The celebration provided a rare opportunity for generational connection. Among the attendees were alumni students—now adults—who returned with their own children, underscoring the long-term, multi-generational impact of early intervention. The atmosphere was one of shared history, punctuated by “Story Time with Star,” a recurring highlight featuring founder Star Leonard-Fleckman, which served as a poignant reminder of the organization’s origins and its enduring commitment to listening and spoken language (LSL) education.
From a Home Basement to a Regional Beacon: A 29-Year Chronology
The story of Listen and Talk is one of organic growth rooted in a singular, specialized mission. In 1996, Star Leonard-Fleckman, an experienced teacher of the deaf and a certified auditory-verbal therapist, identified a critical gap in regional resources for children with hearing loss. Operating out of her own home, Leonard-Fleckman began providing specialized instruction designed to empower children to navigate the hearing world through listening and spoken language rather than relying on manual sign systems.
Over the subsequent three decades, the organization underwent a series of strategic expansions:
- 1996–2005: The Foundation Phase. The program established its core philosophy of auditory-verbal therapy, focusing on early intervention. During this decade, the organization moved from a home-based model to a formal facility, professionalizing its therapeutic approach.
- 2006–2015: Scaling Services. Recognizing the need for a more comprehensive educational environment, Listen and Talk launched its Blended Classroom Program. This period saw the integration of audiology services and the formalization of a Birth-to-Three program, ensuring that infants and toddlers received the highest level of care during the most critical period of neuroplasticity for language acquisition.
- 2016–2025: Outreach and Modernization. The organization expanded its digital footprint, incorporating virtual teletherapy to reach families across Washington state. This pivot proved vital during the global health crises of the early 2020s, ensuring continuity of care. By 2025, the organization was serving over 200 families annually, representing a diverse linguistic tapestry of more than 30 different languages.
Financial Success and the Inaugural Fundraiser
The inaugural Walk, Run, and Roll Fundraiser, which concluded on the same day as the Founder’s Day festivities, represents a new chapter in the organization’s financial sustainability strategy. The event was designed to be inclusive, with satellite walks taking place in various regional hubs, including Edmonds, Woodinville, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Green Lake neighborhood of Seattle.
The financial performance of the event exceeded initial internal projections. The campaign raised over $10,000 through grassroots participation, a total that was subsequently doubled by a matching donation from Leonard-Fleckman. As of late October 2025, the total funds raised surpassed $26,000. These resources are earmarked for specific institutional goals, including the maintenance of high-tech audiology equipment, the expansion of parent education workshops, and the recruitment of specialized speech-language pathologists.
The demographic range of the participants—spanning from toddlers to centenarians—reflected the broad community support for pediatric hearing healthcare. By moving the finish line to the Kirkland campus, the organizers effectively bridged the gap between operational fundraising and the physical location where the daily work of therapy occurs, allowing donors to witness the immediate impact of their contributions.
The Methodology of Auditory-Verbal Therapy
Listen and Talk’s pedagogical model relies on the scientific consensus that children with hearing loss can, with the right intervention and technology, develop speech-language skills comparable to their hearing peers. The organization emphasizes the development of self-advocacy skills from an early age, equipping children to navigate diverse settings—from school classrooms to social environments—without the consistent need for an interpreter.
The process is highly collaborative. Therapists do not simply instruct the child; they coach parents and caregivers to become the primary facilitators of language development. This approach acknowledges that the most significant portion of a child’s linguistic environment exists at home, not in a clinic. By providing families with the tools to foster communication in their native language—regardless of what that language may be—Listen and Talk ensures that cultural and familial bonds remain central to the child’s identity.
Institutional Implications and Future Outlook
The success of the 29th-anniversary celebration indicates a stable path forward for Listen and Talk. Executive Director Maura Berndsen and the current leadership team are focused on maintaining the high standard of care established by the founder while modernizing the infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing, technologically savvy patient base.
The implications of this work extend far beyond the individual child. Research consistently demonstrates that early intervention for hearing loss significantly improves long-term educational attainment, employment prospects, and social integration. By enabling children to “listen and talk,” the organization is directly mitigating the socioeconomic risks often associated with untreated or improperly treated hearing loss.
Furthermore, the organization’s commitment to diversity is a critical component of its mission. By serving families who speak over 30 languages, Listen and Talk is tackling a common barrier in special education: the lack of accessible, culturally competent therapy for non-English speaking households. The ability to provide therapy in the “language of the heart and home” is a key differentiator that ensures families remain engaged in the long-term therapeutic process.
Official Statements and Community Response
Reflecting on the milestone, leadership expressed a sense of both accomplishment and renewed urgency. “Our mission is to teach children with hearing loss to communicate and learn through listening and spoken language,” noted a spokesperson during the event. “This goal is at the heart of everything we do. It is coming to life every day in classrooms, therapy settings, and family homes.”
The presence of alumni families—including those who have successfully navigated the transition from early intervention to independent adulthood—serves as the primary evidence of the program’s long-term efficacy. For these families, the Founder’s Day event was not merely a celebration of the past, but a validation of the time and resources invested in their children’s development.
Looking Toward the 30th Anniversary
As Listen and Talk enters its 30th year, the organization is poised for further growth. The success of the Walk, Run, and Roll Fundraiser has provided a blueprint for future community engagement events. By diversifying its revenue streams through such public initiatives, the organization reduces its reliance on traditional grant funding and creates a more robust, community-backed financial model.
The path ahead involves the continued integration of cutting-edge hearing technology and the ongoing training of the next generation of auditory-verbal therapists. With a clear vision and a proven model, Listen and Talk remains committed to its core assertion: that no child should be limited by hearing loss. As the organization prepares for its next decade, the focus remains on scaling its impact, fostering global best practices in LSL education, and ensuring that every child who walks through their doors has the opportunity to thrive in the hearing world.
For those interested in the ongoing operations or wishing to contribute to the next phase of development, the organization continues to accept donations through its website. These funds support the critical infrastructure—from audiology testing to specialized classroom instruction—that has allowed the organization to flourish since 1996. The 29th-anniversary celebration has, in effect, set the stage for a milestone 30th year, reinforcing the organization’s role as a vital pillar in the Washington state healthcare and education landscape.
