At Cardinal Gibbons, one club is focused on something deeper than typical extracurricular activities: building meaningful relationships. Gibbons Friends, founded in 2023 by Deborah Taylor, gives students the opportunity to meet individuals in the community who have intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities. What came from a simple idea has blossomed into one of the school’s most impactful clubs.

Taylor started the club with a personal mission in her mind. As a parent who has a special needs child, she has experienced the challenges families face.

“I have a son with special needs, and I know what that world is like,” said Taylor. “I know that when you have a child with special needs, parents don’t get a respite from that ever, and there aren’t a lot of social events and things for them. So I wanted to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.”

But the club wasn’t just to support families with disabilities; it was also designed to help students grow in empathy and compassion.

“I also wanted to be sure that our student body was growing in compassion for these individuals as well, and one of the best ways to do that is to interact,” said Taylor. “So I launched the idea of ‘Gibbons Friends.’”

Growing a Community of Compassion

The response from students was immediate. During the first year, between 50 and 75 students joined the club. Since then, the club has grown exponentially, with nearly 200 students signed up and 55 to 60 actively participating in events throughout the year. For major events, such as the Shamrock Ball, participation can reach more than 130 students.

Meetings typically happen once a month and focus on planning upcoming events. Organizing an event can begin a month prior or even earlier to ensure partner organizations and families are informed in advance.

“We create events for individuals in the community that otherwise wouldn’t be invited to things,” said Taylor.

Some of these events throughout the year include Trunk or Treat, the Spring Fling held on the school’s quad with games and activities, and educational events where speakers help students better understand intellectual and developmental disabilities. Many guests return year after year, building long-lasting friendships with students.

Expanding Opportunities

 As the club continues to grow, so do the opportunities the club offers. One of the newest projects connects guests with Holy Grounds, the coffee shop on campus led by students and moderators. 

“We’ve branched out now and brought individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into Holy Grounds,” said Taylor. “They’re learning how to run and market so they can be more gainful and employed because it’s really hard for people with adults within intellectual disabilities to get jobs. So the more experience and exposure they can get, the better the chances they have.”

During April, participants visit Holy Grounds every Tuesday and Thursday to gain hands-on experience while interacting with students on campus.

The club has also inspired other collaborations across campus. After a drama student approached Taylor, the theater program began offering sensory-sensitive shows designed to create a more comfortable environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. This year will mark the third performance of these inclusive productions.

Lasting Impact

At its core, Gibbons Friends is centered around teamwork and collaboration among students. Members work together to plan events, organize activities, and ensure that each gathering is welcoming for every guest who attends.

Throughout the year, students take on responsibilities such as helping coordinate games, preparing activities, and helping communicate with families and partner organizations. Rather than relying on just a few individuals, the club functions through a combined effort of many students who share the same goal to create meaningful experiences for others.

“I think that sometimes people are apprehensive, then they realize how incredible it is to interact with these individuals, you come away with such an incredible feeling,” Taylor said. “We always get more back from them than they get.”

For Taylor, the impact of these events is visible in both the reactions from students and families.

“When our guests are here, they are so loved, and they feel the authentic care,” Taylor added. “I’ve had parents that have been just weeping, talking to me about how incredible the event was for their loved one because they felt completely embraced.”

Through many shared efforts and compassion for one another, Gibbons Friends continues to build a growing community where everyone feels welcomed and valued.