We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Helen Taylor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Helen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The following are all worthwhile endeavors, I can’t pick one. The idea come to me to fill a void in our underserved urban community. While I had the means (car) to bring our son Chase to different social programs, I knew others did not have this same opportunity. Due to my volunteer involvement in the community, I knew there was a serious void of services for teens to young adults on the autism spectrum in our urban community. Why did I as a mother, wife and full time employee start the Social Chase, it’s simple…happiness. Our son Chase who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3.5 years old is my inspiration to make a difference in the world. Trying to find social activities was a challenge. I contacted Special Olympics and inquire if he can play in thes sport. At that time, Special Olympics focused on the intellectual disability but in the end they included individuals on the autism spectrum I was the coach all year long for over 10 years for Waterbury PAL Special Olympics in the sports of volleyball, softball, basketball, and track and field. However, everyone on the spectrum was not interested in sports and Chase really did not engage with others since he is a quiet introvert; he did enjoy playing sports and being a Global Messenger..
I started seeking other social programs and found a few which were over 30 minutes from home to organizations in suburbs after I drove 45 minutes home from work. I would invite his peers from high school to pile in my car so they can have the same experiences but it became overwhelming and I knew there were so many others in our City who could benefit. I started The Social Chase group. The meaning we are chasing after the individuals to become social, chasing after the neurotypical to accept their differences, chasing for them to be happy, chasing to help them survive the world.
Due to my experience and being well-known of advocating for autism for over 10 years (at that time), and the co-founder with my husband, Alan, of the Western Connecticut Autism Speaks Walk raising over $1 million and an Autism Speaks Ambassador successfully advocating for the Autism Cares Act to pass. I also encouraged Autism Speaks to give back to community by collaborating with me for two years to provide a free QUALITY Autism Education and Awareness Forum for FREE which would normally cost $80 per person. One of my many worthwhile endeavors. I am planning another one 2024. Why? People send me messages and shared how much the forum positively impacted their live when they had nowhere to go to help their loved one on the spectrum. In addition, I volunteer as a certified state of Connecticut trainer for autism wandering and acceptance and mental health for police officers and cadets.
I have a positive reputation in the community. I was able to collaborate with my alma mater with quite a bit of effort, Post University, to have social game nights with the college athletes. The Social Chasers and the athletes loved it. The athletes would compete who was going to volunteer with our group. We also started “Free to Be Me” activities such as providing cooking classes with a local restaurant, Hockey Games and UCONN basketball games in a company suite (no judgement from sensory issues, stemming, etc. since it’s private), minor league baseball games, bowling, go kart racing, baking classes, candy making classes, paint classes, bingo, volunteering, participating in walks, etc. This was successful without funds because the rule was the parents had to remain with their Social Chaser unless they made arrangements with me. We cannot afford to hire staff at all. However, I am passionate that you should not have to be rich to receive quality services! So, I find ways.
In addition, I wanted to pay it forward and spread the stories, journeys and knowledge of autism. I started a public television show where my crew and hosts are on the spectrum or have a sibling on the spectrum, called The Social Chase Show/Podcast (see our episodes on www.thesocialchase.org). I was able to speak with the Skye Cable XIII to train my crew to run the studio board and cameras and it has been a success.
When the pandemic hit, The Social Chasers were having a tough time including depression. They were missing bowling and having bingo and game nights at Post University. So, I purchased inflatable bowling game and we met outside and had fun bowling. I also started virtual bingo with flavor (music!). The still love playing virtual bingo which I run twice a month with prizes ($10-$35) from Amazon, fudge from a local company, gift certificates, which was mostly donated by me with a couple of parents and the coach from Post donating some funds. I was donating over $2000 of my own money for the bingo prizes. I was fine running this program as a philanthropist but people advised me it was time to start a non-profit due to my big visions for these young adults.
Yes, The Social Chasers have made the local television news! Spreading awareness and acceptance.
Why do I do this? I work full time, which is a 90 minute round trip commute on good day, support Chase with his published Letter Critters Book series (www.thelettercritters.com), support my husband’s jazz endeavors (www.actjams.com), drive Chase 30 minutes to his classes to college, drive him 40 minutes in the opposite direction to his graphic design internship, help parents for free when schools are giving them an unnecessary difficult time.
Why? Because each time I have an event The Social Chasers say, “I am happy!” Enough said, right? I have to continue bring them happiness in our “Free to Be Me” events and more. Many of them don’t have anything else because there are not any services due to their I.Q. being too high. Some are just staying home watching YouTube or playing video games, and sadly depression. Many do not have the opportunity to even join social groups due to insurance not covering the costs. So, simply, I am here for them! I am excited that I am making a difference and providing smiles and great experiences!
Helen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My goodness, I think I said it all previously.
The Social Chase group was established in 2018 by Helen Taylor, MBA at that time her son was a teenager on the autism spectrum. Helen recognized a neglect of social events and activities for the teens to young adults on the autism spectrum in the urban community and decided to remedy that gap. The Social Chase assists late teens to young adults on the autism spectrum and special needs (the neurodivergent community) in the underserved and uninformed community. The Social Chase is currently serving 10-20 neurodivergent and racially-diverse individuals from 13 years old to 35 years old (depending on activity).
Organizing fun events for our late teens to young adults on the spectrum and with special needs led by parent support. Spreading awareness and acceptance of those living with autism and special needs, the neurodivergent community.
The Social Chase is a program started by Helen Taylor, a mom, to organize fun events for late teens to young adults on the spectrum and with special abilities. It is a parent support group; parents must remain with The Social Chasers during the events. We have “Free to Be Me” events at the bowling alley, go kart racing, board game nights, hockey games, and The Art of Yum cooking classes (www.theartofyum.com)
Helen also started The Social Chase program on Skye Cable XIII as a platform to share about living with autism and special needs and abilities, social challenges, as well as provide educational information. Hosts Ali and Chase live on the spectrum. The crew are local teenagers who received video/audio certification from Skye Cable Summer Bootcamp and a young man on the spectrum. Note: The Skye Cable XIII had technical difficuties with the microphone but the conversations were more important than the noise. 🙂
Our loved one’s on the autism spectrum and special needs do not have the same opportunities/programs to socialize and be accepted. While I would bring Chase (sometimes his friends too)to different municipalities such as New Haven, Plainville, Wallingford, Cheshire, Torrington, etc. for social activities, I knew there were youth in the Waterbury area that would enjoy having fun with others. Alan and I even contacted local non-profit organizations to start a social program but to no avail.
So, we planned to start a non-profit organization, The Social Chase, about 10 years ago due to the lack of programs; however, my schedule was just too much.
I figured I don’t need to be a non-profit organization, I just needed to determine a way to use existing resources. I contacted Autism Speaks and Post University to collaborate on being part of the local community. I also contacted the local restaurant, The Art of Yum and Hardcore Cupcakes to have events for our youth and the concept was positively accepted.
Of course, the parents being part of this journey made The Social Chase social group possible.
However, due to my extended collaboration with other agencies and the university, it was important to become a non-profit organization which is managed by a volunteer board and founder/president.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I am very transparent, passionate and honest. Everyone knows my heart is to help others, period. I could have just focused on our son Chase but knew there were so many other young people who did not have a warrior mom. So, it’s not just about our son Chase, we are a village of love.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
We have a private Facebook page as well as a public Facebook page for The Social Chase, Inc. We also have our own Website and sell merchandise and on the location public television station, Skye Cable XIII. Most of our members are from word of mouth from other Social Chasers. We even have Social Chasers playing bingo from Canada, Texas, New Mexico and California! I also share great resources from other organizations on our Facebook pages. I send emails and created an Event Calendar on our Website. Yes, in addition, I even have to send texts. We also have a Social Chase merchandise store for people to purchase items and provide as bingo gifts. They wear the merchandise with great pride! Brand Loyalty…they know I love and care for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thesociachase.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesocialchaseshow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SocialChase
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/thesocialchase
Image Credits
I am the photographer of these photos .HTaylorPhoto, Helen Taylor Photography (volunteer photography for non-profit organizations)