What is Meet-n-Eat?
Meet-n-Eat is a social group designed to meet the needs of persons over 18 who have limited social opportunities, and who want to learn more about the social world and become more comfortable within it. The group offers like-minded persons who are neurodiverse the opportunity to meet others and make new friends. The group gathers for five different social events each month, including a dinner with a social discussion, a night or day out in the community, a movie night at the iCan House, an activity planning meeting, and much more!
What are the benefits of attending?
Each person attending Meet-N-Eat events benefits in their own unique way. iCan House provides a safe, welcoming atmosphere where individuals can grow in self-esteem, which in turn, improves confidence in social settings in the real world. By joining the club, the person experiences a sense of belonging and naturally makes friends with others in the group. iCan House also encourages members to socialize with each other outside of scheduled Meet-n-Eat gatherings. And whenever possible, iCan House staff provide feedback and coaching in the moment for incidental learning and support members to develop deepening friendships along the way.
When does Meet-n-Eat take place?
Meet-n-Eat events generally take place in the evening hours on weeknights. The schedule changes monthly, though there is a pattern to the calendar. At the beginning of each month, an email newsletter with all event details and registration information is sent to members. Registration is required for each event, an important skill the member learns, allowing them to plan their social calendar.
How does one join Meet-n-Eat?
To join Meet-n-Eat, contact iCan House to schedule a phone interview and in-person meeting with our Admissions Specialist. Through the meeting and conversation, we get to know the candidate and learn about their needs and interests. Once accepted into the program, each member is responsible for transportation to and from the events. Multiple billing options are available. Also, four times a year, a limited number of scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Monthly membership allows access to all regular Meet-N-Eat events each month.
What happens at Meet-n-Eat events?
Meet-n-Eat is comprised of many different types of activities such as those listed below.
Get Together
Get Together Night centers around a pizza dinner, accompanied by a discussion based on a social topic. While waiting for others to arrive and settle in, participants mingle and get to know each other alongside the group facilitators. After an icebreaker activity, a presentation of the evening’s social topic includes meaningful conversation. The discussion is followed by dinner around a communal table where individual personalities shine. After dinner, individuals can play a game or simply engage in conversation allowing each person a way to be social.
Night/Day Out
The group meets at least once a month for a social activity in the community, Locations and activities vary giving participants an opportunity to improve social skills in the real world while surrounded by friends and mentors. The group often meets at a restaurant followed by an activity at places such as the roller rink, movie theater, arcade, bowling alley, WS Dash baseball games, the fair, and much, much more!
Movie Night
A casual night where members gather to watch a movie together. Every month at the MnE Planning Committee the group selects a movie using a voting process. iCan House provides popcorn and drinks while members enjoy the show together.
Hang Out Night
Each month, Meet-n-Eat members gather for a special event such as game night, international night, relaxation night, therapy dog night, karaoke, weird food night, or other special event that they select.
Planning Committee Meeting
Once a month members can attend a planning committee meeting where staff facilitate discussion about potential activities they would like to experience. Through this discussion members learn to compromise and how to form a consensus.
