POMONA – Marissa Hacker of Voorhees believes that friendship is the greatest gift in the world. As a sophomore in high school, it was this belief that fueled her to launch her own nonprofit organization Fantastic Friends. Now just 19, she has watched Fantastic Friends rapidly expand and thrive. Once a small group of 30 members, the organization boasts over 500 participants from all over South Jersey.
Hacker’s twin brother Matthew has autism. As most twins do, they share a special bond and have many common interests. However, throughout their childhood, Hacker couldn’t help but notice that Matthew’s peers were uncomfortable conversing with him.
“He was always into different things, for example, remembering dates on a calendar and knowing everything about Disney,” she explains. “Was it the tone of his voice? Maybe. Was it because he asked a lot of questions? Could be.”
After observing the lonely divide between the neuro-typical and special-needs communities, Hacker made it a lifelong goal to bridge the gap. She took on the task of educating people about autism, setting out to provide her brother and others with special needs a safe place where they could interact and connect with other young people.
“It bothered me so much to see this population alone and wanting to have friends,” Hacker says.
Today Fantastic Friends has been named a Top 100 special-needs group. With fun-filled social events like Disney Prom, Pajama Brunch, and Valentine’s Day Jam, the organization has given those with special needs an outlet that encourages social interaction, and true to its name, it has also been very successful in aiding members in creating long-lasting friendships.
In addition to its social events, Fantastic Friends aims to teach college students about autism and special needs. Hacker believes that Fantastic Friends has a broader goal that extends outside of the organization’s walls, which is to foster a greater understanding and acceptance of those with special needs throughout the community.
If that understanding were to proliferate worldwide, it would be life-changing for Hacker’s brother and others with autism.
Today, Fantastic Friends continues to grow. Most recently, the organization added a new, startup chapter Fantastic Friends of Stockton University. That chapter will host monthly events on and off campus. It will be open to residents in Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean counties.
The first event “Striking up New Friends,” is to take place at Strike Zone Lanes bowling alley in Egg Harbor Township Nov. 21 from 2-4 p.m. The event is open to children and young adults with special needs between the ages of 13-25. A fee will include pizza, games, soda, and a promise of friendship and laughter.
Fantastic Friends’ chapter is also planning to host a holiday party with Santa and Hanukkah Harry in December.
Hacker, who recently received the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award, which recognizes and supports young, community-conscious individuals, has no plans to stop expanding the organization.
“I really want to spread my organization internationally. I want to start chapters of Fantastic Friends across the world. I want to provide different services for people with special needs and their families,” she says.
As for what’s in the future for Matthew himself?
“I tell Matthew that he can do everything his heart desires. He has so much potential, so much more than he might even realize. He’s going to go incredibly far,” Hacker says. “I’m so incredibly proud of him.”
For information on Fantastic Friends and its new chapter, visit “Fantastic Friends of Stockton University” on Facebook.
To contact Kyli Wolfson, email kwolfson@cmcherald.com.
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