Meet the Mentors

What is a Deaf/Hard of Hearing Mentor (HH)?

Did you know that Family Connections has Deaf Mentors to answer all your questions about being Deaf/Hard of Hearing? A Deaf/HH Mentor is different than a Parent Mentor. While Parent Mentors can share the knowledge they have gleaned from being a fellow parent on the hearing difference journey, a Deaf/HH Mentor can share their experiences growing up with a hearing difference and their insights as an adult who is Deaf/HH. Although today’s world is vastly different then it was 20+ years ago, Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals experience and view the world similarly, no matter what communication modality they utilize. Deaf/HH Mentors are available to assist you in answering any questions you may have about your child’s hearing loss and provide you with resources about Deaf Culture and the Deaf experience and can even teach your family some sign language. All of our mentors have specialized training and will support you in any and all communication and technology choices you make for your child. Ask your Parent Mentor today about setting up a meeting with one of our Deaf/HH Mentors.

Christine Roy
Christine was born hearing and a progressive hearing loss was diagnosed around age 4. She wore behind- the-ear hearing aids for most of her life along with developing her skill of listening and speaking until she became profoundly deaf and learned American Sign Language at the university where she studied to become a teacher of the deaf. Christine graduated from Bloomsburg University with her degrees in Elementary Education along with a Masters degree in Education of the Deaf. She has worked in various teaching positions, encompassing a wide range of experiences with children who are deaf along with developing her knowledge of and teaching American Sign Language. Christine was an advocate for the Deaf Community as a Case Manager for a non-profit organization for almost 9 years and joined Family Connections as a DHH Mentor in 2018. She worked as a Special Instructor for Early Intervention for families as well. With this combination of experience, she is able to work with families to expand their effectiveness with supporting their child in the very early years of their life (0-5). She works with both the infant-toddler and preschool age groups for Family Connections. She is delighted to be a role model for children and support families where they wish to go on their unique journey.
Jillian Thuringer
I am a deaf adult who originally hails from the lands of the Finger Lakes in NY. I was born near Philadelphia and moved to NY when I was 9 years old and got to experience the fun of living in an old farmhouse out in the country. I was not diagnosed with my hearing loss until I was almost 3 years old, and I’ve worn my hearing aids ever since! I am the only individual with hearing loss in my family and I grew up using listening and spoken language only. I was mainstreamed in Kindergarten after two years in early education at a special school for the deaf and continued being mainstreamed until I graduated high school! I knew not an ounce of sign language but had great accommodations such as note-taking, handouts, and wonderful friends and teachers who helped me out. My first encounter with the Deaf community was when I enrolled as a student at RIT/NTID in Rochester, NY. I had a blast learning American Sign Language on my own through courses, immersion in the Deaf community, and other ways. So much so that when I wanted to continue my education and involvement in the deaf and hard of hearing world, I enrolled to obtain my Masters in Deaf Education! I graduated in 2015 with my Master's and had my first job in Arizona. I lived and worked a variety of jobs in deaf education around the Phoenix metro area for a total of six years. I discovered my passion for Early Intervention as a Teacher of the Deaf alongside being a Deaf Mentor in 2018 and I’ve never looked back! When I’m not working, I spend my time with my husband and three cats or traveling to visit family, friends, and new adventures. I am currently fluent in American Sign Language and English and use both interchangeably every day and I love meeting new people and making connections that encourage growth, support, love, and kindness for each other!