October 24, 2025 • 8 mins
We spoke with Helen Taylor, Founder and President of The Social Chase, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading awareness of autism by hosting events that educate and empower individuals and families. We spoke about the Free to Be Art Exhibition at the Mattatuck Museum, as well as the upcoming first Social Chase Fundraiser Gala on November 20th.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guest today is Helen Taylor. She is founder and president
of the Social Chase, Inc.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Good morning, Good morning Allie. How are you doing today?
Speaker 1 (00:10):
I'm great. I'm so happy you're here. I love the
work that you do and you have some great events
coming up. But first let's tell people who is the
Social Chase and what does it do.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
So social change we are a nonprofit organization. We help
serve the neurodivergent communities as well as people with disabilities.
Our focus is on late teens to adults, basically more
on social activities because we saw that there weren't any
in our area and Waterbury, but we also expanded out
outside of Waterbre to Harvard and West Hartford and Walkit
(00:45):
and so we're just trying to fill a niche for
that age range from eighteen to adults, to provide them
some services, some social activities, some experiences, some some training
and we're one hundred percent volunteer organization and elaborate with
other organizations as well, just to bring some services and
some happiness to them. Yes, we also have we also
(01:09):
support the parents as well with a form and so
we're just really excited about the things that we're doing
to make a difference in the community.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
And you are And how long ago did this begin.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
We've been doing this for years. So as you know,
my husband and I we started the Autism Speaks Walk
and so we've been part of the community and trying
to do different things. So basically we became a nonprofit
couple of years ago.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
And you have a child who is on the spectrum.
So if anybody gets it, it's you.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yes, our son, Chase Taylor. He's just turned twenty six
on Tuesday. Wow. Yeah, you know, we're so very Proudlem.
He is on the autism spectrum and you know, right
now some are challenges that he's not very independent, so
those are some of the things that we're working on.
And he's very introverted and some of the communication skills
are challenging for him. But he's a children's book author,
(01:57):
so you know, we went into something that he loved
and we know he loved drawing and letters, and so
he's a publisher of five children's books.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Wow, God bless him. He's so cute. He's so sweet. Ye,
he really is. You have two events that are coming up.
Let's talk about the first one free to be our exhibition.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yes, I'm super excited about our exhibition. This is our
second year collaborating with the Mathok Museum. They have been
so wonderful. So we have over thirty art work on
display from people on the Automus spectrum. We have our
own little room and it's there from all the way
up to January fourth, So you know, this is their
(02:42):
vision of what they feel is artwork and all the
social chasers who submitted things and people all throughout the
whole state. I even have a social chase from California
who submitted her artwork to be up there, and so
I please encourage people to go see it. When I
was there, people were walking in and they're saying all
they see in there when they walk in there is happiness. Wow.
(03:03):
And I see all the colors. I'm like, you know,
you're right, you know, because I'm just doing things. So
I'm like, you're right, and so people are like, wow,
we just see like colors. We just see happiness in
this room. So if you want to feel good, please
go to the Magic Museum and look at our display.
We're really excited about it and.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
That's going on from now till January fourth, correct and
then November twentieth it's the Free to Be Me Fundraiser
concert gala.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yes, this is our very first gala. I'm so excited
and just a big fundraiser. It's one of the things
that we have. Chris Big Dog Davis, he's a two
time Grammar and now I'm mad a producer. He has
twenty number one Billboard hits and he's going to be
performing for us. He says he's going to do a
special concert for us. I'm looking forward to it. And
then l djact Taylor. He's going to be spending some songs,
(03:53):
so we could do some dancing before the end of
the night. But one of the things that I'm really
most proud of is that we're gonna be honoring individuals
with our first Social Chase Care Award, and we're we're
starting from the foundation of the Social Chase. So the
foundation of the Social Chase is Team Chasing friends when
we did the Autum Speak Walk and raised a lot
of money for their community, and so I looked at
(04:16):
from how we started and how we became the Social Chase.
So number one, we're definitely honoring my sister in law
Sharon Taylor, because she was our caretaker. Without her, we
wouldn't be doing half the things that we're doing right now.
She at birthday three to come to her house and
she's just an amazing person. And then a memorial and
Maria and Dubuque. She's from Carmedy and Torrance. At the time,
(04:40):
she was a big supporter of us. When we needed
someone locally to be a sponsor, she stepped in when
we needed to use a building on that weekend. She said,
come to our office. We'll open the office for you.
So I'm just so appreciative of her. And of course
the City of Warner Ferry right now, Pardaruski, and you
(05:00):
know Mayor O'Leary. He was the first person to be
our biggest supporter, not only for the walk, but also
for the autism educational awareness format that we put on
free which we're going to be celebrating our fifth year
on August eighteenth of the next year, and that is
a free form for parents, for teachers to come there
and get educated about the autism community. And it's just
(05:21):
it's a really amazing day. Also with Transmission ever source Transmission,
when I was struggling trying to get sponsorships, struggling trying
to get our T shirts designed and the T shirts
paid for it. You know, it's a lot of money
and it was a challenge, but ever source transmission came
through for us every year. So Pharaoh Macar is going
(05:43):
to be accepting that award that day. And of course
Chief bern Riddick, he was the chief and at the
Seated of whatever at the time, fit supported with the
police department to make sure that everyone who came from
all over the state, all over New England and even
from New York and Pennsylvania came to the they all
felt safe with the presence of our police department because
(06:04):
our police department was very welcoming and very friendly and
made them feel that they belong. So I'm just appreciative
of all those five people. There's always more, but those
are our first five Social Chase Care honourees and I'm
very very happy.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
So it's November twentieth. It's the Free to Be Met
fundraiser concert gala at Labella Vista and water, very delicious food.
It's from six to ten. There's music, there's celebration, community
advocacy for neurodivergent teens and adults and the proceeds will
go to the Social Chase correct, So how can people
(06:41):
make a donation if they like to, You.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Could always go to Thesocial Chase dot org on our website.
We have a donation button there as well as if
you want to specifically donate to the gala, they click
on the Galla page and it'll bring you to the
sponsorship page or ad page you want to play the
ad or you want to attribute to somebody through our
app book, which is going to be also available electronically.
(07:07):
It's easy to do. So. We are also having a
collaboration with Post University. We're having a Free to Be
game Night. So we're really excited to bring that back
because we're going to have game night with the from
these students from Post University. That's going to be on Wednesday,
October twenty ninth from six thirty to eight pm. There
is no fee for that, so that's another thing that
(07:29):
I'm so excited that's coming back because we're having a
narrow divergent with the Narrow Diverse and having a good
time in this playing games wonderful.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
So again, that gala is November twentieth and the Free
to Be art exhibition is at the Matatuck Museum now
through January fourth. For all your information, go to the
Social Chase dot org. I'm speaking with Alan Taylor, Founder
and President of the Social Chase, Inc. Thank you so
much for being here today and for all of the
amazing work that you do.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Well, I want to thank you for the amazing work
that you do, that you continually support our community, and
all the fantastic things that you're doing on the station.
So we appreciate you so much
Good morning, Thank you for listening to Community Access. My
guest today is Helen Taylor. She is founder and president
of the Social Chase, Inc.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
Good morning, Good morning Allie. How are you doing today?
Speaker 1 (00:10):
I'm great. I'm so happy you're here. I love the
work that you do and you have some great events
coming up. But first let's tell people who is the
Social Chase and what does it do.
Speaker 2 (00:21):
So social change we are a nonprofit organization. We help
serve the neurodivergent communities as well as people with disabilities.
Our focus is on late teens to adults, basically more
on social activities because we saw that there weren't any
in our area and Waterbury, but we also expanded out
outside of Waterbre to Harvard and West Hartford and Walkit
(00:45):
and so we're just trying to fill a niche for
that age range from eighteen to adults, to provide them
some services, some social activities, some experiences, some some training
and we're one hundred percent volunteer organization and elaborate with
other organizations as well, just to bring some services and
some happiness to them. Yes, we also have we also
(01:09):
support the parents as well with a form and so
we're just really excited about the things that we're doing
to make a difference in the community.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
And you are And how long ago did this begin.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
We've been doing this for years. So as you know,
my husband and I we started the Autism Speaks Walk
and so we've been part of the community and trying
to do different things. So basically we became a nonprofit
couple of years ago.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
And you have a child who is on the spectrum.
So if anybody gets it, it's you.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yes, our son, Chase Taylor. He's just turned twenty six
on Tuesday. Wow. Yeah, you know, we're so very Proudlem.
He is on the autism spectrum and you know, right
now some are challenges that he's not very independent, so
those are some of the things that we're working on.
And he's very introverted and some of the communication skills
are challenging for him. But he's a children's book author,
(01:57):
so you know, we went into something that he loved
and we know he loved drawing and letters, and so
he's a publisher of five children's books.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Wow, God bless him. He's so cute. He's so sweet. Ye,
he really is. You have two events that are coming up.
Let's talk about the first one free to be our exhibition.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yes, I'm super excited about our exhibition. This is our
second year collaborating with the Mathok Museum. They have been
so wonderful. So we have over thirty art work on
display from people on the Automus spectrum. We have our
own little room and it's there from all the way
up to January fourth, So you know, this is their
(02:42):
vision of what they feel is artwork and all the
social chasers who submitted things and people all throughout the
whole state. I even have a social chase from California
who submitted her artwork to be up there, and so
I please encourage people to go see it. When I
was there, people were walking in and they're saying all
they see in there when they walk in there is happiness. Wow.
(03:03):
And I see all the colors. I'm like, you know,
you're right, you know, because I'm just doing things. So
I'm like, you're right, and so people are like, wow,
we just see like colors. We just see happiness in
this room. So if you want to feel good, please
go to the Magic Museum and look at our display.
We're really excited about it and.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
That's going on from now till January fourth, correct and
then November twentieth it's the Free to Be Me Fundraiser
concert gala.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Yes, this is our very first gala. I'm so excited
and just a big fundraiser. It's one of the things
that we have. Chris Big Dog Davis, he's a two
time Grammar and now I'm mad a producer. He has
twenty number one Billboard hits and he's going to be
performing for us. He says he's going to do a
special concert for us. I'm looking forward to it. And
then l djact Taylor. He's going to be spending some songs,
(03:53):
so we could do some dancing before the end of
the night. But one of the things that I'm really
most proud of is that we're gonna be honoring individuals
with our first Social Chase Care Award, and we're we're
starting from the foundation of the Social Chase. So the
foundation of the Social Chase is Team Chasing friends when
we did the Autum Speak Walk and raised a lot
of money for their community, and so I looked at
(04:16):
from how we started and how we became the Social Chase.
So number one, we're definitely honoring my sister in law
Sharon Taylor, because she was our caretaker. Without her, we
wouldn't be doing half the things that we're doing right now.
She at birthday three to come to her house and
she's just an amazing person. And then a memorial and
Maria and Dubuque. She's from Carmedy and Torrance. At the time,
(04:40):
she was a big supporter of us. When we needed
someone locally to be a sponsor, she stepped in when
we needed to use a building on that weekend. She said,
come to our office. We'll open the office for you.
So I'm just so appreciative of her. And of course
the City of Warner Ferry right now, Pardaruski, and you
(05:00):
know Mayor O'Leary. He was the first person to be
our biggest supporter, not only for the walk, but also
for the autism educational awareness format that we put on
free which we're going to be celebrating our fifth year
on August eighteenth of the next year, and that is
a free form for parents, for teachers to come there
and get educated about the autism community. And it's just
(05:21):
it's a really amazing day. Also with Transmission ever source Transmission,
when I was struggling trying to get sponsorships, struggling trying
to get our T shirts designed and the T shirts
paid for it. You know, it's a lot of money
and it was a challenge, but ever source transmission came
through for us every year. So Pharaoh Macar is going
(05:43):
to be accepting that award that day. And of course
Chief bern Riddick, he was the chief and at the
Seated of whatever at the time, fit supported with the
police department to make sure that everyone who came from
all over the state, all over New England and even
from New York and Pennsylvania came to the they all
felt safe with the presence of our police department because
(06:04):
our police department was very welcoming and very friendly and
made them feel that they belong. So I'm just appreciative
of all those five people. There's always more, but those
are our first five Social Chase Care honourees and I'm
very very happy.
Speaker 1 (06:19):
So it's November twentieth. It's the Free to Be Met
fundraiser concert gala at Labella Vista and water, very delicious food.
It's from six to ten. There's music, there's celebration, community
advocacy for neurodivergent teens and adults and the proceeds will
go to the Social Chase correct, So how can people
(06:41):
make a donation if they like to, You.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Could always go to Thesocial Chase dot org on our website.
We have a donation button there as well as if
you want to specifically donate to the gala, they click
on the Galla page and it'll bring you to the
sponsorship page or ad page you want to play the
ad or you want to attribute to somebody through our
app book, which is going to be also available electronically.
(07:07):
It's easy to do. So. We are also having a
collaboration with Post University. We're having a Free to Be
game Night. So we're really excited to bring that back
because we're going to have game night with the from
these students from Post University. That's going to be on Wednesday,
October twenty ninth from six thirty to eight pm. There
is no fee for that, so that's another thing that
(07:29):
I'm so excited that's coming back because we're having a
narrow divergent with the Narrow Diverse and having a good
time in this playing games wonderful.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
So again, that gala is November twentieth and the Free
to Be art exhibition is at the Matatuck Museum now
through January fourth. For all your information, go to the
Social Chase dot org. I'm speaking with Alan Taylor, Founder
and President of the Social Chase, Inc. Thank you so
much for being here today and for all of the
amazing work that you do.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Well, I want to thank you for the amazing work
that you do, that you continually support our community, and
all the fantastic things that you're doing on the station.
So we appreciate you so much
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