Memories – Skilled Connections

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Memories
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Our volunteers are creating memories that matter

skilledconnections

We impact the lives of children with disabilities in Jamaica through building awareness, seminars, & service trips to connect families to therapists.

Interested in our next trip? Join us April 14th at

Interested in our next trip? Join us April 14th at 7pm EST. Zoom link in bio. #internationaloccupationaltherapy #slplife #serveinjamaica #volunteerinjamaica

🌴 Ready to make a difference as a therapist? Co

🌴 Ready to make a difference as a therapist? Come to Jamaica with SC🇯🇲 Join us July 7-13, 2025! 🌟 Grow, collaborate, and immerse in island life. ⏳ Deadline: April 30, 2025. 📧 skilledconnectionsja@gmail.com | 🌐 www.skilledconnections.org #OTLife #slplife #ptlife #VolunteerAbroad

Posted @withregram • @deltatherapist Dr. Michell

Posted @withregram • @deltatherapist Dr. Michelle Tomlinson, an Occupational Therapist, and Dennette Vassell, a Speech-Language Pathologist—are the co-founders of @skilledconnections. Years ago, while working together in Early Intervention, they discovered a shared vision to use their unique gifts, talents, and skills to serve children in Jamaica 🇯🇲. In 2019, an invitation from the Kiwanis Club of Santa Cruz in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, sparked the creation of Skilled Connections' inaugural mission trip.

As a board member, working alongside them has allowed me to fulfill a collective lifelong passion: providing skilled therapy services to children and families in our homeland. Despite their reserved, humble, and understated nature, Michelle and Dennette have successfully carried out mission visits on a shoestring budget, relying entirely on volunteer efforts from both the U.S. 🇺🇸 and Jamaica 🇯🇲. Their tireless dedication and selflessness are genuinely remarkable.

This #BlackHistoryMonth, it feels only right to honor and pay respect to my dear friends and colleagues, Michelle and Dennette. Their work is a testament to the power of vision, service, and community. 💐💐💐💐💐

**Using my platform to give 💐 to Black women for their unapologetic spirit and invaluable contributions to the culture.
#blackwomenblackwomen #BHM2025
#OccupationalSpeechTherapyServices
#ServiceMissionTrips #SkilledConnectionsInc

The Skilled Connections Inc. teams works tirelessl

The Skilled Connections Inc. teams works tirelessly to develop effective, focused, and meaningful service trips to Jamaica.
Our ultimate goal is to support the families of children with special needs. We understand that we can support our families best by developing a service trip for the summer that will maximize the efforts of our volunteers and apply our resources efficiently. We will continue our volunteer recruitments in the upcoming months and we are excited to be in Jamaica in July 2025 for our rescheduled trip. Please follow us and stay up to date on interest meetings and updates trip dates. - much love

Happy New Year from Skilled Connections! In 2024 w

Happy New Year from Skilled Connections! In 2024 we serviced, celebrated, and treated so many families in Jamaica. 2025 will be bigger and better with your help. Our first trip is coming in March! Stay tuned for updates and ways to be apart of the change. 2025 we are ready for you! 🇯🇲
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#skilledconnections #happynewyear #charity #nonprofit #nonprofitorganization #speechlanguagepathology #occupationaltherapy

The Skilled Connections Model is based on an inter

The Skilled Connections Model is based on an interdisciplinary approach where Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Social Workers collaborate to design play-based learning opportunities and provide parent coaching. #otsofinstagram #ptsofinstagram #slpsofinstagram #travelslp #travelpt #travelot #volunteerspeechlanguagepatholgist #volunteeroccupationaltherapist #volunteerphysicaltherapist #speechtherapyinjamaica #occupationaltheraptinjamaica #physicaltherapyinjamaica

Dr. Tara Marsh is a world traveling Physical Thera

Dr. Tara Marsh is a world traveling Physical Therapist. Tara claims Oklahoma City and the DFW metroplex as home. She is currently living in Atlanta, Georgia running a small private practice with emphasis on early childhood intervention. Tara also contracts with the Atlanta Public School District. Tara received her Doctor of Science in Physical Therapy from Alabama State University. She has practiced as a physical therapist since August 2003. Tara has worked in several settings in her career, with her initial start in an outpatient orthopedic setting. Tara continued her PT journey practicing in the following settings; school districts (Texas and Georgia), army base in Fort Steward as lead PT in the Warrior in Transition Battalion, aquatic therapy supervisor, private practice Lead Therapist and in acute medicine. Tara’s main passion in the therapy field continues to be with the pediatric population with the emphasis of early childhood intervention. She is currently working closely with family and services in the Clarkston area of Atlanta, which includes a refugee resettlement program. She finds joy with supporting families and providing resources for optimal health. Tara is interested in all things that include movement and wellness including aquatics aerobics, strength training and yoga. #sclinkup24 #ptsofinstagram #volunteerpt #travelpt

The Skilled Connections Model is based on an inter

The Skilled Connections Model is based on an interdisciplinary approach where Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Social Workers collaborate to design play-based learning opportunities and provide parent coaching. #otsofinstagram #ptsofinstagram #socialworkersofinstagram #slpsofinstagram #travelslp #travelpt #travelot #travelsocialwork #volunteerspeechlanguagepatholgist #volunteeroccupationaltherapist #volunteerphysicaltherapist #volunteersocialworker #speechtherapyinjamaica #occupationaltheraptinjamaica #socialworkinjamaica #physicaltherapyinjamaica

Denique Reid, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is an ASHA Certified

Denique Reid, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is an ASHA Certified Speech Language Pathologist and mentor with over eight years of experience assessing, treating, and diagnosing various communication disorders. She currently works with school-aged children and teenagers, grades K-12. She also supervises Speech Language Pathology Assistants and Clinical Practicum students. Growing up in Jamaica inspired her passion and dedication to utilize her speech therapy skills to serve the Jamaican community. She is honored and excited to join the Skilled Connections team. #sinkup24 #slpsofinstagram #travelslp #volunteerspeechlanguagepatholgist #speechtherapyinjamaica

Sharing our amazing Social Worker as she leads a s

Sharing our amazing Social Worker as she leads a self care parent support session in Jamaica. The Skilled Connections Model is based on an interdisciplinary approach where Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Social Workers collaborate to design play-based learning opportunities and provide parent coaching and teacher training. #socialworkersofinstagram #travelsocialworker #volunteersocialworker #socialworkinjamaica

Monique J. Dunn is a licensed Speech-Language Path

Monique J. Dunn is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, philanthropist, and advocate for early childhood development. She has extensive experience working as a traveling SLP across various settings and specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating communication deficits, including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, and developmental delays. Monique's methods have led to significant improvements in her clients' academic and social outcomes. She incorporates art into therapy, blending creativity with analytical processes to foster communication advancements. Monique also mentors young girls, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and build successful futures. Her hobbies include beekeeping, ceramics, painting, photography, metalsmithing, and traveling. #sclinkup24 #slpsofinstagram #volunteerslp #travelslp #speechtherapyinjamaica

Sharing two of our amazing Speech-Language Patholo

Sharing two of our amazing Speech-Language Pathologists volunteering in Jamaica. The Skilled Connections Model is based on an interdisciplinary treatment approaches where Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Social Workers collaborate to design play-based learning opportunities and provide parent coaching. #slpsofinstagram #travelslp #volunteerspeechlanguagepatholgist #speechtherapyinjamaica

Latoya Chisholm, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS. Latoya is a

Latoya Chisholm, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS. Latoya is a Bilingual (English & Spanish) Speech-Language Pathologist currently serving pediatric and adult persons with communication and swallowing disorders across the continuum of care, primarily acute care and outpatient in Chicago, IL. Regardless of where Latoya sets her sights, her passion, helping nature, consistency, and cultural competency are always present and further support the communication and healing of her patients along with her person- and family-centered approach. As an ASHA ACE award recipient, Latoya’s drive to continue learning and compassion have facilitated the communicative efficiency, quality of life, and self-empowerment/advocacy of her patients. Latoya has led research in the areas of motor speech disorders as a sequelae of neurodegenerative disease and sociolinguistics. Latoya has also clinically instructed graduate clinicians within the acute care and outpatient settings, further supporting the development of her clinical judgement and application and her contribution to the field. Latoya enjoys live music, dancing, painting, traveling, cooking, and perusing museums. #sclinkuo24 #slpsofinstagram #travelspeechtherapy

Sharing two amazing Occupational Therapists volunt

Sharing two amazing Occupational Therapists volunteering in Jamaica. This is a segment of an obstacle course that was designed to promote working from a kneeling position. The Skilled Connections Model is based on an interdisciplinary model where Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Social Workers collaborate to design play-based learning opportunities and provide parent coaching. #otsofinstagram #traveloccupationaltherapy #volunteeroccupationaltherapy #occupationaltherapyinjamaica

Jamaica is experiencing the significant impact of

Jamaica is experiencing the significant impact of Hurricane Beryl, a category 4 hurricane that has cause severe damage across the island, but primarily along its south coast. As work goes on across Jamaica to repair and rebuild, remember many are still without power and running water. Please keep Jamaica in your prayers. Although there may be many efforts to help, we would like to share that the consulates in your area can provide a vetted avenue for your financial and or physical donations. Much love. #jamaicalove

April Dawn Girard is an Occupational Therapist who

April Dawn Girard is an Occupational Therapist who earned her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy in 1997 from Nova Southeastern University. She is the President and CEO of A New Dawn Therapy Services, Inc. She is also a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist. April’s passion is seeing each client evolve into their occupation/role as a kid and educating the caregiver. #sclinkup24 #otsofinstagram #occupationalTherapyinJamaica #volunteeroccupationaltherapist

Sharing our volunteer therapy team working with a

Sharing our volunteer therapy team working with a client in Jamaica. The Skilled Connections Model is based on an interdisciplinary approach where Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists and Social Workers collaborate to design play-based learning opportunities and provide parent coaching. #otsofinstagram #ptsofinstagram #slpsofinstagram #travelslp #travelpt #travelot #volunteerspeechlanguagepatholgist #volunteeroccupationaltherapist #volunteerphysicaltherapist #speechtherapyinjamaica #occupationaltheraptinjamaica #physicaltherapyinjamaica

Lauren Hastings is a speech-language pathologist,

Lauren Hastings is a speech-language pathologist, private practice owner, business coach, podcaster, and Ph.D. student. In 2016, Lauren began full-time work in her practice, Hear to Speak, in South Fulton (Atlanta) Georgia which serves the pediatric population using a community-based model. She expresses her love for her profession and the African-American community through her weekly podcast, Speech Tea. She enjoys co-hosting the podcast with her colleague, Lauren Prather, discussing topics impacting minorities and breaking down special education concepts in understandable terms. Currently, she is obtaining her Ph.D. in Educational Studies in Diverse Populations with a concentration in Health Disparities at the University of Alabama Birmingham and reopened her practice in Birmingham to include advocacy services.#sclinkup24

Part II of our appreciation series continues the l

Part II of our appreciation series continues the love for our tour company, Likkle Bit Tours, and its owner, Khourtney. On our June trip, she took us off the beaten path to the beautiful @breadnutvalleyestate, had us behaving like pirates discovering new locales in @frenchmanscoveja and had us mingle with the Kingstonians in an amazing tea shop in @devonhouseja. How many of these places have you been to? #sclinkup #jamaicatravel #jamaica

Special Thanks to Likkle Bit Tours and its owner K

Special Thanks to Likkle Bit Tours and its owner Khourtney for driving the Skilled Connections volunteers for 3 years! This partnership has been the “X Factor” for our trips. Khourtney is reliable, courteous, and fun. We call her “The Genie” because she can make anything happen for our volunteers. This year we partnered with her catering company @yumtingz.ja to take our after-work excursion to the next level. Yum Tingz provided us with a custom breakfast experience where we dined on 4 courses by the beautiful waters of @breadnutvalleyestate tucked away in St.Elizabeth, JA. We followed up our breakfast with a trip to YS Falls. Next time you are in Jamaica, seek out Breadnut Valley Estate and definitely book a tour or catered experience with Khourtney. You will not be disappointed. Much ❤️

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Skilled Connections is a Non-Profit 501c3

Skilled Connections Inc.

2045 Rockbridge Rd SW

Suite 205

Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Copyright © 2025 Skilled Connections Setup and Managed by TeriGrowth

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