Current Programs
KHC Buddy Meetups - Spring 2025
1/19/25 - 4/13/25
4 in-person meetups: 1/19, 2/9, 3/23, 4/13 (Sundays 2:30–3:30 pm PST)
K to 12th graders
Cost - FREE!
Opening Doors PTA is excited to announce a free new Kids Hangout Club Buddy Meetups pilot program launching in the spring of 2025, featuring passionate teen volunteers from Belmont Parks and Recreation VOICES team as mentors!
This pilot program offers K–12 neurodiverse students the opportunity to practice social skills with a matched volunteer mentor while engaging with the evidence-based PEERS curriculum. Our goal is to help students develop and maintain meaningful friendships through natural conversations and playful interactions in a supportive peer-to-peer environment.
During our monthly meetups, students will enjoy one-on-one time with their matched mentors to deepen their relationships and participate in small teams to enhance teamwork, sportsmanship, and communication skills. They will also engage in group activities designed to build confidence within a safe and inclusive community. Students can stay connected through various Kids Hangout Club platforms, including Google Classroom, Zoom meetups, and Buddy Meetups.
Why the Buddy Meetups is Special:
Both students and mentors must commit to attending all four Sunday meetups (1/19, 2/9, 3/23, 4/13) to help reduce anxiety and cultivate deeper, more meaningful relationships.
The program fosters a peer-to-peer environment where students can engage directly, building friendships in a safe and supportive space with guidance from their mentors as needed.
Dedicated BCBA and PEERS providers carefully match students with mentors to ensure a supportive and meaningful partnership.
Students will receive a Google Form a week before each meetup, allowing them to preview and get familiar with the upcoming topics and activities.
Mentors will naturally incorporate the evidence-based PEERS curriculum through their interactions and behavior modeling during the meetup.
Each student will receive a unique souvenir passport containing motivational messages and progress notes from their mentors on the final day.
Space is limited—sign up quickly after reviewing the information below!
Who:
Ten neurodiverse students in K–12 who are adventurous and committed to attending all four Sunday meetups to enhance their personal growth.
When:
Four Sundays from 2:30–3:30 PM: 1/19, 2/9, 3/23, 4/13.
(The session on 4/13 will conclude at 4:00 PM with a small celebration, including food chosen by the students!)
Where:
Belmont Senior & Community Center
(The facility includes amenities such as ping pong tables and indoor/outdoor games.)
Important Dates:
11/30: Application Deadline
12/15: Admission Notification
This FREE program is offered by Opening Doors PTA, with teen volunteer mentors supported by Belmont Parks and Recreation. The program is open to all neurodiverse students in K–12, with priority enrollment given to Opening Doors PTA members.
Dedicated BCBA and PEERS providers will offer training and ongoing supervision for teen volunteer mentors at all meetups. This is NOT a drop-off event; parents are required to stay and provide support as needed.
Please contact Anita Yu or Rianne Supie Mohammed if you have any questions.
Please click on the KHC Buddy Meetups Form - Spring 2025 to register today!
KHC Zoom Meetups - Spring 2025
2/12/25 - 4/30/25
6 online meetups: 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 3/26, 4/16, 4/30 (Wednesdays 5:00 - 5:45 pm PST)
4th to 12th graders
Cost - FREE!
During our online meetups, our teen peer leaders will share carefully pre-selected interesting and educational videos to spark conversations, inspire creativity, encourage questions, and motivate kids. The visual learning experience with the teen peer leaders naturally engage kids in the topic, start conversations, learn new knowledge, and have fun all here at our Kids Hangout Club! From the fall of 2024, Supie Mohammed, a PEERS certified co-host, will explore the secrets of friendship with the kids using the evidence-based social skills programs that will help in developing and maintaining close friendships!
During our in-person meetups, kids can interact with each other directly and further foster their friendships in person!
Our meetups are always featured with fresh and exciting new content to keep the kids engaged, educated, and entertained.
All of our meetups are supervised by a PEERS certified volunteer, Anita Yu, and they are completely free!
*Each participant will need a Gmail account in order to participate in the google classroom projects.
Please contact Anita Yu or Rianne Supie Mohammed if you have any questions.
Please click on the KHC Zoom Meetups Form - Spring 2025 to register today!
*Kids Hangout Club is an Opening Doors PTA Program. Supervision of the group, including its activities and events, is provided by Opening Doors PTA staff.