Sharon Haynes, M.S.W., joined the full-time staff of the Deaf Wellness Center in November, 2002. Ms. Haynes provides individual, couple, family, and group psychotherapy services and participates in the DWC's teaching and research activities. Ms. Haynes graduated from Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint, MI, in 1976. She attended two colleges in Michigan, earning her AAS degree in Child Development and her BA degree in Social Work before moving to Rochester in 1988.

She worked for DePaul Mental Health Services for five years before entering Syracuse University's graduate program in Social Work. While pursuing her master's degree, Ms. Haynes completed internships serving students with learning disabilities at Rochester Institute of Technology and individuals with mental illness at the DWC. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University in 2000, then moved to Detroit to work for two years at Deaf Options, Inc., providing a variety of evaluation and psychotherapy services and leading prevention initiatives for deaf teenagers and deaf parents. Ms. Haynes also has experience conducting educational programs for deaf women at risk for domestic violence and was a co-founder of Rochester's Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Victims.

Ms. Haynes is married to Mr. John Haynes. Their children are Zane, Talasi, Ashlin Gutshall, who lives in Michigan, and Karriem Haynes, who lives in New Jersey. The Haynes enjoy cooking, camping, and traveling. Sharon describes herself as an animal lover and avid BUNCO player. She is also interested in interior design. "We are so thrilled to move back to Rochester -- this 'real community' where our hearts belong," Ms. Haynes says. "I am so pleased to be working for the DWC and to help grow DWC's services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing population. Moving back to Rochester and working for the DWC is a dream come true."