EAI, a nonprofit mental health organization assisting those in the community with vocational rehabilitation and adult day-care needs, provides many opportunities for cognitively impaired adults to work in the community and engage others.

Carolyn Sloan, president and founder of EAI, believes that “every life holds value, regardless of location, age, gender or disability.”

“There is a plan and purpose for everyone,” she said. “Having a disability should never disqualify anyone from accessing every aspect of life.”

One way they do that is by helping to deliver meals to seniors in some Downriver communities.

“Our cognitively impaired participants provide meals to seniors through Meals on Wheels in the communities of Southgate, Taylor and Lincoln Park,” said Dr. Kevin Sloan, vice president/COO of EAI.

They also help pack the meals, which gives the participants purpose while also helping with their socialization.

“Any time they have the opportunity to do something in the community, they enjoy it,” Dr. Sloan said. “They are very social.”

EAI participants also help out at the Gleaners in Taylor one-to-two days a week.

“These opportunities help to sharpen their work habits, engage in a job or a task, and learn adult daily living skills as well,” Dr. Sloan said. “Our goal and intention are to make things as normalized as possible, so they get the same experience as anyone else.”

EAI, located at 23015 Ecorse Road in Taylor, is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (313) 291-2713, log onto eaicorp1.com or email info@eaicorp1.com.