Posts tagged shep
SHEP’s Connection Corner - October Newsletter
SHEP’s Connection Corner - October Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner - October Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

October 2025

Bam, Came October!

Where is the year going? It’s October already?! We told you it was coming, and...drumroll...it’s here! We have been working with the first responders in Oklahoma and we are officially announcing that we have a cleet certified course available! We are listed on the Cleet online catalogue for state certification. Please spread the word to the first responders you know. This fall our cleet class will be October 11th for 8 credit hours. For this program we have an open position for a First Responder Manager. Check the SHEP website for details on this position.

We heard you! We have an answer! Starting October 7th, we will have a free sign language class every other Tuesday. Come and learn sign language with us! Casssandra, our CEO and president, will be leading the class. It will be a laid back learning environment and you will surely leave knowing new words to sign each time. The first class will be Tuesday, October 7th at the Del City Library. Location is pending for the next upcoming classes. No need to register, just meet us there!

Don’t get spooked because you don’t know sign language! We got you! We have SSP positions that don’t require any sign, some that require basic sign like the alphabet, and some that you can show off your signing skills. We are hiring, and we need SSPs (support service providers). Check our website for details. and apply today! Being an SSP is very meaningful. The SSP is the guide that interprets the world around the DB client. We need you!

Time for treats and good apple cider. But during Halloween you’ll get scared by a spider. NOw is the time where the beach is left to slumber. We grab our candy and blankets to snuggle in under.


Poem of the month

Time for treats and good apple cider. But during Halloween you’ll get scared by a spider. Now is the time where the beach is left to slumber. We grab our candy and blankets to snuggle in under.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesoctober, shep, deafblind, shepokc, oklahoma city, ssp, hiring, dbComment
SHEP’s Connection Corner - August Newsletter
SHEP’s Connection Corner - August Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

August 2025

It Got us Again!

The storm that is! It got us. We had to move our July social from Scissortail Park to Starbucks due to the rainstorm. Oh, but it didn’t rain on our parade! We still had quite a time with Iamdb with cafe drinks as our companions.

Vicky, our operation’s manager, got in a lot of sign language practice. When the tables turned and Vicky was in the spotlight, it turned the heat up a few notches. Haha! This was a beautiful merge with the hearing world and DeafBlind culture.

Each person took turns signing phrases for Vicky to learn and sign back. There were the phrases: I need help, How are you?, found eggs, You work good, you are trouble, and where’s your SSP?

No worries! They took it easy on her! Bring your friends and family to the events! We are all part of the community! We love opportunities to spread awarenEss and communication.

August is the month the kids are getting ready for school! Do you have a back to school routine? How about those expenses?

We’d like to take a poll and post the results in next month’s newsletter. Some public schools require uniforms. What is your vote; Yes, i prefer uniforms or No, I’m against making students where uniforms to school? Email us your answer at humanresources@shep-ok.org. We can’t wait to receive your responses!

Well to the adult learners out there, we haven’t forgotten about you! It’s “back to school for everyone” time! Let us know how we can support you in your needs for shopping, appointments; really anything that is necessary for the running of your household. If we aren’t able to provide an ssp for you , we could definitely help you find these resources.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesshep, deafblind, okc, sign language, ssps, part time, asl, scripture, deaf, tulsaComment
SHEP’s Connection Corner - March Newsletter
SHEP’s Connection Corner - March Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

March 2025

Forward, March!

Welcome to Oklahoma!

That weather was a doozy and then to double it with that weird strand of whatever illness cocktail was going around. We pray everyone has been protected, is healed, and is well. Speaking of illness cocktails, How about those allergies?

One really neat fact is, honey actually helps alleviate symptoms of seasonal allergies. (If you’re not allergic to honey, of course.)

The key is the bees. The local bees make the local honey. The pollen on their bodies when they go from flower to flower falls into their honey making process, thus anyone consuming the honey is actually consuming antibodies. Nature is so cool!

Share with us your allergy remedies. It may help someone ❤️

February was lovely nonetheless, even if it only felt like a week. Here we are marching to the beat of...well...march!

in February we loved our a game day event. It was a great time and friendly competition. It’s fun to get out of the house and hang out with friends.

Forward, March! This month we will invite you to join us on People with disabilities day. be sure to check out the details below!

who likes green and a good time? I sure did! But, did you know that’s not really what saint Patrick’s day is about? It’s actually a Christian holiday and a very special day in ireland. St. Patrick was a former slave that escaped and became a priest. he then spread christianity to the multitudes throughout ireland. He even created a celtic cross amongst other things to spread the word of God. Because of his love for god,they called him a saint.

Ireland observes the day of his death as a holy day, St. Patrick’s day. Throughout the years tales have been spun and we see leprechauns protecting gold and drinking beer and wearing green to avoid getting pinched. I do admit finding a four leaf clover is always awesome!

What's going on?

People with disabilities awareness day

When: Noon to 4:30 pm on March 11

Where: Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Be seen, wear green.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesshep, deafblind, okc, ssp, lucky, cowboy, museum, fun, socialComment
SHEP’s Connection Corner - February Newsletter
SHEP’s Connection Corner - February Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

February 2025

GIVE ME THE SCOOP

We’re already Here!

So no one caught that the last newsletter still said 2024? Hahaha! What did 2024 mean to you? Are there things you are carrying over into 2025? The Bible, particularly in Isaiah 43:18-19, encourages letting go of old things and embracing new by saying, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.".

Sometimes changes come through like a storm. it’s how you react to the storm. How do you navigate when pressure is applied? new members join SHEP regularly for help in their storms. We don’t just help through your s.o.s call (By the way, SOS began as a morse code distress call meaning “save our souls” or “save our ship”. let’s put some praise on it and declare “savior oh savior”!) We also nurture involvement and inclusivity in the community.

With the cold and storms in january we had to postpone our january game day. we were really looking to see who was going to be the victor. Have no fear! Another game day is near. we are having games with sweeties for our february event, saturday the 15th. it will be early enough in the day where you will still have time to go out with your ultimate sweetheart if that’s your heart’s desire. It’s fun to gather with shep friends as well to spend time and show love.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesshep, newsletter, okc, deafblind, ssp, february, sweetheartComment
SHEP’s Connection Corner - January Newsletter
SHEP’s Connection Corner - January Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

January 2024

GIVE ME THE SCOOP

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

God doesn’t give us resolutions. We get revelations. Something to think about... What have you reflected on and how are you taking that and moving forward? Greatness is in you and with you, And we are blessed to be a part of your circle.

Here is our prayer for you to kick off the year.

Lord,

We pray love, wellness, prosperity, and love over each and every reader of this newsletter and any connections they have with anyone. We pray for the hands, minds, and hearts of everyone, from the leader of the country, authorities,and loved ones, debt collectors, and anyone that runs across our minds. Lord, we come to you with thankfulness in our hearts for the gifts you bestow on us daily. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Let’s get this year started on the right foot. I heard a joke that right before the clock strikes midnight on New Years, if you lift your left leg and only stand on your right leg, then you’re guaranteed to start the year off on the right foot. Either way, we’re in it to win it, and on the right foot at that!

We “sleighed” December! Our annual Christmas party was nothing short of fun and laughter. Congratulations to the winners of the Musical Popcorn game! It was a game where when the music stopped and you were the one holding the wrapped gift (kind of passed around like hot potato) then you were the one that had 3 seconds to blurt out a holiday themed word that no one else has already said. You can imagine the hilarity. You just had to have Been there!

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesshep, deafblind, db, okc, tulsa, december, christmas, party, osu, library, yukon, giftsComment
SHEP Connection Corner - December Newsletter
SHEP Connection Corner - December Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

December 2024

GIVE ME THE SCOOP

The Cheerful Giver

Tis The Season Of Giving

Joy In This Time

YAY Friendsgiving was a blast. With new faces and some from the past.

We had crafts and fun and always great food, An amazing Friendsgiving will lighten your mood.

Next up we will have some Christmas fun to share with you and everyone!

It’s time to ring and jingle those bells, Sending Christmas cards and letters through mail.

Come spend time with us and have a fun time, and let’s get together for CHRISTMAS TIME. This year we will be rocking around the Christmas tree at the Yukon public library (details below).

Speaking of the observation of Jesus’ birthday, Happy, Happy birthday! Let’s shout out to Amanda, our very own SSP manager! Her special day is December 17th! Share your birthday with us so we can shout you out, too.

We have a GroupMe messaging group for all SSP to get daily updated information. If there’s an SSP not connected on GroupMe, please get in touch with Amanda the SSP manager. We are stronger together! We also encourage everyone to connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

Calling all SSPs! This Christmas Party would be a great opportunity to collect some needed CEU hours. If you are needing to know your CEU balance, please contact Amanda for details.

We’re so excited to kick off our annual clothing drive to donate to the homeless shelter (details below)!

This Clothing drive would be an amazing opportunity to give back and to clean out those closets with gently used women and men’s clothing and new unopened toys.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesshep, shepokc, christmas, giver, season, xmas, deafblind, db, deaf, blind, christmas party, jesus house, donateComment
SHEP Connection Corner - November Newsletter
SHEP Connection Corner - November Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

GIVE ME THE SCOOP!

November 2024

Tornadoes, Shelters, Or Rakes?

Did you miss it?

The camp experience at Spring Valley Ranch was extraordinary! Thank you for all of you! We teamed with Jeri’s House this year and we cut many a rugs with all the dancing and game playing. Aww...you missed it? If that’s you, have no fear! We will have camp again in fall of 2026! We’re already on the hunt for the next camp site.

Good ole Oklahoma. As I write this, we are under a tornado watch. It has been incredibly windy, blowing my patio furniture off my porch for the last three days. Be sure to stay in the know of the weather, especially surrounding plans needing a SSP. It may feel like spring so far this fall, but when the cold front comes it will surely come like a bowling ball ready for a strike. Be ready to cover outdoor water faucets and spouts. Rest assured we are mindful to schedule our events indoors.

Any hot chocolate drinkers out there? We are having our annual Thankful For Friends, or commonly known as Friendsgiving, event this month. We will supply refreshments and enjoyment. We just need one more ingredient...YOU! Please see details below so you can make your plans to be there.

Great news! We have had Support Service Providers (SSPs) in the OKC area move due to promotions and opportunities To God be the glory! We have availability for training! What is all this talk about SSPs? You will be trained to be the eyes and ears of the DeafBlind person you are assisting. They do all the work! You interpret the world around them as they navigate. It’s the gift of independent living and you get paid to do it. Knowing sign language is a big plus! Yes, even finger spelling. Those ABCs come in handy!

SHEP is hosting sign language classes for an independent living facility in Choctaw this month! Email us with your interest in classes and we can make it happen! So many things in the works! Stay connected on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesshep, shepokc, deafblind, deaf, blind, oklahoma, november, ssp, asl classes, eventsComment
SHEP Connection Corner - October Newsletter
SHEP Connection Corner - October Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

Give Me The Scoop!

SHEP Connection Corner - October Newsletter

It’s Officially Fall!

Okay, okay... so we have still had some hot days but at least the three digit weather is gone.

Did you make it to the September IamDB? Get there! Fun is a given but we have also been learning braille. Thanks to our very own Gene sharing your knowledge of the machines you use. Gadgets have come a looooong way!

At the very end of the September was Robin White’s birthday! It’s not too late to go on our Facebook page and wish Robin a very merry birthday. Yes, merry! It’s almost that time ya’ll! Wait... just wait! We have something fantastic planned for October. A hoedown! Have you ever been to a hoedown? Well this one is one to etch in memory lane. Come and experience the fun! Fliers have gone out, but if you have questions please reach out to us. We are inviting Tulsa participants and arranging a van to pick up at Jeri’s House.

Limited seating so jump on this quick to get transportation to the hoedown before we fill up!

Psalm 85:12: "The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest." Harvest time is near! What does that mean to you? Not just gathering fruits and vegetables. The harvest of Kingdom work! What you sow will be evident in your harvest. We are thankful blessed to be able to provide for this magnificent community. Your community! Our community! We will never cease praying over you all.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesshep, deafblind, okc, tulsa, oklahoma, ocober, october, hope ranch, valley, connectionComment
SHEP Connection Corner - September Newsletter
SHEP Connection Corner - September Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

Give Me The Scoop! September 2024

Are you chanting, “Camp! Camp!”?

We are! Camp is fast approaching. September 10th is the deadline to register and submit payment. Here is the link to registration: https://www.shep-ok.org/oklahoma-db-camp

People from different parts of Oklahoma and surrounding states will be in attendance! This also marks the first time Jeri’s House is cohosting with us, Wait until you see the gear all the registrants get!

Relief is near...ish

How have you been keeping cool? Has your electric bill skyrocketed this summer? I actually called my provider and I saved more this summer than last summer but it felt so much hotter this summer! Using good practices like thermal blackout curtains can be a game changer that benefits all year round.

Football mania. The tie is upon us. Do you keep score? You’re going to learn about so many stats, teams, and scores as the season carries along. With the cooler weather coming comes the beloved football season. The Olympics has had us on the edge of our seats as the USA has been raking in the medals. Now we ask, who is your favorite football team? IamDB is working on methods to get more braille machines out to you so you can enjoy the game or even your favorite show. Those game sportscasters really keep up the momentum giving us all the details of what is going on on that field Perhaps some of you are athletes! We’d love to hear about it! Be sure to tune in for the next IamDB experience.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” What does that mean to you? Don’t grow weary, dear friends, dear family. SHEP has been partnering with the police and fire departments to implement new policies for the community!

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Oklahoma NewsHuman ResourcesSpring Valley Ranchoklahoma, deafblind, shep, iamdb, camp, 2024, sspComment
SHEP CONNECTION CORNER - September Newsletter
SHEP CONNECTION CORNER - September Newsletter

SHEP’s Connection Corner

Okay, Summer, It’s time to get out of here!

We have a new SSP certified from the Tulsa area! Welcome KJ!

We made it through the heatwave!

Whew wee! It has been a scorcher. I hope you all have been staying hydrated. Heat exhaustion is a real thing. If you are going to be outside getting some sun, safety is always a primary concern. The good news is the heat is coming to an end! By the way, do you try to recycle? Little things help save the environment one water bottle at a time. This year has been flying by! Where has time gone? We are fast approaching the holidays and the time for family traditions. What tradition do you have? Please tell us! We want to hear them! The picture in this newsletter is of Cassandra at an African birthday celebration. It was a magnificent cultural event. Next time you see Cassandra, ask her all about it!

As the season changes and the air begins to smell different and carry a bit of chill in the air, we switch out our icee drinks for chili bowls. We have some exciting things planned for the fall! Check the calendar for upcoming events.

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”-Habakkuk 2:3

We pray over you, giving thanks to be among you in each season. We pray for prosperity and joy in all your hearts and your homes.

Don’t forget to send us an email with your birthday, etc.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesnewsletter, september, 2023, social, deafblind, shep, ssp, deafblinf, deaf, hoh, emberComment
SHEP CONNECTION CORNER - June 2023 Newsletter
SHEP CONNECTION CORNER - June 2023 Newsletter

What’s the weather like while you’re reading this? Yep, It’s been all over the place!

Strong and Growing!

We have 1 new SSPs in the OKC area!

Welcome Lee!

 

Rain or Shine, we’re shining!

It’s June already? Wow! It seems we were just saying Happy New Year. A happy new year it has been, indeed! You guys, we are now officially members of the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce! Are you smiling? Are you jumping up and down? We sure did and are! We had a ribbon cutting ceremony last month and boy oh boy, what a blessing to be in this place. We are having a fundraiser night on June 20th. That’s a taco Tuesday from 5pm to 9om! Tell everyone you know and come out and eat!

Don’t forget, IamDB is in full effect. We are here to help train you on equipment that will help you evermore in your home. I don’t know about you, but my home is my favorite place to be. Let’s accommodate you there! So much is unfolding.

Psssst...Guess what?...The staff is learning sign language. You can help teach us, too! Have any feedback, suggestions, or questions? Reach out to us. We love hearing from you!

Due to popular requests, we now release two months of our activity schedule at a time so you will see we have June and July posted to help you plan ahead. 

We have a lot of events coming up! Be sure to check the calendar. See below for some that are coming up.

Don’t forget! Send us an email telling us your birthday, anniversary, or any special event so we can shout you out.

It was raining and pouring, but no old man was snoring! We’re here for fun!

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesnewsletter, blog, shep, deafblinf, deafblind, deaf, blind, spring, 2023, june, summerComment
SHEP CONNECTION CORNER - May 2023 Newsletter
SHEP CONNECTION CORNER - May 2023 Newsletter

Steady & Growing!

We have 1 new SSP in the OKC area!

Spread the word and Keep requesting SSPs!

It has been pouring!

Both literally and figuratively, the rain has been pouring and the blessings have, too! Last month we got a grant from the Junior Service League in Midwest City, we are now members of the Midwest City Chamber of Commerce, and….WE GOT A VAN! So much more to come! It’s because of you and the community that it is all possible. “What is in your heart is the overflow of how you live your life.” I just heard that this week. Think about it. And guess what? SHEP has a heart the size of the galaxy for the community.

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Oklahoma NewsHuman Resourcesshep, newsletter, connection, may, deafblind, van, social, db, iamdb, mwc, midwest city, league, vision, club, changesComment