Talvin Rodgers

Hamden, CT

Talvin Rodgers is a Unified Sports® Partner from Hamden who will participate in softball at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. Talvin is 29 years old and works at Yale New Haven Health as an Anesthesia Technician, where he earned the 2024 Yale Surgical Service Award. He has been a Unified Sports® partner with Special Olympics Connecticut for 15 years, most recently for North Haven where he has met great friends who have turned into family.

“Special Olympics has changed my life in unimaginable ways,” says Talvin. He adds that it has taught him how to interact with people from all walks of life and helped make him into the man he is today. “Lending a helping hand and knowing that you are truly appreciated is an unmatched feeling,” said Talvin. This is especially important to Talvin who recently lost his mom. “You never know what someone is going through.” He turns to Special Olympics as an outlet to open up about losing his mom, who he strives to make proud, everyday. He hopes others find the same outlet in Special Olympics that he has; especially like the one he’s found in North Haven.

Not only does Talvin lend a helping hand at Special Olympics, but he is also the Head Donations Coordinator for the Hart to Heart Humanitarian foundation that helps feed the homeless, send medical supplies overseas, and donate Christmas gifts and charitable donations to families in need in New Haven County. When he is not helping others, he is most likely on a plane. He has been to ten countries in the last 2 years and loves to experience different cultures. If he is in the country, you can catch him at a Mets game as a NY Mets 7 line member.

“Attending the USA Games is a tremendous honor that I do not take lightly,” said Talvin. He is looking forward to meeting new people and watching athletes and Unified partners from all over the country compete.