Stay Social Now

About Stay Social Now

Stay Social is a San Diego-area social recreation and event organization created for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want more opportunities to make friends, pursue interests, develop practical skills, and participate in community life. Founded by Encinitas resident Catherine Breen, Stay Social addresses a common transition many neurodiverse adults and their families experience after school-based programs end: fewer structured chances to meet peers, try new activities, and build relationships outside the home.

Rather than offering one-time entertainment alone, Stay Social develops recurring events and small-group experiences designed to make social participation more accessible and meaningful. Its programming brings members together around shared interests, from bowling, art, games, fitness, cooking, sports, and outdoor activities to social gatherings, dances, and local outings. Activities are structured to encourage conversation, familiarity, and connection over time, with trained staff helping participants engage with one another in a supportive setting.

The organization’s central purpose is to reduce isolation and expand the social networks of adults with developmental and intellectual challenges. For many participants, meeting new people can be difficult without an environment that understands varied communication styles, social comfort levels, sensory needs, and learning differences. Stay Social provides an organized alternative to unstructured social settings by creating activities with clear plans, peer interaction, and staff facilitation. The goal is not simply to fill a calendar, but to help members gain confidence, develop friendships, and enjoy greater independence in their social lives.

Core Events and Social Recreation

Stay Social hosts weekly Core Events, generally lasting one to two hours. These larger group gatherings give members a regular place to reconnect with familiar faces while meeting others in the community. Programming changes throughout the year, providing variety while retaining the consistency that can help participants feel comfortable joining in.

Core Event examples have included bowling and pizza gatherings, dating and relationships socials, art socials, game nights, fitness classes, and outings to entertainment venues. These events can appeal to adults who enjoy active recreation as well as those who prefer creative, conversational, or structured indoor activities. A bowling event, for example, combines a straightforward shared activity with time to socialize over food, while an art social may offer a lower-pressure way for participants to connect through a project.

The organization’s dating and relationships programming is also relevant for adults with disabilities seeking opportunities to discuss relationships, practice social skills, and meet peers in a respectful, facilitated environment. Social connection is a core part of adult life, yet it is often less available to people with developmental disabilities once they leave school. Stay Social’s event model recognizes that friendship, belonging, recreation, and relationship education all contribute to quality of life.

Premium Events and Local Experiences

In addition to weekly programming, Stay Social offers monthly Premium Events that provide longer, more specialized experiences. These events typically run two to three hours and have limited enrollment, creating a smaller setting where attendees can spend more time getting to know one another.

Premium programming has included visits to LEGOLAND, San Diego Padres games, cooking classes, K1 Speed outings, outdoor movie nights, formal dances, escape rooms, and other special activities. These experiences introduce members to recreational destinations and local venues while giving them a shared reason to connect. They can be especially useful for people who would like to enjoy the kinds of outings many adults pursue independently but benefit from a group setting with social support and thoughtful planning.

Stay Social also organizes seasonal and themed events, including dance parties. Group dance instruction can help participants join the fun regardless of prior experience, using familiar routines and a welcoming format. Events such as formal dances, themed celebrations, and movie nights create occasions for members to dress up, celebrate, practice social confidence, and make memories with peers.

Skill-Building Through Semi-Private Lessons

Stay Social’s semi-private lessons combine instruction with social development. These sessions are taught by professionals and are intended for members at different skill levels, with limited group sizes allowing for more individualized attention. The format gives participants an opportunity to learn something new while spending time with others who share the same interest.

Examples include on-course and semi-private golf lessons led by a PGA golf professional, as well as cooking classes led by a certified dietitian. Golf instruction may suit members who want to build confidence in a sport that can be enjoyed socially over time, while cooking lessons can support practical skill development, food exploration, and shared experiences in the kitchen. By pairing specialized instruction with group participation, Stay Social helps turn learning opportunities into settings for relationship building.

These lessons can be a meaningful option for adults who want activities that extend beyond social mixers. They support members who are interested in hobbies, recreation, wellness, and personal growth, while still keeping connection with peers at the center of the experience.

Clubs and Small Groups

For members interested in deeper involvement around a particular hobby or goal, Stay Social offers clubs that meet regularly with the same participants over a set period. This continuity gives people more opportunities to move beyond casual introductions and develop stronger friendships through shared routines and accomplishments.

Club offerings have included a Performing Arts Club, where members can workshop talents in preparation for an annual talent show; a Hiking Club exploring San Diego trails with a Certified Autism Fitness Trainer; a Bowling Club focused on league participation and skill development; and a Run Club training for the Encinitas Turkey Trot. These activities serve a range of interests, from performing and athletics to outdoor recreation and friendly competition.

Small Groups are designed for three to five participants who share an interest or want to work toward a common goal. Led by professional staff, these groups offer an even more personal setting for members who may find larger events overwhelming or who prefer focused instruction. A pickleball small group, for example, has provided multi-week clinics with coaching from a pickleball professional, combining extra time to practice with opportunities for members to get to know one another.

The small-group model also leaves room for programming shaped by member interests. This responsiveness is important because adults with disabilities are not a single, uniform audience. Some may be interested in sports, others in art, food, performing arts, games, or outdoor pursuits. Stay Social’s range of formats helps participants choose activities that match their personalities and goals.

San Diego Community Connections

Stay Social is closely connected to the San Diego social recreation landscape, with programming and partnerships that reach beyond a single event venue. The organization partners with The Arc of San Diego to host the Our Place Social Recreation Club in Central and South San Diego. This collaboration expands access to organized social activities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in different parts of the region.

The organization also offers support for special-needs providers seeking help with social recreation programming. Its approach includes curriculum, staff training, and resources intended to help organizations create more meaningful group experiences for the people they serve. This reflects an understanding that inclusive social programming requires more than selecting an activity; it also requires intentional facilitation, accessible planning, and an environment where participants can feel included.

Founder-Led Perspective and Professional Expertise

Stay Social was founded from a personal understanding of the need for adult disability services and social opportunities. Catherine Breen’s oldest son, Thomas, has a developmental disability and is on the autism spectrum. As he transitioned out of school-based and organized programs, she recognized the lack of ongoing social outlets available to young adults with similar needs. That experience led to the creation of Stay Social and continues to inform its community-centered mission.

The team includes professional expertise in education, social thinking, and disability support. Program Designer and Social Thinking Coach Elizabeth Odenthal has worked in public education for more than two decades and holds academic credentials in psychology, special education, and school psychology. This background supports the organization’s focus on purposeful programming rather than simply arranging outings.

Stay Social has also been featured in a San Diego ABC News 10 interview discussing the need for social outlets for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The attention highlights a broader community issue: adults with disabilities often need more opportunities for friendship, recreation, and connection after traditional school supports conclude.

For adults in San Diego and surrounding communities who want to meet peers, explore new interests, build skills, and participate in organized social activities, Stay Social offers a varied calendar of events, clubs, lessons, and small groups. Its programming is built around a simple but important idea: community is strengthened when people have consistent opportunities to show up, take part, and enjoy life together.

Amenities & Service Options