Iron County is rural, with few opportunities for socialization or recreation. For adults with disabilities, that makes it hard to leave home and take part in community life.
As the only program of its kind in the area, Special Needs Are Awesome People (SNAAP) offers social, recreational, and educational activities for adults 18 and older with physical or mental disabilities in a safe, stigma-free setting. In spring 2025, with support from Superior Health Foundation, SNAAP set out to expand its activities, events, and promotion to grow membership from 14 to 20.
Members meet at the Windsor Center in Iron River for socializing, recreation, and arts and crafts, with cooking groups at a local church, Friday night card games, and weekend events. Members help choose their activities and help pay for them by making crafts to sell at community events and craft shows. They staff the booths themselves and talk with visitors about SNAAP.
Outings have expanded to include nature walks, fishing and boat trips, bowling, swimming, cookouts, and visits to Iron Mountain and Marquette. SNAAP grew to 24 members, surpassing its goal, and more community members are now volunteering. Rather than recruit directly, SNAAP grew by showing up, holding events and joining community gatherings that put members’ abilities, not disabilities, at the center.
Parents, guardians, and members report increased confidence and well-being. Some quieter members are more open with peers and the wider community, and a previously nonverbal member has begun speaking with other members. As SNAAP’s motto puts it: “Because we can.”
SHF awarded a $10,378 Spring Grant in 2025 to support this work.