If you often use SSH, I basically found Pidgin in ASCII:

http://developer.pidgin.im/

Pop open your terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install finch

You could alternatively use Yum to install this package.  Once installed, simply setup the chat program like you would pidgin.  for GChat and Facebook, you’ll have to manually add the server settings.  If you’re resourceful enough they’re pretty easy to find on Google. 

Use Finch with screen to get even more functionality out of your ssh session. 

http://www.gnu.org/software/screen/

sudo apt-get install screen

I recommend perusing the manual for screen as it is going to be a little different than you’re used to.