CFC/UNITED WAY #8164

Deaf-REACH Newsletter
Volume 23, Issue 3
Fall 2005

Inside This Issue:

Memorial Donations Make a Difference If you have a special event or date you would like to memorialize, consider asking friends and family to make a donation to Deaf-REACH. Whether you are honoring the death of a loved one or celebrating a wedding or other occasion, requesting donations is a special way of recognizing your event while making a difference in others’ lives. Recently, the Sabert family of Somers, New York, chose to remember George Sabert, father of a long-time Deaf-REACH member and supporter, by requesting that friends and family make a donation to Deaf-REACH in George’s name. This decision snowballed into a remarkable $3,400 given to the agency by friends and family of the Saberts. Together with the Sabert family, Deaf-REACH decided to establish a Member Emergency Fund with the recent donations. There are times when members at Deaf-REACH require emergency health or dental procedures, short-term housing, or help paying unexpected bills. With the Member Emergency Fund, money can be available for these kinds of situations.

Deaf-REACH Products Available Only Online For the first time ever, products bearing the Deaf-REACH logo are available for purchase. Here’s how: Go to www.cafepress.com/deaf-reach Choose from over 40 items. Make your purchase—it’s that simple! A portion of the proceeds from every sale goes to support Deaf-REACH. So get on board with this creative and easy fundraiser! You’ll find t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, hoodies, even doggie shirts. In addition to our line of Deaf-REACH fashion items, you’ll find baby bibs, BBQ aprons, caps, mugs, bumper stickers, and much more.

United Way Supports Intern Program

With a boost of $5,000 from the United Way, Deaf-REACH is now able to create a formal program for the many intern students who come through our door each semester.

Primarily graduate students from nearby Gallaudet University, interns arrive at Deaf-REACH seeking “real world” experience. That’s just what they gain from activities such as providing case management and individual and group counseling.

Students from the social work and mental health counseling departments are especially interested in internships at Deaf-REACH. Most interns work as Community Support Providers, offering services to deaf people with mental illness. In addition to graduate interns, Deaf-REACH often hosts interns from Gallaudet University’s undergraduate programs, including the communication arts and psychology departments.

As the number of interns rises each year at Deaf-REACH, a formal program is needed. With grant funds from the United Way, Deaf-REACH will establish the “Consumer Progress through Student Service” program to provide ongoing training, instruction, and supervision to student interns, thereby positively impacting the lives of consumers with whom they work. With adequate support and guidance, interns will experience greater success, leading to enhanced independence for the consumers they serve.