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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