Kate's Place provides a home for individuals with special needs

MOORESTOWN, N.J. -- JoAnne McNamee started Kate's Place about 15 years ago after her daughter, Kate, graduated from high school.

JoAnne realized that Kate and her friends didn't have a place to socialize and be active after that.

She decided that she would create a safe space for the special needs community and name it, Kate's Place. The group meets twice per week.

Each meeting is packed full of fun and games. The games that JoAnne and her many volunteers created are designed to keep everyone engaged and active.

The crowd favorite is when Nick Perdunn comes to teach them karate.

"Karate teaches a lot of different things like confidence, ability and respect," says McNamee.

This past week, the group graduated up to a new belt and held a ceremony at Amerikick Martial arts studio where Perdunn is the owner.

Both volunteers and the members say Kate's Place is special, it is home to them.

"I like going to Kate's Place, it's a place where I can just be me," says Tim Downes, a member.