Courtesy Photo Digital wellness expert Mark Ostach will be the keynote speaker on Thursday at Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan’s 35th-anniversary dinner.

ALPENA — Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan is celebrating its 35th anniversary, and the public is invited to join them for a special dinner on Thursday.

The organization is celebrating 35 years of helping build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

The event will be held at the Phoenix Room inside JJ’s Steak and Pizza House in Alpena. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the dinner will start around 5 p.m.

“Over 35 years, you accomplish a lot,” said Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan Executive Director Ted Fines. “Our future looks really good, and that’s because of the support we’ve had from our amazing board, incredible staff, and our great community. We’re one of the few actually building single-family homes that are affordable. It’s a challenge, but we can see the positive impact it’s having. It’s really incumbent upon us to let the community know what we have to offer.”

The event will feature keynote speaker Mark Ostach, a digital wellness expert who helps people find the courage to connect. A globally recognized speaker on digital wellness and frequently featured in USA Today, Ostach has done two TED talks, written three books, and spoken to thousands of people, encouraging them to embrace a spirit of courage through vulnerability. He has degrees in psychology, technology, and an interest in behavioral neuroscience. His mission is to remind the world that human connection is the most powerful connection we have.

“The last five years have been really focused on helping teams and organizations, and for that matter, communities better connect, post-COVID,” Ostach said in a phone interview. “There’s been a charge from the surgeon general of the U.S. and the World Health Organization for our society to focus on social well-being. And social well-being is connected to mental and emotional health, but it’s really reflective of how are we being intentional as we gather, in our teams, communities, and homes, to be more connected.”

He said isolation isn’t good for anyone, and we need to find connections to live fuller lives.

“When you’re more connected, you’re less likely to feel alone,” Ostach said. “When you’re alone, you’re isolated, and you’re more susceptible to stress, depression, anxiety, fear.”

He has a heart for helping others find and grow those connections.

“My hope is to remind people that when we’re more connected to each other, there’s this sense of trust and unity that has been jeopardized over the last few years as the fabric of humanity has been and continues to be tested,” Ostach said.

He will share more at the event, but he has some encouragement for anyone seeking connection with others.

“I always encourage people to ask three questions,” Ostach said. “‘How are you?’ ‘What are you looking forward to?’ And ‘How can I help?'”

He explained why those questions are important in establishing a connection.

“The default tendency, when we’re with people we don’t know, is to talk about the news and the weather,” Ostach said. “When we talk about the news and the weather, we’re missing out on an opportunity to connect and create momentum towards something that somebody is feeling hopeful about.”

Ostach’s books are called “Courage to Connect” and “If You Really Knew Me.” He has also written a journal called “Walk Forward.”

“When you have courage in the way that you show up in your conversations, you’re more likely to share your heart or your story,” said Ostach. “Additionally, vision comes from your heart. Even though your eyes see where you’re going, your motivation to move comes from the vision of your heart. So, when you are asked ‘What are you looking forward to or feeling hopeful about?’ You have the opportunity to express something out of your heart, as opposed to the negative energy wave system that is the daily news cycle, perpetuating us with nothing from our heart, and just fear from our minds.”

He said those questions can create renewal and re-energize people as they share what they are looking forward to.

“Human connection is the most powerful connection we have,” Ostach said. “We’re better together.”

For more information about Ostach, visit markostach.com.

“I feel very fortunate that we were able to get him up here,” Fines said of Ostach, who is coming up from Clarkston. “It’s going to be a nice event.”

“I think this event is going to be fantastic for the community of Alpena to see the great work that Habitat for Humanity is doing,” Ostach added. “I’m excited to meet people and speak life into the Alpena community, and make a few more connections before I head back home.”

In addition to the keynote speaker, a cash raffle will be held. First prize is $1,500, second prize is $1,000, and third prize is $500. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $20. Winners will be drawn at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Tickets to the dinner are still available for $40 per person or $75 per couple. Get tickets at the Habitat for Humanity offices and ReStore at 2630 U.S.-23 in Alpena. If you have questions, call the Habitat office at 989-354-2141.

Darby Hinkley is Lifestyles editor. She can be reached at 989-358-5691 or dhinkley@thealpenanews.com.