HNH History

Hand-N-Hand of Northeastern Wisconsin, Inc. (HNH) is a non-profit organization that offers a playgroup for children ages birth to five who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families in the northeastern region of Wisconsin.

Hand-N-Hand promotes language, early literacy, and social and emotional development as well as provides information and resources about hearing loss. Weekly playgroups, summer outings, parent and community education workshops and sign language classes for children and adults, and scholarships for families to attend deaf related events are offered.

Jenny Geiken is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a Wisconsin Sound Beginnings Birth to Three Consultant for infants and toddlers with hearing loss and a PPCI (Professional Preparation in Cochlear Implants) alumni. As a teacher in Wisconsin, she witnessed the need and desire for connections among children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families with other families who have a deaf or hard of hearing child. With Universal Newborn Hearing Screenings occurring in the majority of hospitals in the state, children are being identified with hearing loss at a much younger age than in the past. Jenny realized that families need the opportunity to have fun, socialize with their child who is deaf or hard of hearing and other families, and gain unbiased information about hearing loss. In 2002, Jenny founded Hand-N-Hand as a playgroup; in January 2004, it became a non-profit organization.

View our 501(c)3 letter