ESCANABA - CHAT Inc. (Community Handicap Awareness Team) is a non-profit organization made up of people who have developmental disabilities and of people who do not have developmental disabilities.
Each month the CHAT Board of Directors plans a social activity for the group of 44 members. They request funds from community organizations or ask them to host a monthly social activity. They also request chaperones or companions from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
The RSVP volunteers are asked to interact socially and to provide physical assistance to those requiring assistance with wheel chairs, outerwear, filling their plates with food, cutting up their food.
They encourage participation in the planned activity such as singing, dancing, bowling, playing Bingo, choosing prizes, etc.
With the help of the senior volunteers, the board can be sure each CHAT member has quality time and the aid of someone who truly cares.
At times one who comes as a volunteer enjoys the group so much that they become a CHAT?member, in time run for the board, and is then committed to the organizational structure.