Friends: The National Association of Young People Who Stutter

We are the only 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization dedicated solely to empowering young people who stutter and their families.

Join us at our 27th Annual Convention July 18-20, 2024 in Denver

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18 july 2024 – 20 july 2024

Friends 27th Annual Convention

Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver Tech Center

Connect with kids, parents, siblings, and SLPs all hoping for the same unforgettable time as you. When you leave on Sunday, we are positive you will tell your new Friends how happy you are that you decided to come to a Friends convention, followed by a ‘See you next year!’ You can expect this to be an amazing three-days of laughter, education, tears, support, hugs, and FRIENDSHIP. Registration is now open!

Memorial Dinner for Lee

Thursday, July 17, 2024, 6:00 PM
Embassy Suites by Hilton Denver Tech Center
10250 E Costilla Ave, Centennial, CO 80112

Our beloved co-founder Lee Caggiano passed away on November 11, 2023 after dedicating her life to helping children who stutter and their families. Someone once called Lee “the mother of all children who stutter.” No truer words were ever spoken. In this sad time, let’s support one another, share memories of Lee, and be with Friends. Together we can honor her life and the remarkable community she has built.

We are creating a community space on the evening before our 27th Annual Convention for those who want to connect and share feelings about Lee. Everyone is welcome, no matter what age, and can join this dinner at no cost. Please RSVP by clicking the button on the right so that we can order enough food.

 

Read this moving tribute to Lee written by our very own friend, John Hendrickson: “The Woman Who Didn’t See Stuttering as a Flaw

Honoring Lee's Legacy

You can help ensure the longevity of Friends.

Though Lee Caggiano will not be here to see the next chapter of Friends, we are committed to honoring Lee’s life work by securing the future of the organization she poured her heart and soul into. Lee created and nurtured a space for young people who stutter and their loved ones where they could all be safe, challenged, and unconditionally accepted. Help us continue to provide young people with the skills they need to advocate for themselves, become empowered, and learn to live well with their stuttering.

Our Mission

Friends aims to provide support, education and empowerment to children and teens who stutter, their families and clinicians.

Our annual conventions and regional one day conferences provide the opportunities for life-changing experiences that can impact long lasting feelings about stuttering and offer new hope for a life with stuttering. Friends seeks to make life easier for young people who stutter and their families.

Our Story

In 1997, Friends was founded by John Ahlbach and Lee Caggiano to meet the need for organized support and education for young people who stutter and their families. Over the years, we have expanded into a national organization that hosts a large annual convention each July and many regional one-day conferences around the country throughout the year.

Annual Conventions

One Day Conferences

Attendees

Explore Friends

Virtual Programs

We are now offering monthly virtual programming, including kid groups, teen groups, adult groups, parent groups, and special monthly events — a time for everyone!

Regional One-Day Conferences

Full days of group activities, presentations, and panels designed to offer support and information to children and families 

Annual Convention

A 3-day immersive convention with abundant support, family-oriented events, keynote speakers, and workshops for all

We felt like we ‘belonged’ as soon as we arrived at the hotel. We benefitted so much from hearing of other families’ journeys, their challenges and their victories.

– John, convention attendee
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