Introducing NOAH Connections
Inspired by our early pandemic “Social Distancing with Friends” series, as well as the heart-warming connections created during #VirtualNOAHCon2020, NOAH is delighted to introduce NOAH Connections, an ongoing series of virtual opportunities to bring the community together. An essential part of NOAH’s mission is to “provide a place where people with albinism and their families in the U.S. and Canada can find acceptance, support, and fellowship.” With the participation and engagement of community members like you, NOAH Connections will provide this opportunity for virtual “face to face” connections. Unless otherwise stated, NOAH Connections will be hosted on the Zoom platform.
Do you have suggestions for future NOAH Connections virtual gatherings?
Learn more about the NOAH Connections Advisory Committee and apply today!
NOAH Connections Advisory Committee
We hope you’ll join us for one of many upcoming opportunities to connect!
What’s Your Vision?
Do you have a vision for future support forums, interest group meetings, educational sessions or social activities that would benefit the albinism community?
Submit your session ideas using this form to suggest upcoming content and connections for all!
Upcoming Opportunities to Connect:
Preschool ~ Grades K-5 ~ Grades 6-8 ~ Teens
Young Adults ~ Adults ~ Special Interest ~ Everyone!
Are you a parent or grandparent looking to connect with others in the albinism community?
Check out Parent Connections and Grandparent Connections!
Sunday, April 18th ~ Kids’ PWA Book Club
Tuesday, April 20th ~ Aging with Albinism
Thursday, April 22nd ~ Adults
Sunday, April 25th ~ BIPOC
Tuesday, April 28th ~ PWAs in STEM
Thursday, April 29th ~ Teens & Young Adults
Sunday, May 2nd ~ Thando Hopa: The Beauty of Inclusion
Sunday, May 2nd ~ Conversations with Jocelyn: Coping with Feelings
Grades K-5 ~ Grades 6-8 ~ Teens
Tuesday, May 4th ~ PWAs in the Legal Profession
Wednesday, May 5th ~ PWA Book Club
Thursday, May 13th ~ Teens & Young Adults
Sunday, May 16th ~ Kids’ PWA Book Club
Wednesday, May 19th ~ Canadian Parents
Preschool NOAH Connections
Preschool NOAH Connections
Earth Day Celebration with Kathi Garza
Wednesday, April 28th at 12:00pm ET // 9:00am PT
Let’s celebrate Earth Day with a fun activity!
A note from Kathi:
Hi Preschoolers and the big people who love them!
I’m looking forward to our fun Earth Day Preschool Connections session. We are going to use recyclables to make some awesome Up-cycled musical shakers. Please have the following supplies handy:
– Paper plate, paper tube, plastic bottle, can, or a plastic Easter egg. If you’re using a plastic Easter egg or the paper tubes, you may also want two durable plastic spoons to transform it into a maraca
– Dry beans, or dry pasta. Rice would work, but may end up being messy.
– Crayons or markers if you’re using paper goods. If you’re using plastic or metal items, you may want stickers to decorate. This is totally optional.
– Low temp hot glue gun or stronger tape. I used packing tape, but masking tape or a lot of regular tape would work. For paper products, a stapler might work as well.
Sign up for Preschool NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Preschool NOAH Connections!
Grades K-5 NOAH Connections
Grades K-5 NOAH Connections
Conversations with Jocelyn: Coping with Feelings
Sunday, May 2nd at 1:30pm ET
This session provides children and youth with opportunity to talk about feelings that can be experienced when living with Albinism as they may relate to frustrations, visual challenges, bullying etc. With Jocelyn’s guidance, kids will learn about healthy expression and coping in a safe and welcoming environment.
Jocelyn Leworthy, a Certified Child Life Specialist and young adult living with Albinism, will facilitate our discussion.
Sign up for Grades K-5 NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Grades K-5 NOAH Connections!
Grades 6-8 NOAH Connections
NOAH Kids’ PWA Book Club
(recommended for grades 5-8)
Sunday, April 18th at 3:00pm ET // 12:00pm PT
Join award-winning author (and parent of a daughter with albinism) Beth Vrabel and Certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments Kathi Garza as they introduce the next book we’ll be reading, “A Blind Guide to Normal” by Beth Vrabel.
Save the Date:
Join us to discuss “A Blind Guide to Normal” on Sunday, May 16th at 3:00pm ET
Sign up for NOAH Kids’ PWA Book Club!
Grades 6-8 NOAH Connections
Conversations with Jocelyn: Coping with Feelings
Sunday, May 2nd at 2:15pm ET
This session provides children and youth with opportunity to talk about feelings that can be experienced when living with Albinism as they may relate to frustrations, visual challenges, bullying etc. With Jocelyn’s guidance, kids will learn about healthy expression and coping in a safe and welcoming environment.
Jocelyn Leworthy, a Certified Child Life Specialist and young adult living with Albinism, will facilitate our discussion.
Sign up for Grades 6-8 NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Grades 6-8 NOAH Connections!
Teen NOAH Connections
Teen NOAH Connections
Thursday, April 15th at 8:00pm ET // 5:00pm PT
Thursday, April 29th at 8:00pm ET // 5:00pm PT
Thursday, May 13th at 8:00pm ET // 5:00pm PT
NOAH Teens, you’re invited to our next Teen Connections call!
Sign up for Teen NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Teen NOAH Connections!
Teen NOAH Connections
Conversations with Jocelyn: Coping with Feelings
Sunday, May 2nd at 3:00pm ET
This session provides teens with opportunity to talk about feelings that can be experienced when living with Albinism as they may relate to frustrations, visual challenges, bullying etc. With Jocelyn’s guidance, we will discuss healthy expression and coping in a safe and welcoming environment.
Jocelyn Leworthy, a Certified Child Life Specialist and young adult living with Albinism, will facilitate our discussion.
Sign up for Teen NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Teen NOAH Connections!
Young Adult NOAH Connections
Young Adult NOAH Connections
Thursday, April 15th at 9:15pm ET // 6:15pm PT
Thursday, April 29th at 9:15pm ET // 6:15pm PT
Thursday, May 13th at 9:15pm ET // 6:15pm PT
Young Adults, join us for our next session. This is a great chance to share our experiences and connect with fellow PWAs!
Sign up for Young Adult NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Young Adult NOAH Connections!
Adult NOAH Connections
Adult NOAH Connections
Thursday, April 22nd
9:00pm ET // 6:00pm PT
Adult PWAs, you’re invited to our next session of Adult Connections! We hope to see you on Zoom for social time with fellow PWAs.
Sign up for Adult NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Adult NOAH Connections
PWA Book Club
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 5th at 9:00pm ET
Current Reading Material: “The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller
All PWAs (18+ years old) can join NOAH’s Book Club – simply sign up and get your hands on a copy of the current book. Depending on the length of the book, we will meet every 1-2 months in NOAH’s zoom room for a discussion facilitated by the book club member who selected the current book. Members will take turns picking the next reading selection and facilitating the discussion!
Please note: NOAH’s book club is offered free of charge, but NOAH does not provide the current reading material to participants. You must purchase or borrow the selected book to participate!
Join NOAH PWA Book Club Today!
NOAH Connections for Everyone
Albinism & Performing Arts
with Marleena B., Caroline V., & Casey G.
Sunday, April 11th at 4:00pm ET // 1:00pm PT
Check out this article from AI 2019 by Casey Greer & Marleena Barber: Tips and Tricks to Being a Stage Performer…then join them along with Caroline V. to discuss albinism and the performing arts.
All are welcome to join to hear their stories, ask questions, and connect!
Sign Up for Albinism & Performing Arts!
Thando Hopa – The Beauty of Inclusion
A cultivated conversation guided by Dr. Niya Pickett Miller
Sunday, May 2nd at 4:00pm ET // 1:00pm PT
This call will be a cultivated conversation about Thando Hopa’s speech, The Beauty of Inclusion. Thando Hopa is a South African model, activist and lawyer, and the first person with albinism to appear on the cover of Vogue. View the video at https://youtu.be/_q-aP_Ru4w8, then join Dr. Niya Pickett Miller to unpack and discuss the many topics that Thando Hopa brings to light. This cultivated conversation will center around racial identity, self awareness, and more.
Register Today!
NOAH Connections Coffee Chat!
Next Call TBD
Coffee Chats are an open invitation to have coffee with NOAH staff on Zoom. Share your thoughts on NOAH programming, share your voice, or simply join us for some social time.
Sign up for NOAH Connections Coffee Chat today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join NOAH Connections Coffee Chat!
Special Interest
Aging with Albinism – Skin in the Game
hosted by June Waugh
Tuesday, April 20th ~ 4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT
“Aging with Albinism” is an opportunity to connect with others, to share, to renew old friendships, to celebrate, and to acknowledge how albinism continues to be an integral part of our lives.
How have you managed the lifetime effects of the sun on your skin and your lifestyle? Join us for Aging with Albinism – Skin in the Game to discuss!
Sign up for NOAH Connections Aging with Albinism today, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join NOAH Connections Aging with Albinism!
BIPOC NOAH Connections
Sunday, April 25th at 4:00pm ET // 1:00pm PT
The latest addition to our NOAH Connections offerings!
This gathering is intended for adults with albinism who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). Our next session will tentatively focus on a discussion about the intricacies of living as BIPOC and living with albinism, and the nuances of identity in our communities.
This gathering, facilitated by Silpa Tadavarthy, will take place on Zoom.
Sign up for BIPOC NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join BIPOC NOAH Connections!
PWAs in the STEM Fields
hosted by Sarah Kane & Derek Schindelman
Wednesday, April 28th
8:30pm ET // 5:30pm PT
PWAs in STEM, you’re invited to a social gathering hosted by Sarah Kane & Derek Schindelman!
Register to participate in this and future PWAs in STEM connections!
People with Albinism in the Legal Profession
hosted by Arielle Lewis and Katy Carroll
Tuesday, May 4th at 8:30pm ET // 6:30pm PT
Calling all law students, lawyers, judges, and paralegals with albinism. You’re invited to join with fellow PWAs in the legal profession for a NOAH Connections social time just for you. Please join us for conversation and connections.
Note: This is a social time for people with albinism in the legal profession – legal advice will not be provided.
Register Now for People with Albinism in the Legal Profession!
NOAH Connections: Canadian Parents
hosted by Katie Bailey & Emily Urquhart
Wednesday, May 19th at 8:00pm ET // 7:00pm CT //6:00pm MT //5:00pm PT
Calling all Canadian parents of children with albinism! Please join us for an open discussion led by NOAH parent volunteers Katie Bailey (Alberta) and Emily Urquhart (Ontario) and a chance to connect with other parents of children with albinism across the country. Parents of children of all ages and all parts of the country are welcome.
Sign Up Now!
Parenting without Pigment NOAH Connections
Next Call TBD
Are you a PWA with kids? This is the perfect group for you!
Join together with fellow parents without pigment to connect, discuss, share, and more! We hope to “see” you at our next gathering.
Sign up for Parenting without Pigment NOAH Connections today for info on how to join this session, and we’ll automatically subscribe you to email reminders for future opportunities to connect!
Join Parenting without Pigment NOAH Connections
NOAH Connections: Military Families
Next Call TBD
Calling all military families (active, reserve, retired), join us to connect, share experiences, and discuss the challenges of being a military family navigating life with albinism. Do you have tips and tricks to share? How you navigated EFMP, PCSing, Tricare, etc?