Cosmos Social Club

What is the Cosmos Club?

“True friends are like stars; you can only recognize them when it’s dark around you.” – Bob Marley

“Social networks play an integral role in providing both tangible and emotional support and can come from a variety of sources, Being socially connected and receiving social support have been tied to improved physical and mental health outcomes particularly among those with disabilities.”- Stats Canada, Reports on Disability and Accessibility in Canada.

For many young adults living with exceptionalities, their friendships and social connections have been built around their connections to peers at school. However, when formal education is complete for an individual, it leaves a large gap in their life, and missing is the important aspect of community.

At Bloom Skills Centre we want to help eliminate potential barriers and we offer a more accessible, inclusive solution to our community members living with exceptionalities. We recognize the importance of social skills and activities and that is why we have created the Cosmos Club, a social group to have fun and build friendships. By working in partnership with the City of Kingston and other local organizations, we are able to utilize all the phenomenal resources including services and facilities that Kingston has to offer.

“The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself.”- Carl Sagan

Cosmos Club is now in its third year! We’ve learned that for people who find social situations challenging, supervision and activities aren’t enough on their own—social skills need to be taught, practiced, and celebrated. That’s why Cosmos Club pairs intentional skill-building with real-world practice.

Each month, Occupational Therapy students from Queen’s University lead an engaging lesson focused on one social skill. The remaining events that month offer fun, low-pressure opportunities to practice that skill in real-life settings.

Cosmos Club is free to join. We encourage participants to attend the monthly skill-building session so they can make the most of the month’s activities and strengthen their social confidence together. Skill-building sessions take place on the first Monday of every month at 6:00 p.m.

To sign up for Cosmos Club, please see our registration page for details.

May Theme: Starting Conversations & Small Talk

This month focuses on learning how to start conversations, ask open-ended questions, and show genuine interest in others. Participants practice building comfort and confidence when connecting with new people.

June Theme: Active Listening & Showing Interest

Participants learn how to listen with attention and empathy—using eye contact, nodding, and follow-up questions to show they care about what others are saying.

July Theme: Making Plans & Following Through

This cycle builds planning and responsibility skills. Participants learn how to invite others to events, confirm details, and follow through on commitments, strengthening trust and reliability in friendships.

August Theme: Understanding Social Boundaries & Consent

The focus this month is on personal space, comfort levels, and respecting others’ boundaries. Participants explore how to recognize non-verbal cues and communicate their own needs clearly and respectfully.

September Theme: Giving & Receiving Compliments

Participants practice expressing appreciation and encouragement appropriately, while also learning how to accept compliments with confidence and gratitude.

October Theme: Handling Disagreements & Conflict Resolution

This month teaches healthy ways to manage conflict—using “I” statements, staying calm, and finding compromises that keep relationships positive and respectful.

November Theme: Expressing Feelings & Emotional Awareness

Participants learn to recognize, label, and express their own emotions while developing empathy for how others feel. The focus is on emotional self-awareness and healthy communication.

December Theme: Social Etiquette in Different Settings

This cycle explores how to adapt communication and behavior to different social settings—from casual gatherings to more formal situations—while showing respect and confidence in each.

January Theme: Digital Communication & Social Media Etiquette

Participants discuss how to communicate safely and respectfully online, understand tone in text messages, and manage social media in positive, balanced ways.

February Theme: Dating & Romantic Relationships

The focus this month is on understanding healthy relationships, setting boundaries, and communicating interest or rejection in kind, respectful ways.

March Theme: Supporting Friends & Being a Good Friend

Participants reflect on what makes a good friend—offering support, celebrating others’ successes, and being reliable when someone needs help.

April Theme: Building Self-Confidence in Social Situations

In the final cycle, participants strengthen their self-esteem and assertiveness, learning to express themselves authentically and feel confident in any social setting.