make the Friday Night Out happen in Spring Hill the first Friday of each month. FridayNightOut.net