We're proud of what we have done so far. More to come!
We fund an education and advocacy program at Westchester Medical Center
Our latest program is at the Cochlear Implant Center of Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla NY, entitled Educational Advocacy Learning Series for Parents & Professionals. The innovative program provides essential information for caregivers about available resources that may be called upon to assist them in helping a child who is severely hearing impaired. It is under the guidance and supervision of Katrina Stidham, MD. We are confident that it will be successful. See https://www.westchestermedicalcenter.org/cochlear-implant-center
Toy Donations
After learning that Mattel was introducing a new Barbie doll with hearing aids, we created a fundraiser to raise money so we could gift this doll to the young children in our programs. We wanted these kids to have a Barbie doll that represented them, just like millions of other children around the world. After learning about our fundraiser, Mattel contacted us and donated over 200 dolls to our organization so we could gift dolls to even more children. lt has been quite rewarding to give a doll with hearing aids to a young child who is hearing impaired. Inclusion and representation matters and we are so thankful to Mattel for helping us give to as many children as possible!
We Support Assistance for Late Identified Children at the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech
Clarke School for Hearing and Speech is a well known school in NYC for teaching children who are hearing impaired, including those profoundly deaf with cochlear implants. Consistent with our Mission, we support a program that provides extra care to "late identified" (meaning post age 3) children having been or needing cochlear implantation. Late identification presents a serious neurological challenge so these children need extra attention to catch up to their peers. And COVID has inhibited hospital visits and as a result late ID will likely be on the rise. We are addressing that reality. Through Clarke, we also supply caregivers with information and and guidance to help the child at home. Home based support is critical - from reading, playing and speaking. And if some extra equipment is needed, it will be on hand at the School. It all leads to the child's success in the mainstream. For more about the school, see http://www.clarkeschools.org
Enhancing LSL Skills at St Francis de Sales School for the Deaf
SFDS' goal is to enhance the communication tools of students using Listening and Spoken Language (“LSL”) - in addition to ASL (signing) - as their primary communication language and mode for both students with and without implants. This is a new program and is worthy of our support and is well underway. Please visit the School's website: https://sfdesales.org/