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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 6pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery

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Worcester, MA
Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery

Our mission is to partner with Deaf people to develop innovative addiction & mental health resources. Our mission at the Deaf YES!

Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery is to partner with the Deaf community to develop innovative addiction and mental health resources that are accessible, useful, and freely available to Deaf sign language users. We value key principles of servant leadership to support this mission – choosing ethics over profit, prioritizing people over tasks, empowering others before seeking personal gain, balancing focus with flexibility, and leading with gratitude. Our work within the Deaf community has only been successful because of our community engagement approaches. Our Center’s clinical services and research studies are co-led by Deaf professionals, hearing professionals, and Deaf laypersons, ensuring that the work we do is relevant and accessible to our population of focus. In addition to this community co-leadership model, we continuously infuse the voice of Deaf community members into our work via ongoing qualitative interviews, focus groups, and community forums. At Deaf YES!, we strive to create an inclusive and empowering environment. We embrace diversity in all forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, disability, age, and socioeconomic background. Honoring and celebrating the rich tapestry of identities, experiences, and perspectives of Deaf people allows us to build stronger connections and work together to overcome barriers. We firmly believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are essential cornerstones for fostering innovation, creativity, and collaboration, and promoting positive change. Our commitment to self-reflection is unwavering, and we continuously seek to learn, grow, and improve as an organization. We invite individuals, organizations, and communities to join us on this journey toward empowerment, recovery, and a more inclusive world for Deaf people.

12/22/2025

DeafYES 2025 YEARBOOK!

From the bottom of our hearts, DeafYES Co-Directors Melissa Anderson and Alexander Wilkins would like to take a moment this holiday season to thank our team members for all of the hard work, thoughtfulness, and care invested in our projects this year. We couldn't do it without you and we are better because of you!!!

Signs of Safety team members = Gabby Humlicek, Naima Johnson, Rhys McGovern, Felicia McGinnis, Kayla Meza, Tam Schmidt, and intern Carmelita Rose.

Deaf MET team members = Aileen Aldalur Urmc, Jessica Carter, Mikah Covelli, Makoto Ikegami, Erika Lohmiller, and Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel.

Statewide Needs Assessment team members = Lionel Frechette, Laura Peters, Felicia McGinnis (again!), and intern Hannah Ahearn.

We love you all and are so grateful to be working by your side!

💜💜💜

Image Description:
[Image with dark teal background that reads, "DeafYES! 2025 YEARBOOK." 16 headshots are shown; underneath each headshot is the individual's name and their 2025 yearbook superlative. From top to bottom, left to right:

Melissa Anderson: Most likely to laugh at their own jokes.
Alex Wilkins: Most likely to roll eyes at Melissa's jokes.
Aileen Aldalur: Most likely to be a pickleball champion.
Jess Carter: Most likely to win the "gun show," with icons of big bicep muscles.
Mikah Covelli: Most likely to make a spreadsheet for fun.
Lionel Frechette: Most likely to lead a protest.
Gabby Humlicek: Most likely to brighten your day.
Makoto Ikegami: Most likely to become a detective.
Naima Johnson: Most likely to be Instagram famous.
Erika Lohmiller: Most likely to be in Australia.
Rhys McGovern: Most likely to save the planet.
Felicia McGinnis: Most likely to dance in a Beyonce music video.
Kayla Meza: Most likely to become a travel blogger.
Laura Peters: Most likely to become a motivational speaker.
Kendra Timko-Hochkeppel: Most likely to be camping.
Tam Schmidt: Most likely to open their own yoga studio.]

12/19/2025

MY WHY- FELICIA 💛
📚"If done well, I believe research offers the best guidance for achieving long-lasting, effective change.”

🥰"This is why I feel fortunate to be part of a team that not only prioritizes good science, but also deep community engagement.”

Transcript and video description in the comments.

12/18/2025

Holidays can trigger a lot of feelings – nervousness, sadness, frustration, hurt, or even anger – especially when you’re surrounded by non-signing, hearing family at the dinner table and feel deeply isolated.

How do you cope? Some people may turn to alcohol, but there are healthier ways to manage stress.

Developed by the community for the community, Deaf YES: Center for Deaf Empowerment and Recovery is conducting a study to support Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing individuals experiencing trauma-related stress and alcohol use.

Want to possibly learn healthy ways to cope this holiday season? Contact signsofsafety@umassmed.edu for more info.

[VD: The post features a video thumbnail with a blue overlay. Centered on the image is a rose-colored text bubble with white lettering that reads “Holiday Isolation.” In the video, Bee, a white q***r person with long, curly hair, is wearing a dark gray denim top and blue–light brown framed glasses.

Transcript is available in the comments section.]

12/16/2025

Some members of the DeafYES team recently filmed a vodcast!

A vodcast = a podcast you can watch! 🙌🏻

In this 'Science Engaged' podcast, Alexander Wilkins, Melissa Anderson, and Timothy Riker discussed what researchers can learn from the Deaf community, and how trust, follow-through, and authentic engagement lead to better science. Topics discussed include historical harm, broken trust, accountability, and practical ways researchers can do better when working with the Deaf community.

Stay tuned for when the podcast will be released in 2026! 👀

Image description: a snapshot of a recorded video call with seven people on the screen.

12/09/2025

•Did you know 25% of su***des involves alcohol intoxication?

•Alcohol can amplify hopelessness and worsen mental health especially during a crisis. Alcohol can affect judgment and make people act quickly without thinking clearly.

•This is why we need to talk about these risks because awareness is prevention.

• text, call, or VP 988 if you are experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You are not alone!
�•DeafYES and Deaf LEAD are joining together to break the silence and share FAST FACTS about alcohol and su***de because knowledge is power.

Reel description in comments.

12/04/2025

COMMUNITY UPDATE - SIGNS OF SAFETY STUDY
AS OF DECEMBER 2025!!

32 participants enrolled, 112 more to go!!

Keep an eye out for ongoing updates about our progress with the Signs of Safety research study!

Transcript:
It is December already! Here is the community update on the Signs of Safety study, which will continue until 2028. We have numbers ready to share! 100 people have completed the screening survey. 32 people have joined the study. It is so exciting to see our recruitment numbers increasing! Remember, our goal is to hit 144 participate before 2028. If you'd like more information or any questions about our Signs of Study study, please share your comments! See you all next month. Stay safe and stay warm!

Video Description:
A brown haired woman wearing clear glasses and a green long sleeve knitted shirt is indoors with a plain background. She looks up at the colorful light string stickers above her for a few seconds at the beginning of the video.

12/02/2025

MY WHY- MELISSA 🫶🏻

💜 'I was taking ASL 1 class. I wasn't fluent in ASL and was still a new, awkward signer. I tried to interact with and support that survivor, and tried to prompt the shelter to hire an interpreter, but the shelter didn't take action fast enough. The survivor felt scared, alone, and couldn't communicate with anyone.'

✨ 'That moment shifted my goal to wanting to work in education to wanting to work with trauma and domestic violence in the Deaf community, and increase access to therapy services for Deaf people'

Transcript and Video description in comments

11/25/2025

The holidays can bring joy, but they can also be heavy. If you’re navigating recovery or healing from trauma, remember: you’re allowed to protect your peace. New traditions, leaving early, saying no, skipping events, taking space… it’s all valid. Prioritize your safety, sobriety, and emotional well-being!

[Video description]: the opening is a cover of various colored snowflakes at the top and bottom and text in red that says 'Gentle Reminders' with text in forest green 'for the holidays'. Jamie and Gabby alternate sharing words of validation and reminders, starting with Jamie. Jamie has her brown hair down and is wearing a black 3/4 sleeved shirt. She is standing in front of a white wall. Gabby has her long blonde hair up in a pony tail, wearing a dark reddish pink long sleeved top, and is sitting in a gray chair in front of a white wall.

[Transcript in the comments]

11/24/2025

Blackout Wednesday? What’s That?

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, known as Blackout Wednesday, is one of the biggest drinking nights of the year. Holidays can bring up anxiety, stress, and complicated family dynamics... and drinking might feel like a way to “let it go.” But does it really? 🤔

Blackout Wednesday is also one of the deadliest times for drunk driving. During Thanksgiving week, 34% of fatal crashes involve alcohol.

There is support available. The DeafYES! Center for Deaf Empowerment & Recovery is conducting a study for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing individuals experiencing trauma-related stress and alcohol use. Their research explores healthier, Deaf-accessible ways to manage stress and trauma.

Interested in possibly learning healthier ways to cope this holiday season?
📧 Contact: signsofsafety@umassmed.edu

[VD: The video thumbnail features a text bubble in the center that reads ‘Blackout Wednesday’ in white text on a rose-colored background. In the video, a white nonbinary person (Bee) is signing to the camera. Bee has brown curly hair worn down, and is wearing pants, a forest green sweater, and two gold chain necklaces.

Transcript: Blackout Wednesday? What’s that?

It’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving...
one of the biggest drinking nights of the year.

Holidays bring up all kinds of feelings;
nervousness, sadness, disappointment, even anger.
I get that. I used to feel anxious around my family with
different values, beliefs, and language access.

I used to drink on Blackout Wednesday to numb my feelings, to “prepare” for the holidays. It doesn’t have to be that way.

People drink to “let it go.”
But does it really let it go?

Want to cope differently this year?

The DeafYES! Center for Deaf Empowerment & Recovery is conducting a study for Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, and Hard of Hearing individuals experiencing trauma-related stress and alcohol use. Their research explores healthier, Deaf-accessible ways to manage stress and trauma.

Interested? Contact signsofsafety@umassmed.edu
for more info.]

11/19/2025

From October 24 to 26, I spent the weekend in Deaf-centered mental health training. We moved through grounding, intention, and deep learning about the systems that impact our community every day. Topics included intersectionality, language deprivation, DeafBlind mental health, Deaf perspectives, QPR, and su***de severity rating skills.

This training strengthened the healing work I share through Heal with Naima and deepened the purpose behind Deaf Mental Health Hub. As someone passionate about resource sharing and creating access, weekends like this remind me why this work matters. I left feeling grounded, inspired, and committed to bringing these tools back to our community.

VD: A collection of clips showing Naima traveling to the three-day Deaf mental health training. The video opens with scenes of Naima walking through the airport, riding the train, and arriving at the training site. Throughout the video, short text-on-screen phrases appear to highlight each session and moment.

Clips shift to different presenters signing at the front of the room during various sessions, including grounding practices, discussions about systems and oppression, intersectionality, language deprivation, DeafBlind mental health, and Deaf perspectives. Short clips show QPR training and su***de severity rating practice in small groups. Naima appears journaling, signing reflections, participating in group activities, and moving between sessions. The final clips show Naima heading home, capturing quiet moments of travel and reflection.

11/18/2025

NEW RESEARCH STUDY OPPORTUNITY! SHARING FOR Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Center and Innivee Strategies! More research opportunities, the better!

Innivee Strategies has partnered with Gallaudet University’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Center to advance research that will improve accessible mental health tools with and for the Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing community.

Participants (age 7+, Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, living with hearing loss, or Late Deafened) can earn $20 per completed survey.

Learn about the partnership ➜ https://inniveestrategies.com/innivee-strategies-partners-with-gallaudet-university-on-mental-health-research/

Start the screening ➜ https://gallaudet.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_25LjSNDo0rfktO6

[Image Description: A clean, high-contrast flyer with a deep blue header showing two gold stick-figure children holding hands. Large white headline: “Are you Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, or Late-Deafened — and age 7 or older?” Below, bold gold text invites people to “JOIN OUR RESEARCH TO HELP DEVELOP ACCESSIBLE MENTAL HEALTH TOOLS FOR THE DHH COMMUNITY!” A QR code sits centered on a white background with three gold arrows pointing up at it. Big blue callout near the bottom reads: “TAKE THE SURVEY. GET $20.” with “BE PART OF THE CHANGE.” beneath it. Footer includes logos for Gallaudet University, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Center, and Innivee Strategies, plus a small note that the study has Gallaudet University IRB approval.

11/14/2025

FUN FACT FRIDAY!
We meet weekly on Fridays! The DeafYES team discussed our Signs of Safety research study's current status and planned how to share FAQs about the study with the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind community today. Can't you tell we are happy it's Friday?!

Image description: [a screenshot of a Zoom meeting with seven individuals smiling and signing a word. From left to right words signed,
TAM : 'Friday'
FELICIA: 'Happy'
MELISSA: 'Friday'
NAIMA: 'Friday'
GABBY: 'Friday'
CARMELITA: 'Friday'
RHYS: 'Friday' ]

Address

100 Century Drive
Worcester, MA
01606

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17746704486

Website

https://deafyes.org/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/deafyes

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