A Season of Connection

Dear MnCAN Community,

As summer begins to wind down, we find ourselves looking ahead to the freshness, calmness, and new beginnings that fall brings. While we may be saying goodbye to long summer days, we are excited for all that the coming season has in store!

This year has already given us so many opportunities to connect—through conversation groups, support groups, Coffee & Connections, Pizza in the Park, weekly programs, community events, and so many meaningful moments in between. Each gathering reminds us that connection is at the heart of everything we do at MnCAN.

And there is more to come! We have several upcoming social gatherings and opportunities to spend time together, meet new people, strengthen friendships, and simply enjoy being part of this incredible community. We hope you will join us for the events that feel right for you.

Connection can look different for everyone. It might be joining a conversation group, attending a social event, grabbing coffee with a friend from MnCAN, participating in a support group, or simply saying hello to someone new. There is no right or wrong way to connect.

As we head into fall, we invite you to find the ways that work best for you—and to remember that you are always welcome here.

Thank you for being part of the MnCAN community and for helping make it such a welcoming, supportive, and connected place. We can't wait to see you this fall!

With gratitude,

Jessica & Angie
Co-Executive Directors
Minnesota Connect Aphasia Now (MnCAN)

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our July Pizza in the Park gathering in Edina!

This special evening was our way of celebrating—and saying a BIG THANK YOU—to our incredible MnCAN community for your support, generosity, and belief in what we do, especially during our June Aphasia Awareness Month Campaign!

While it’s difficult to put into words just how grateful we are, gathering together to celebrate felt like the perfect way to say thank you.

We welcomed more than 75 people from our MnCAN community, including several people who were brand new to MnCAN! We chatted, laughed, shared stories, enjoyed some pizza, made new connections, and most importantly—spent time together.

We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you and look forward to many more opportunities to connect, celebrate, and support one another.

Connection matters. Community matters. YOU matter.

For people with aphasia, by people with aphasia.

Friday, September 25, 2026 - 11:30am (CT)

Register here: https://aphasia.org/event/speaking-out-conference-2026/

We are thrilled to introduce Megan Schmoll, our newest Speech‑Language Pathologist and Aphasia Conversation Group Facilitator supporting the Brooklyn Park Aphasia Conversation Group. 

Megan brings a decade of experience and a deeply person‑centered approach to communication support. She earned her Master’s Degree in Speech‑Language Pathology from the University of Minnesota–Duluth in 2012 and began her career in K–12 public schools across the Twin Cities, later expanding her work to home‑based and preschool settings with pediatric learners.

Megan previously participated in a MnCAN conversation group as a graduate intern, and she is excited to return -this time as a facilitator - bringing her lived experience, empathy, and clinical expertise full circle.

Her blend of skill, compassion, and community‑focused energy makes her an incredible addition to MnCAN. We’re so grateful she’s here.

Celebrating Mark! 

If you have been part of MnCAN for a while—or joined us at a social events - you’ve likely seen or met Mark Hallen.

Mark is a warm, generous and incredible stroke survivor living with aphasia, and we are so grateful that he is part of the MnCAN community as one of our amazing volunteers.

Every week, Mark volunteers with one of our in-person conversation groups and our online Coffee Club. 

Mark’s impact goes beyond those weekly groups. He has served as a greeter at our annual fundraising events and is always one of those welcoming faces anywhere he goes. He helps new participants feel comfortable, welcomed and a little less nervous as they take that first step into the MnCAN community.

Mark has a gift for making people feel like they belong—and that is something truly special.

Mark is also a passionate advocate for stroke survivors and people with disabilities. He regularly keeps our MnCAN team informed about community opportunities and events, including Spokes Fighting Strokes, and he is actively involved with the Coffee & Conversations group at North Memorial.

Mark gives his time, his energy, his experience and, most importantly, his heart. When asked what advice he would give someone newly diagnosed with aphasia, his message is simple: “Keep trying…”

Mark loves connecting with people and helping others find a social network, friendship and hope. His philosophy is simple but powerful: “Just help them start talking. Even one word or one sentence is starting somewhere.”

We are incredibly grateful for all that Mark does to make MnCAN a more welcoming, connected and inclusive community.

Thank you, Mark, for showing up, speaking up and helping others feel less alone. We are so lucky to have you on the MnCAN team!

Join us for our August Coffee & Connections! 

We are excited to host our August Coffee & Connections in Maple Grove!

These monthly gatherings continue to be a favorite among our participants and care partners—and for good reason! They’re an easy, relaxed way to meet new people, build friendships, and connect with others who truly understand the journey.

Whether you are living with PPA, love someone with PPA, or your loved one is living with aphasia following a stroke or brain injury—you are not alone.

Come as you are. Stay for a few minutes or stay awhile.

We’re all in this together. 

We can’t wait to see you in Maple Grove!

Shop. Sip. Support.

Join us for a fun Kendra Gives Back event benefiting MnCAN.

Friday, September 18, 2026
5:00–7:00 PM
Kendra Scott store at Rosedale Center – Roseville

Come connect with MnCAN friends, enjoy sips and snacks, and shop for beautiful Kendra Scott jewelry. It is never too early to start your holiday shopping—and with something for everyone, you’re sure to find a gift (or maybe a little something for yourself!).

An added bonus?

20% of all in-store purchases made during the event will be donated directly to MnCAN.

Cannot make it in person? No problem! You can shop online and still support MnCAN using our special code: GIVEBACK-MNGRU all day September 18th and 19th. 

Kendra Scott has also generously donated a $175 jewelry package to the MnCAN Break the Barriers Gala Silent Auction - this extra special jewelry was custom designed by one of our directors, Jessica Wald.

We are SO excited to host this special event and would love to see you there! Bring a friend, shop for a cause, and help us continue creating connection, support and hope for people living with aphasia and PPA. 

Registration information and gala website coming soon!

Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to our biggest event of the year - this is one you will not want to miss. Tickets will go on sale in early September. 

Join us for an inspiring afternoon filled with silent and live auctions, delicious food and drinks, powerful keynote speakers, and a community coming together for an incredible cause.

Together, we will celebrate connection, raise awareness and critical funds, and support individuals and families living with aphasia.

Will YOU be there?

Are you able to contribute to the gala auction? Planning is underway for our exciting Silent and Live Auction item packages and we are looking for ideas, basket donations, gift cards, experiences and gala event sponsors. 

Email us if you are able to contribute or have an idea. contact@mncan.org

Attention MnCAN Care Partners: We would like to give something back to you.

We are honored to offer a complimentary MnCAN Care Partner Retreat at the beautiful Charleson Meadows estate in Victoria, Minnesota.

This retreat is created just for you—a chance to step away from daily responsibilities, take a deep breath, rest, reconnect with yourself, and spend time with other care partners who truly understand your journey.

Whether you join us for the day or stay overnight, our hope is that you'll experience peace, encouragement, connection, and renewal.

Guided by the MnCAN team, you'll have opportunities to nurture your mind, body, and soul while allowing yourself to simply be cared for in this peaceful setting.