Hangout:
“A place where people with similar interests gather to learn, discuss community issues and share personal, first-hand insights. At a hangout, you meet other people 'like you'… and are understood.”
Designed to meet a Primal Need…
Community Hangouts was formed out of a primal need... the desire for support in facing a life-altering circumstance. Our families have experienced cancer, heart problems and Alzheimers. In all cases, once the diagnosis was made, we went searching for answers. First we went looking for hope. We found medical sites offering cold facts. Occasionally we'd run across a forum or blog where someone had posted about a similar medical situation, but there was little in the way of day-to-day insights to help us deal with the challenges these changes force. It's was discouraging. We felt helpless... and alone.
Nature Hates a Vacuum. We Found a Big One.
When our children were diagnosed with autism, our worlds were rocked again. There is no cure and causes remain hotly debated. Autism associations the world over have organized to find one or the other. The problem is, the 300,000 - 1.2 million that have been diagnosed with autism are desperately in need of information on "how to live" right now!
Today, it’s easy to find information about autism. A simple Google search produces hundreds of thousands of sites. But it’s been impossible to find one place where news, insights and tips, reports on new therapies and meds and hope for your child are reviewed, archived and passed on for the benefit of all… until now.
A New Definition for Hangout: “Communities that Care.”
Individuals in need - those suffering from or caring for family member with cancer, heart conditions, Alzheimers or autism - frequently search the web for news and other’s first-hand experiences that will assist them in living a full life. They seek to learn where to go for knowledgeable medical advice. They need to know what products and services work, based on experience. They seek the wisdom and companionship of others like them that could offer tips in overcoming the challenges of daily living.
They’re also looking for hope. We are humbly optimistic our first product offering - Autism Hangout - not only meets those and other critical needs, but establishes a benchmark for online social communities.
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Community Hangout's premise is simple...
To "transform individuals in need into communities of care."
And it can work for all communities where people seek knowledge and understanding.
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Community Hangouts Address Individual's Needs:
- Daily news of the latest developments
- Ongoing topical reports on key subjects
- Participant driven and supported forums/discussions
- Social interaction opportunities (direct and in-direct)
- Product/service reviews
- Jobs and training opportunities
- And the ability to survey the community for opinions
It works like this:
* All Community Hangouts offer relevant, timely community news and ongoing reports to help individuals in need “learn” of solutions to their issues.
* Each Hangout offers technological tools that enable ''sharing'' discussions (i.e. forums, product/service review sections) that encourage personal interaction (i.e. a member can create their own home page with a listing of interests, blogs, video postings and more).
* Similar technological tools are also in place inviting advertisers to interact first-hand with community members to either promote and enhance current product offerings or assist them in the development of new products (i.e advertisers can also build and maintain home pages with blogs, video postings, survey tools and more).
The Gestalt effect of “Learning and Sharing” with other community members and participating advertisers ultimately leads to a community member’s “Thriving.”
Community Hangouts Help Communities Help Themselves.
Community Hangouts are filled with news and the discussion of daily challenges and aspects of life with the condition around which the community gathers.
Social and outreach opportunities can be posted.
Products and services are also discussed and can be formally reviewed.
And training and job opportunities can be made available.
Autism Hangout.
Autism Hangout is the first Community Hangouts offering.
Click here to visit this community.
Comments from Autism Hangout members.
“It’s about time!! Finally, a place to go and learn about how I can live with my child’s autism”
- Theresa G., Minneapolis, MN
“I was lost. There was no place to go where I could talk to people about their experiences with autism. Now I have a group of peers that help me with my daily challenges.”
- Rachel C. Elko, MN
“Autism Hangout is a place I can go to find out what therapies and meds would work for my son’s condition. There ARE others out there facing what I am!”
- Rhonda P., Rosemount, MN
“My son is 18 and it’s time he moved out on his own. At Autism Hangout, I can speak with others like me across the country to see what options they are considering.”
- DeAnne P., Minneapolis, MN
"God bless you for getting the Autism Hangout started. I just now found out about it via the Banjo Hangout. My little brother is autistic. He's just now embarking on his first year after high school graduation. I can't wait to tell him and my mom about the Autism Hangout."
- Byran G., Springdale, AR
“Autismhangout.com is a one-stop resource for news and insights on living with autism.”
- Frank G., Minneapolis, MN
Advertisers tools: Talk to the people!
Advertisers and sponsors of Community Hangouts have never before been offered an opportunity to speak directly to a niche community about existing and future products. Click here to learn more.