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March 2024 

Agency Newsletter
Image description: Former Executive Director Frederick C. Schreiber and his wife Kathleen posing for a picture at a DEAF, Inc. ceremony. Both are in dark clothing, Frederick wears a suit and glasses, while his wife is in a dress holding a handbag.

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Did you know that DEAF, Inc. opened its doors on October 3, 1977?


DEAF, Inc. was founded in 1977 by Deaf leaders from the National Association of the Deaf and the Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf.


It is one of the first multi-service community-based agencies run by and for people who are Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, or Late-Deafened.

AGENCY NEWS

HEALTH SCREENING SURVEY

Click above to book the survey appointment

JOB OPENINGS
The image is a thumbnail for a video, likely related to a job opportunity or a recruitment campaign. It features Nayo in a casual blue button-up shirt. She is smiling and making a thumbs-up gesture with both hands, signaling positivity or success. The background is a simple, textured blue with text that reads “WE ARE HIRING ADVOCATES” in bold, capitalized yellow letters, indicating a call for applications or interest in advocacy-related positions. The overlay of a large red play button suggests that clicking on the image will play a video, possibly containing more detailed information about the hiring process or the roles to be filled.

Advocate

Health Advocate

Spanish Advocate

DBCAN Provider

Local American Sign Language (ASL) Instructors

EVENTS

Goal Getters 5K Walk/Run Fundraiser

Have you registered yet? The DEAF, Inc. Goal Getters 5k Run/Walk on Saturday, April 27, 2024, is just around the corner!


Lace-up your sneakers for a day filled with community spirit and movement!


Participants can look forward to an enjoyable experience, whether walking or running, alongside fellow community members. We will also have face painting, vendors, and activities, promising a day of fun and engagement for all.


Register today at bit.ly/5KGoalGetters.
Image description: Purple background. White DEAF, Inc. logo at the top. Yellow text reads “Accomplish with us!“. Two white hands signing GOAL is below it. In white and yellow text, GOAL GETTERS 5K Walk/Run Fundraiser. People at the bottom walk and run, one is in a wheelchair, one has a guide and a cane, and one is pushing a stroller. A peach colored rectangle contains expectations of the event and a map of the route. Event is on April 27, 8:30 am to 12 pm, starts at 50 Hunt Street, Watertown, MA 02472. April 1 - $30, at the door $40. Register! www.bit.ly/5KGoalGetters

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We are also looking for volunteers!

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Apply to be a Volunteer!
Image description: A dark green flyer with a yellow trim rectangle containing the text and an image of a leprechaun hat. At the very top we see the DEAF, Inc. logo with the following text underneath it: “DEAF, Inc. Hard of Hearing & Late-Deafened Committee presents Lucky St. Patrick's Day Social Friday, March 8, 2024 10am-12pm Northern Essex Community College Hartleb Technology Center Building Room 103B Light refreshments & drinks will be provided All Hard of Hearing & Late-Deafened community members are welcome to celebrate the luck of the Irish! Northern Essex Community College College Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830 Free Parking For more info, or to request accommodations, contact hello@deafincma.org or 617-505-4823

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DEAF, Inc. & Hard of Hearing & Late-Deafened Committee presents: Lucky You! "St. Patrick's Day Social"

Friday, March 8, 2024 / 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Northern Essex, Community College
Hartleb Technology Center Building
Room 103B


All Hard of Hearing & Late-Deafened community members are welcome to celebrate the luck of the Irish!


Light refreshments & drinks will be provided.
Image description: A dark blue background with the DEAF, Inc. logo at the top and a clip art image of five stick figure people joining hands with a red heart above them. After the logo the text reads, “The New Bedford staff invite you to SENIOR SOCIAL For Deaf/DeafBlind/ Hard of Hearing/Late-Deafened OLDER ADULTS & SENIORS Every 2nd Tuesday of the month Light refreshments & drinks will be provided. Next one is on TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2024 10AM-12PM New Bedford Office 888 Purchase St, Bay 1 New Bedford MA, 02740 Garage & Street Parking available for $2/hr For more info, or to request accommodations, contact hello@deafincma.org or 617-505-4823”

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The Senior Social Event at New Bedford Office

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 / 10:00 am- 12:00 pm
888 Purchase St, Bay 1 New Bedford MA, 02740


For Deaf / DeafBlind / Hard of Hearing / Late-Deafened OLDER ADULTS & SENIORS


Light refreshments & drinks will be provided.


(EVERY 2nd TUESDAY)
Image description: A dark blue flyer background being overlapped by a lighter blue circle. At the very top are the words, “Wellness Workshop” to the top right is an image of a multicultural group working out and to the top left is the DEAF, Inc. logo. Below in yellow text reads, “Food Label 101: A Deep Dive Into Food Ingredients” followed by smaller white texting that says, “Join us for 'Food Label 101' where you will learn about nutrition, reading ingredient lists, and making more informed choices to shop confidently.” The flyer text continues, “Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm EST Zoom ID: 918 8838 8357 | Password: brainfood www.bit.ly/DEAFIncWellnessWorkshops ASL/English Interpreters are provided.” You can see an image of man and a woman putting groceries into a massive paperback with a nutrition facts tag sticking out at the top. Below more text is found, “About the presenter: Rochella Jones is your food label guide. With a love for holistic nutrition, dedication to educated food choices, and 10 years of experience and certification in holistic health, she helps remove the mystery of food product labels, so you can make smart ingredient choices.” With the photo of the presenter Rochella Jones, she is a white woman with dirty blonde hair smiling. At the very bottom of the flyer it says, “Funded by Massachusetts COVID-19 Community Grants.”

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Food Label 101: A Deep Dive Into Food Ingredients

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 / 12:30 pm-1:30 pm


Join me and learn about nutrition, understand how to read ingredient lists, and make healthier choices confidently while shopping!


This virtual event will be conducted on Zoom:


Meeting ID: 918 8838 8357 Password: brainfood

ASL Program

ASL Blog:

The Role of American Sign Language in Security: Enhancing Communication and Inclusivity
Image Description: A man in a white shirt with the word "security" printed in the back. declining down an escalader

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Explore the vital role of American Sign Language (ASL) in security! Learn about the benefits, from effective communication with the deaf to inclusive practices and emergency response.


Elevate your skills, build community trust, and open doors for professional growth. Join the journey to make security accessible and inclusive for everyone!
Read the Blog
Image description: A dark blue flyer with magenta trim on the top right. The top of the flyer says, “ASL Classes I Spring Semester 2024” with the DEAF, Inc. logo on the top left beside it. Below this title continues on, “Classes available in both CASUAL and STANDARD paces. Casual classes would be most appropriate for students who are new to ASL and would benefit from activities that would provide an opportunity for practice and repetition. Standard classes are most appropriate for students with a general knowledge of ASL and would prefer an accelerated learning style. (In a light blue box, directly under a picture of people conversing and attached to a laptop showing people in a zoom call.) Most classes are offered virtually. Classes with an asterisk are presented in person.” Lower down in a pink strip the text reads, “CLASS SCHEDULE” followed by, “Registration will close at 12:00 pm (noon) EST on April 9th.” ( in the columns) TUESDAY April 16 - June 18 6 pm - 8 pm WEDNESDAY April 17 - June 19 6 pm - 8 pm THURSDAY April 18 - June 20 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ASL 1 (STANDARD) Units 1 - 3 Richard Watkins Jr ASL 2 (CASUAL) Units 3 - 4 Kathryn McBeth WEDNESDAY April 17 - June 19 6 pm - 8 pm ASL 1 (CASUAL) Units 1 - 2 Ronald Bergenhiem ASL 2 (STANDARD) Units 4 - 6 Marilyn Edwards THURSDAY April 18 - June 20 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm ASL 1 (CASUAL) Units 1 - 2 Cameron Baer Enroll Now! www.deafincma.org/services/asl”

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ASL Classes I Spring Semster 2024

Are you ready to grow your ASL skills this Spring?


Register today for DEAF, Inc. ASL classes!

We offer casual and standard classes, both virtually and in person.


Do not wait; registration closes at 12:00 pm (noon) EST on April 9th, 2024.


We are excited to see you there!
Enroll Now!

DeafBlind Community Access Network (DBCAN)

DBCAN EVENTS
Image description: A black and white flyer with white DEAF, Inc. “BASH HOUR” with a thin white divider line below. “WHERE? St. Patrick’s Day! TBA. WHEN? Saturday, March 16, 2024. 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM.” thin white divider line below that. “Be sure to wear green or we will pinch you! We will enjoy corned beef with sides! Touch you there!” at the bottom.

UPDATE: This event will be handled by DBCC, all further information will be shared by them 

BASH HOUR


WHERE?
St. Patrick's Day!

TBA


WHEN?
Saturday March 16, 2024

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM


Be sure to wear green or we will pinch you! 


We will enjoy corned beef with sides!


Touch you there!
Image Description: Black and white BASH HOUR flyer with white DEAF, Inc. logo at the top. WHERE? Sunnyside Bowladrome Inc, 176 Water St. Danvers, MA 01923. WHEN? Saturday, April 20, 2024, 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Come join us playing small ball (candlepin) bowling! Touch you there!

BASH HOUR


WHERE?
Sunnyside Bowladrome Inc

176 Water St.

Danvers, MA 01923


WHEN?
Saturday April 20, 2024

10:30 AM - 3:00 PM


Come join us playing small ball (candlepin) bowling!


Touch you there!

 
Image Description: Black and white BASH HOUR flyer with white DEAF, Inc. logo at the top. WHERE? Strawberry Picking at Wards Berry Farm. 614 S. Main St. Sharon, MA 02067. WHEN? Saturday, May 4, 2024. 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Lets hope for a beautiful day to go out and walk around the strawberry farm! Please make sure you bring enough cash/money to do strawberry picking and buy whatever you would like there!

BASH HOUR


WHERE?

Strawberry Picking at Wards Berry Farm

614 S. Main St.

Sharon, MA 02067


WHEN?
Saturday May 4, 2024

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM


Let's hope a beautiful day to go out and walk around the strawberry farm!


Please make sure you bring enough cash/money to do strawberry picking and buy whatever you like!
Image Description: Black and white BASH HOUR flyer with white DEAF, Inc. logo at the top. WHERE? 23rd Annual DBCAN BBQ. TBD. WHEN? TBD. Location, Date, and Time will be announced when we confirm the location. Look out for the next NL for more details!!

BASH HOUR


WHERE?

23rd Annual DBCAN BBQ

TBD


WHEN?
TBD


Location, Date, and Time will be be announced when we confirm the location.


Look out for the next NL for more details!!

Support Groups for DeafBlind and Providers

DBSG
March 6, 2024 Lawrence
April 3, 2024 TBA
May 1, 2024 TBA 


We will be providing 2 time slots of DBSG:


12:00 PM- 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM! 


12:00 PM – 2:00 PM will be held in different regions each month. Please look at which region each month will be held at. 


5:00 PM- 7:00 PM will be held virtually through ZOOM. We will provide interpreters!! Please book for a Communication Facilitator if you need one for ZOOM.


Touch you there! 

Advocacy, Resources, and Education Services

Senior Outreach Event
Image description:(From left to right) (left) A white woman in front of a projector dressed in a dark red shirt and scarf, the projector title says, "phone alerting systems" while she teaches a class of senior citizens, (middle) a group of senior citizens enjoying themselves during the outreach ,A white woman with a green shirt presenting in front of a board with “TYPES & CAUSES OF HEARING LOSS” graphic slide projected on it.

February 8th was our DEAF, Inc. Senior Outreach Event. We enjoyed learning about the types and causes of hearing loss and assistive technology while connecting with community members. We host our outreach events to educate potential consumers on how DEAF, Inc. can help them. Be on the lookout for our next event!

Building Healthy Relationships: Communication and Understanding Wellness Workshop with Bee Gehman
Image description: Bee Gehman is dressed in black with glasses and brown curl hair, she recently taught a Wellness Workshop on Communication in relationships, and the slide beside her shows the different types of relationships.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Bee Gehman taught us about the fundamentals of relationship and healthy communication! 


We discussed different types of relationships, how to communicate effectively, and how to avoid misunderstanding.


This event was made possible by Massachusetts COVID-19 Community Grants.
DEAF, Inc. Contributions/Donation Appeal Video

Click to watch the video

SUPPORT DEAF, Inc.

Take this opportunity to support DEAF, Inc. with a voluntary donation!


Any amount helps us! Proceeds will be used to expand our services and advocacy for our community.


Your donation will be confidential. You will not be denied services if you choose not to donate.
Donate

STAY UP TO DATE WITH DEAF, Inc.

Follow us on our social media and website.

www.deafincma.org
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Any Questions? Feedback?

Please contact the front desk at
617-505-4823 or frontdesk@deafincma.org.

DEAF, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) agency funded through government contracts, private funding and donations. This newsletter developed with support from: MA Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, City of Boston’s Office of Jobs and Community Development Block Grant, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission, Cummings Foundation Grant and United Way Massachusetts Bay/Merrimack Valley (in the Greater Attleboro/Taunton Region), Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Coastline Elder Services, Inc., Federal Administration for Community Living, HRiA - MA COVID-19 Community Grants, USCIS Innovations in Citizenship Grant, Massachusetts Service Alliance, HealthCare for All, MassHealth, Commonwealth Care Alliance, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission – Title VII Part B, Liberty Mutual, Sanofi Genzyme, Boston Evening Clinic, Bushrod Campbell, Association for the Relief of Aged Women of New Bedford