Gilda’s Club Minnesota: Building Connection and Community
One of the greatest privileges of my role is having a front-row seat to the many ways our community at Gilda’s Club grows, evolves, and connects. I get to witness something truly special: individuals showing up as they are, and finding space where they are accepted, supported, and understood.
Leading several support groups has allowed me to see this transformation firsthand. I’ve watched new members join with hesitation, only to be warmly embraced by others who understand their journey. Over time, those same members often “graduate” from support groups – yet their connection to the community doesn’t end there. They stay engaged, giving back in new ways and continuing to build the fabric of Gilda’s Club beyond just one program or phase.
Our programs often spark the beginning of smaller, tight-knit sub-communities. One wonderful example is the Monday evening yoga group. Week after week, the same faces return – not just for the benefits of movement and mindfulness, but for the sense of togetherness that has formed. Watching these bonds deepen has been a joy, and a powerful reminder of the lasting relationships that grow from shared experiences.
These stories affirm something important: we can belong to multiple communities, each one meeting us in different ways and at different moments in our lives. Whether through a support group, a wellness class, or a volunteer team, Gilda’s Club fosters an environment where these overlapping connections can flourish.
It’s in these spaces – big and small – that the heart of Gilda’s Club truly beats: people coming together, supporting one another, and building something that lasts.
We’re excited to have several new offerings on our autumn program calendar! Here are just a few of our new additions:
- Laugh for the Health of It – In-person with Patty Nelson
- First Wednesday of each month from 10:30 – 11:30 am
- Experience the healing power of laughter in this uplifting session! You’ll learn the science behind why laughter is so good for your body, mind, and mood, and explore simple laughter exercises, breathing techniques, and playful ways to connect.
- Silent Reading Society – In person with Renee Anderson
- Second Thursday of each month from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
- Join the GCMN Silent Book Club and enjoy reading in a peaceful environment, followed by social time to discuss your reading.
- Still Here – In person with GCMN Volunteers
- Every other Wednesday from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
- Cancer may no longer be the main challenge – but its effects often linger long after treatment ends. Whether you’re facing physical changes, emotional ups and downs, or questions about what’s next, you’re not alone. Find support in a welcoming, peer-led space for those navigating life beyond a cancer diagnosis. Together, participants will explore the challenges, celebrate the progress, and support one another through the ongoing journey of healing and rediscovery.
- Tending the Spirit: Grief and Loss – Online with Nina Guertin
- Wednesday, October 22 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
- This workshop offers a compassionate space to explore the experiences of loss and life transitions, both of which can bring about grief in unique and unexpected ways. Through guided conversation, reflection, and shared dialogue, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how grief shows up in different forms and how to navigate it with resilience and support.
Sign up for these upcoming program offerings on our virtual program offerings page and in-person program offerings page, in your class registration account, or call us at 612-227-2147.
With peace and gratitude,
Bridget Eickhoff, MA, LPCC
Program Director
612-227-2147 office | 952-767-7625 direct
10560 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55305
