Dear Members & FriendsPlease click the link below for the video about Tri-State Youth & Family Gathering which was held on August 16th. Also please read below.
Tri-State Youth & Family Gathering 2025 – Event Recap!
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf (Ewing, NJ)
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Indoor/Outdoor – Shine or Rain!
What an amazing day it was at the Tri-State Youth & Family Gathering (TSYFG) — bringing together Deaf and Hard of Hearing children (ages 0–21), their siblings, and families from Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey for a day of connection, learning, and fun!
Highlights of the Day
- Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks set the tone for a day of collaboration and community.
- Early Childhood (0–4): Sensory bins, fruit matching, and hands-on learning.
- Elementary (5–11): Creative art sessions with flowers and slime activities.
- Middle & High School (12–21): Self-advocacy workshop encouraging leadership and confidence.
- Parent Session: Personal stories shared by families navigating Deaf and Hard of Hearing journeys.
- Lunch: Variety of pizzas, wraps, and snacks, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.
- Afternoon Activities: Ice cube painting, coloring, and interactive family fun.
- Panel Discussion: Deaf role models shared their experiences with youth and parents.
- Closing Ceremony: Remarks, raffle, Rita’s Italian Ice, and event survey.
Huge Thanks To Our Amazing Team
Tri-State Leaders:
Octavio Cuenca Maldonado (NJ) Co-Host and Sponsorship Coordinator
Darlene Sarnouski (NJ) Co-Host and Interpreter Coordinator
Annmarie Buraczeski (NJ) Volunteer Coordinator (NJAD President)
Feta Fernsler (DE) IT and Survey (DAD President)
Kathie Gray-Plotkin (PA) Workshop Coordinator (GPC of PSAD President)
Youth Activities Team:
Heather Osowski (NJ) – Youth Activity Co-Coordinator, Campaign for Language and Literacy Excellence
Tiffany Narciso (NJ) – Youth Activity Co-Coordinator
Kim Arrigo (NJ) – Self-Advocacy Presenter
Moderator: Alli Bloom (PA)
Presenters: Connie Wallace (PA), Elisabeth Morrison (DE), Stephanie Renart (NJ)
Panelists: Ayanna Brown (DE), Christopher Johnson (PA), Debra Fleetwood (NJ), Michael Papili (DE) and Vishu Kharbanda (PA)
Hosted By
- Delaware Association of the Deaf (DAD)
- New Jersey Association of the Deaf (NJAD)
- Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Pennsylvania State Association of the Deaf (PSAD)
In Partnership With Campaign for Language & Literacy Excellence (CLLE)
- Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf (MKSD)
Special Thanks To Our Sponsors & Donors
Sponsors: Deaf Fest • ASL Interpreter Referral Service, Inc. • DHCC • New Jersey Relay • PSAD • NJRID • ZP Better Together
Donors: ASL Matters • Rita’s • Herr’s • Shore Consulting Training & Equipment • Starbucks Coffee • Styles & Stuff
We appreciate every volunteer, family, interpreter, and community member who made this day possible.
Your energy, smiles, and participation made it a true celebration of unity and empowerment across our Tri-State Deaf community.#
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Statewide Meeting (Dover – Nov. 15, 2025)
Community Health Fair (Ocean View – Oct. 4, 2025)
From DDSC:
Beebe Healthcare is hosting a community health fair this Saturday October 4th in Ocean View from 9 00 am to 2 00 pm. The location is at the Hope Center of Mariners Bethel Church, 81 Central Avenue. There will be two interpreters. They will provide screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, bone density and BMI. There will be stroke awareness education and flu vaccines. DDSC will have a table along with other community resources.
Hope to see you there!