Image Description: A group of 11 individuals are standing in front of frozen lake, all striking a pose. All individuals are wearing a solid colored hoodie with a dark ThinkSelf logo in the center and black pants.
“And it all starts within, because within is where all things begin.”
ThinkSelf Staff Retreat 2023
We drove up north, we ate delicious food, we connected with each other, and then we came home with a renewed sense of purpose and community. ThinkSelf begins the year with the idea of blooming where we are planted, refocusing on the treasure that is our individual self. Each staff member pledged to value themselves with the goal of enriching our community, because it all starts within.
2023 is going to be amazing – We look forward to having you all along for the ride!
Welcoming Heath Focken
Image Description: Heath, a white Dutch-American male-identifying person, is standing in front of a frozen lake during the “golden hour”/early sunset. Heath is wearing dark rimmed glasses, a solid colored hoodie with a dark ThinkSelf logo in the center, and has light brown medium length hair parted down the middle. Heath has a goatee, and they are smiling gently towards the camera.
ThinkSelf is thrilled to welcome Heath to our team. Heath joins us as a Learner Advocate who will work with participants to empower them to self-advocate and navigate the American System, such as Healthcare, Educational, and more. Heath believes in community and breaking down barriers for those and take down the disparities that deaf folks face on day to day basis. They came from Family Tree Clinic after two years advocating for folks in Healthcare.
Heath is a certificated Community Health Worker since May 2022. Heath graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a concentration in Deaf Studies. In their free time, they enjoy spending with their personal zoo of a dog, two cats, fish, shrimps and aquatic snails. Heath is adventurous and loves to travel to new places and check out local nature scenes! They feel this helps them provide better services because nature is one of best ways to keep focus and tools to succeed and lift others to where they need to go.
Welcome Heath, we cannot wait to see what you bring to our community in this new role!
Grand Opening: ThinkSelf Online Store
ThinkSelf is rolling out a fun endeavor to flex our creative muscles and get the community well-dressed and fashionable!
For $5.00 off, go here!
Hockey Anyone?
Join the Minnesota Wild Deaf and Hard of Hearing Hockey players, coaches, and volunteers for a Watch Party fundraiser on Friday February 24th from 5:30pm – 10:00pm at Thompson Hall. Root for the Wild as they play against the Toronto Maple Leafs, socialize, and learn about the program!
Questions? Email Belen at BelenVriezen@gmail.com.
Open to all ages – No charge to participate
The Minnesota Wild Deaf/HOH Hockey program is open to males and females of all ages with all levels of hearing loss. There is no charge to participate. However, all players should be registered with MN and USA Hockey. To ensure fair competition, players are divided into groups according to age and ability.
Games follow standard USA Hockey rules, but use nonverbal cues, including sign language, gestures and strobe lights, to indicate play stoppages and enable communication among players, coaches and referees.
A new program backed by a rich history
While it’s the newest addition to Minnesota Diversified Hockey, the Minnesota Wild Deaf/HOH Hockey program builds on a rich history dating back to the early 1900’s. The first games, known as the International Silent Games, were held in 1924 in Paris. Since then, Summer and Winter Games have been held with over 100 athletes competing.
As a member of USA Hockey, Deaf/HOH Hockey has seen growth across the county, welcoming new players to the sport as well as supporting Deaf athletes who play with their typical teams and associations to come together to participate in annual USA and Minnesota Hockey Festivals.
A mission to instill confidence and self-esteem
The power of hockey to transform lives has not changed over several decades. Today, as it did in those early years, the Minnesota Wild Deaf/HOH Hockey program equips participants to build confidence, self-esteem and valuable life skills.
Contact: Raimondo Fusco at Raimondo.fusco@amplifon.com/763-269-2825 or Pete Palmisano, pmpalmisano@comcast.net.
DSA and Advocacy
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Curt, who has a beard, glasses and a polo shirt, sits in front of a window with trees visible.
Transcript: ThinkSelf periodically sends out email announcements about events and other news. If you’re interested in getting on the list, type this address into your browser: eepurl.com/gjc2d5.
