WIXLIB

2016 Annual Report

Table of ContentsLetter from Leadership3Youth and Family4Community6Communication Access8Whom Do We Help?10Who Supports Us?12Who Works With Us?13Who Donates to Us?14How Can You Help?16Financial Statement 17Who are we?18Front Cover: Members of the St. Louis Deaf Teen ClubBack Cover: Summer Sign Day Camp ParticipantsThis annual report is printed with recycled paper.MissionThe mission of Deaf Empowerment AwarenessFoundation, Inc. is to Empower, raise Awareness,and bridge a sustainable Foundation ofcommunication and equal access to both thedeaf/hard of hearing and the hearing communitiesin the St. Louis metro area.VisionThe organization’s primary vision is to provideservices for deaf/hard of hearing, hearingindividuals, and the community in the St. Louismetro area as a whole to ensure effectivecommunication and cultural awareness. Thispurpose is accomplished through a meaningfulunity of community outreach, training, education,advocacy, media, visual arts, and interpreting. Thevision reflects a strong sense of community wherethe deaf/hard of hearing and hearing communitiesare empowered and aware of the importance ofequal access to all.

Letter from LeadershipDear Community Friends,There is a story about a powerful East African tribe called the Masai. They have aunique manner of greeting one another; “Kasserian Ingera?” one would ask, and“Sapati Ingera” is the reply. This translates to, “How are the children?” to which theresponse is always, “The children are well.” The greeting shows the importanceof all individuals involved in that community, especially those who are easilyneglected. We all matter, and we all have a civic responsibility to our community toensure effective communication access for everyone. It truly does take a village.Thomas Horejes, PhD.Executive DirectorCommunication barriers, whether in a simple exchange of greeting or during amedical emergency, create injustice and inequality for our entire community. This iswhy DEAF, Inc. works to ensure that communication access be a fundamental civilright for all deaf/hard of hearing individuals. It is with pride that we share our 2016Annual Report showing you how we bring this message to fruition.You, our giving & supportive community, help us to accomplish our goals. Ourdedicated donor base, army of volunteers, and ardent collaborators enable us tosucceed. Please join DEAF, Inc. in driving for social change, in breaking the cycleof inaccessibility and in creating opportunities for all to live equally. Together, weare changing lives. Thank you.I now ask you, Kasserian Ingera?Nate DissiPresident of the Board3

Youth and Family – Your Support Changes LivesSummer Sign Day CampThe parents cried for joy after seeing theirdeaf child finally make a deaf friend at ourSummer Sign Day Camp.DEAF, Inc. is committed to supporting deaf/hard of hearing youth andtheir family members through outreach, youth & family programming, andcollaboration with other deaf-focused organizations.Advancing Collaboration4DEAF, Inc. partnered with a premier oraldeaf school to help educate its studentsand parents about sign language and thedeaf community.National Deaf Centeron PostsecondaryOutcomesDEAF, Inc. was one of thefew organizations selectedby the National Deaf Centerat The University of Texas– Austin to provide supportin postsecondary deafeducation.

Signing Santa EventA grateful mother toldDEAF, Inc. that her childhad been waiting for theSigning Santa event formonths and on that day,he woke up at 4 a.m.fully dressed and ready tomeet Deaf Santa.DEAF, Inc. unveiled a series of videos called DeafThat, aninformative channel for the deaf/hard of hearing and hearingcommunity. DeafThat bring you stories, tips and informationthat are shaping the Deaf community. Scan here to seeour most popular episode - Baby Sign Language, that hasreceived over 2 million views.Deaf Teen ClubDEAF, Inc. provided a safe place for deaf/hard of hearing teens to congregate withtheir peers. There are over 48 members ofthe Deaf Teen Club.Parent Support GroupThanks to DEAF, Inc., Hands & Voices, aparent-led advocacy organization, is nowa chapter in the State of Missouri.5

CommunityCancer Care PackagesPink Wings of Hope, a DEAF, Inc.sponsored cancer support group, gavecare packages to deaf patients goingthrough treatment.First Responders TrainingIn 2016, DEAF, Inc. provided trainingsessions to first responders to improvecommunication and safety when workingwith the deaf/hard of hearing community.“The training.proved to be be very successful and extremelybeneficial to our police department.”City of Chesterfield Police6To see the complete testimony, scan the QR code.Enrichment WorkshopsDEAF, Inc. conductedworkshops throughout theyear on meaningful topicssuch as interpreting formedical & legal issues, ethics& confidentiality, propercultural etiquette, and ASLinstruction.

Health Care AdvocacyDEAF, Inc. advocated forimproved healthcare for deafand hard of hearing patientsby educating nurses anddoctors about communicationaccess.2%37%Cases in 2016Referral61%AssistanceCommunicationDomestic Violence Support96TotalCasesServed in2016DEAF, Inc. partnered with TheLEAD Institute, a domestic violenceorganization, to provide direct servicesto deaf domestic violence survivors.Deaf AdvocacyThrough empowerment and advocacy, DEAF,Inc. directly assisted the deaf/hard of hearingcommunity to cooperatively remedy theirchallenges such as communication barriersand discrimination into positive outcomes.7

Communication AccessEmergency ServicesDEAF, Inc. has sign languageinterpreters and coordinatorson call 24/7/365 where aperson, not an answeringmachine takes your call - ararity in other agencies. Yoursupport allows the deafcommunity to have the fullaccess it needs.Interpreting EnhancementsMonthly workshops were providedto ensure our interpreters receive thelatest training in ethics, techniques andprofessional 016Interpreting Hours Per Year81708Total Interpreting ServicesRequested in 2016

Telecommunication AccessiblityDEAF, Inc. is a state sanctionedcommunications access technologydemonstration center. This service enablesour clients with moderate hearing loss to talkon the phone with their loved ones.To see an example of ASL translation from theRoute 66 exhibition at the Missouri HistoryMuseum, scan the QR code on the right.Sign Language ClassesOver 120 participants signed up for our6-week sign language classes. Participantsincluded parents, neighbors, medicalprofessionals, co-workers, and policeofficers.ASL TranslationWe partnered with theMissouri History Museum onan Accessibility project wherewe installed QR codes in themuseum which connect fromaudio to ASL translated videosso deaf patrons can accesseducational information.9

Whom Do We Help?“DEAF, Inc. reached out to invite meto a meeting about establishing aMissouri Chapter of Hands & Voices.DEAF, Inc. has been instrumentalin our journey, by providinginterpreters, safe space andtechnology. They also reached out totheir contacts to help build a diverseBoard of Directors for the MissouriChapter.”Lauren FreemanPresidentMissouri Chapter of Hands & Voices10

“It has been such a strugglefor us to find other children forNicholas to play with. Noneof the many groups, activities,organizations that Nicholas hasattended has provided a peergroup for him until we discoveredthe Summer Sign Day Camp.”Dr. Pam Leonard-KukorolaParent“The ASL classes offered byDEAF, Inc. are awesome! It felteasier and more fun with thesmaller class sizes and personalinteraction. I will definitely beback to continue advancingmy knowledge to bettercommunicate with the deafcommunity.”Ryan BrownClass Attendee“Pink Wings of Hope helped mea lot with guidance while I amdealing with breast cancer. I amtruly grateful for the supportprovided by Annette Nitko andother members of Pink Wingsof Hope. Thank you all foreverything.”Lynn Stroud1-year Survivor11

Who Supports Us?These are some of the organizations that gave us funding, supported our workwith youth & family, and provided resources! Thank you for your support.Pujols Family Foundation Logo.PMS: 485 RedPMS: 1807 MaroonBlack#055812

Who Works With Us?These are some of the organizations who collaborated with us to bring ourmission to life. Thank you for your support!www.gslad.orgMCDHHMISSOURI COMMISSION FOR THEDEAF AND HARD OF HEARINGMCDHHMISSOURI COMMISSION FOR THEDEAF AND HARD OF HEARINGRMCDHHMISSOURI COMMISSION FOR THEDEAF AND HARD OF HEARINGMCDHHMISSOURI COMMISSION FOR THEDEAF AND HARD OF HEARING13

Who Donated?We are grateful for your support. Thank you for your generosity.Corporations ( 1000 )AHRA RealtyCenter for Hearing & Balance DisordersEisenberg & BaumFenton Family DentistryPujols Family FoundationScottrade, Inc.St. Louis Community FoundationThe UPS Store #0558Washington UniversityWells Fargo AdvisorsCorporations ( 500 to 999)Civic AccessGSLADRoute 66 PromotionsSorenson CommunicationsZVRS14Corporations ( 100 to 499)Central Institute for the DeafCharter Communications, Inc.Chick-fil-AChill-PakCommerce Bancshares FoundationDeaf Community CenterDixon GolfGrey Eagle DistributorsHearing Health CarePark Avenue MansionRelay MOSaint Louis Chapter of MOADWWT Asynchrony LabsAuction Donors ( 100 )Design 52Fenton Family DentistryJim ButlerNitko ArtNothing Bundt CakesOberweisPappy’s SmokehouseQue PasaRick Rush ArtSpectacular Eyes 4YouSt. Louis BluesSt. Louis CardinalsTrader JoesUrban ChestnutZeal Sunglasses

Individuals ( 500 )Annette and Carolyn AllenAnonymousThomas AntonDeborah CrowellDavid and Angie OfficerIndividuals ( 100 - 499)AnonymousMatt ArmstrongDennis DonnellyThe Horejes FamilyElizabeth EarleyMike FinneranAmy GlennWilliam GrahamJacques and Nancy HerzogDaryl JohnsonDominic LacyJoan and Jim MestresAnthony and Annette Nitko Jr.Anthony and Veronica Nitko Sr.Aruna RajagopalanAmy and Emery ReuschKatherine RoadwayAnthony RossabiDaniel and Donna SchreinerJames and Geneva ShearburnMary ShearburnTom ShearburnWilliam and Julie ShearburnWilliam B. SheldonJessica and Luke StergosMichele Wolford15

How Can You Help Us?Simple – by doing these three things.Donate Today!Donate today by using our Donate Now feature on ourwebsite - donate.deafinc.org. One time and recurringgifts are much needed to support our mission.Sign for“donate”Volunteer!Sign for“volunteer”Volunteer! Sign up to ensure our workshops,fundraisers, outreach events and classes aresuccessful!Spread the Word!Spread the Word! If you know someone who will benefitfrom our mission, tell them to contact us. If you knowsomeone who would like to help us with our mission,encourage them too!16Sign for“networking”Use the QR codefor direct link to ourDonation sectiononline.

Statement of ActivitiesStatement of Financial PositionFor the year ended December 31, 2016For the year ended December 31, 2016Public Support and RevenueContributionsAssets 627,778Current Assets 483,888Grants 10,167Property and Equipment, net 14,144Special events (gross) 18,264Artwork and Memorabilia 21,700 930,902Organizational Costs, net 2,454Program Service Fees and Misc. RevenueInvestment IncomeTotal Support and Revenue 960 1,588,071ExpensesProgram Services 522,186Liabilities and Net AssetsCurrent Liabilities 1,123,822Administration 189,615Fundraising 123,032Total ExpensesTotal Assets 46,124Unrestricted Net AssetsTempoarily Restricted 151,602Net Assets, Beginning of the Year 324,460Net Assets, End of theYear 476,062 10,167Total Liablities and Net Assets 1,436,469Change in Net Assets 465,895Income Sources58.6%39.6%0.6%1.2% 522,186- Program Services- Contributions- Special Events-Grants17