LEGACY LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
Feature
Community Impact Projects
COMMUNICATION STATIONS
CLASS OF 2024
These stations are positioned near play areas to assist them in communicating their name, needs, wants, and feelings to their peers, teachers, and other authority figures.” The impact has been both immediate and deeply personal. Steve Smith of Mayo Clinic recalled a powerful moment when a child independently used one of the stations to communicate a desire to see hawks at a park – demonstrating how the stations enable meaningful interaction without adult prompting. The project continues to expand, with installations across Rochester Public Schools, local parks, and surrounding communities. For participants, the experience reinforced a core leadership lesson. “When leaders create something tangible, people step forward,” Smith said. “It comes from taking action and building together around a shared vision.”
The Communication Stations project addresses a critical yet often overlooked barrier to inclusion: the ability to communicate effectively in public spaces. Through research and community engagement, the cohort identified that one in four adolescents struggles with communication due to factors such as hearing loss, speech challenges, language barriers, or developmental differences. To address this need, the team designed and installed Communication Station signs in parks, playgrounds, and schools across the region. These visual boards feature symbols, images, and prompts that allow children to express their needs, emotions, and ideas – whether asking for help, initiating play, or responding in an emergency. Becca Sell of Think Bank explained, “A fantastic way to help children feel safe, connected, and confident while playing outside is with Communication Station signs.
12 STATIONS INSTALLED
JUNE 2026 — ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE | 5
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