Billings, Mont. – Growing up with deaf parents, Roberta Frigon learned sign language as a natural part of daily life. Today she is turning that lifelong skill into a community service, offering free sign‑language classes at the Secondhand and Steam store in downtown Billings.
From family tradition to public outreach
Frigon says her fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) began at home, where both of her parents were deaf. “Sign language wasn’t a lesson for me; it was simply part of everyday life,” she explained. When she later married her husband, Mike, he also learned ASL so they could communicate with her family. The couple even incorporated the language into their wedding vows.
Free classes for anyone interested
Recognizing a broader need, Frigon partnered with store owner Shawna Halverson, who runs Secondhand and Steam, a boutique that doubles as a community gathering space. “I wanted to offer this to the community so that everybody could actually enjoy them,” Halverson said. The store’s mission is to be more than a retail outlet; it aims to be a welcoming hub where neighbors can meet, learn, and connect.
Classes are open to all Billings residents, regardless of prior experience. “Many people want to learn sign language but don’t know where to start,” Frigon noted. By providing a structured, no‑cost curriculum, the program removes that barrier and invites participants to practice real‑world communication with deaf friends, family members, and neighbors.
Building bridges between hearing and deaf communities
Frigon believes that expanding sign‑language knowledge strengthens the entire community. “What we’re doing is we want to open up the deaf world to the community, because the community needs to know how to speak to a deaf person,” she said. Participants leave each session with practical skills that can be used in everyday interactions, from greeting a neighbor to assisting a deaf customer at a local business.
Halverson adds that the classes align with her broader vision for the store. “Opening the store is my favorite part. It’s just meeting people because I want people to feel very welcome when they come in here,” she said. The free lessons have already attracted a diverse group of attendees, ranging from high school students to retirees, all eager to learn a new language that fosters inclusion.
Community response and future plans
Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Attendees report feeling more confident in their ability to communicate with deaf individuals and appreciate the opportunity to give back to a community that has long been under‑served. Frigon hopes to expand the program beyond the store’s walls, potentially partnering with local schools, churches, and civic groups to reach even more residents.
Both Frigon and Halverson see the initiative as a model for how grassroots efforts can address gaps in public understanding and promote unity. “We want to keep this going and see more people join,” Frigon said. “When more of us can sign, the whole city becomes a more welcoming place for everyone.”
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
