🌟 We're thrilled to announce our New Board of Directors for Fiscal Year 2024-2025! 🌟 

These dedicated leaders will guide us in the year ahead, and their commitment to our mission will shape a brighter future for each family we serve.

Dr. Thomas Young, President

Kelly Day, Vice President

Cayt Kirkman, Secretary

Mark Appleby, Fiscal Officer (ex officio)

Denni Haywood

Anna Kaczmarek

Wade Monroe

Joe Patterson

Matt Peterson

Kristen Votta

Diane Doak, (ex officio)

September is Deaf Awareness Month, a time to honor Deaf culture, raise awareness, and advocate for inclusion. Our latest blog post is your guide to celebrating this important month as a family, with tips and resources to help you embrace Deaf culture and connect with your child’s identity. 🦻✨

Here’s what you’ll find in our blog:

🔷 Explore Deaf Culture: Learn about Deaf history and role models through books, films, and documentaries.

🔷 Participate in Events: Discover local and virtual events that celebrate Deaf Awareness Month.

🔷 Learn Sign Language Together: Find resources for practicing ASL and engaging in sign language learning.

🔷 Support Deaf-Owned Businesses: Shop at Deaf-owned businesses and support the community.

🔷 Advocate for Accessibility: Learn how to promote accessibility and inclusion in your community.

We also share valuable resources for parents, including support from BEGINNINGS and other organizations dedicated to helping families with children who have hearing loss.

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, is a time to honor the rich cultural traditions, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities. 🌎✨ This month highlights the profound impact that Hispanic individuals have had on shaping the nation’s identity, from art and music 🎨🎶 to education 📚 and beyond.

By recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the resilience and creativity of these communities while also addressing the ongoing challenges faced by many Hispanic and Latinx individuals. 💪🏽🌟 It is an opportunity to learn, uplift Hispanic voices, and promote greater understanding across all cultures.

This month encourages everyone to explore Hispanic and Latinx history, support Hispanic-owned businesses 🏪, and engage in meaningful conversations about the role of Hispanic communities in building a brighter future. 🌟🤝 

Check out these featured stories of Hispanic heritage in North Carolina. 

BEGINNINGS is accepting applications for our Grants to Parents program online. This initiative aims to provide essential financial support to help cover hearing-related expenses for families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, residing in North Carolina, and working with a BEGINNINGS Parent Educator.

Key Details: 

🔷 Who Should Apply: BEGINNINGS families who have a child with hearing loss under the age of 22.

🔷 Program Benefits: Small grants that can provide financial assistance to help families with hearing-related expenses.

🔷 How to Apply: Visit our website to complete the application and review eligibility criteria.

The next application deadline is September 30, 2024. 

If you have additional questions about this program and the application, please contact your Parent Educator.

This month, we had the pleasure of connecting with the Sanchez Family. Sofía, the mother, shared insights about her family, including her two wonderful children: Leonardo, who is 12 years old, and Isaías, who is 3 years old. 

Isaías was diagnosed at birth with a conductive hearing loss in both ears, ranging from mild to moderate. He has been a long-awaited blessing, joining the family after nine years of anticipation.

The Sanchez Family works diligently with early education professionals to understand hearing loss and support Isaías's language development. They focus on expanding his vocabulary and communication skills with sign language support, particularly American Sign Language (ASL), which Isaías enjoys using to communicate.

Sofía is also learning sign language, finding significant value in the resources provided by BEGINNINGS. This support has been crucial in enhancing her communication with Isaías and in her learning journey.

Isaías's older brother, Leonardo, plays a supportive role in his life. He cares for and interacts with Isaías, demonstrating a special bond that brings pride to Sofía. Leonardo’s affection and support help Isaías navigate his challenges.

As Isaías approaches school age, Sofia has received invaluable guidance from BEGINNINGS’ Parent Educator, Gheydis Paredes. This support ensures that Isaías gets the best education and necessary services, including the implementation of his Individualized Education Program (IEP) and access to ASL resources for effective communication.

Sofía takes immense pride in Isaías’s progress. Despite his young age, Isaías continually impresses with his communication skills, both through signs and spoken language.

To other families facing similar situations, the Sanchez Family advises perseverance and seeking help without hesitation. Engaging with supportive communities and gathering information is crucial. Asking questions is key to learning how to help children reach their full potential.

🎉🦪 We are excited to extend a special invitation to you and your family for the 5th Annual Oyster Roast & BBQ benefiting BEGINNINGS! 🎉🦪

Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024
Time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: North Hills Club, 4824 Yadkin Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609

What’s Included with Your Ticket:
🍽️ Oysters
🍖 BBQ
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Children's Activities
🍺 Beer & Wine
🎤 Live & Silent Auction

Special Offer for BEGINNINGS Families:
Families enrolled with BEGINNINGS can contact Joanna Chantemerle for a special discount code prior to purchasing tickets! 📩

We hope to see you there for a day of fun, food, and community as we celebrate and support the important work of BEGINNINGS! 🌟

🤝 Friend of BEGINNINGS SPONSOR - $250
Includes 2 tickets and social media recognition.

🔥 Firepit Fan SPONSOR - $500
Includes 4 tickets, name on event signage, and social media recognition.

🍔 'Cue Fan SPONSOR - $1,000
Includes 6 tickets, recognition at the event, logo on event signage, and social media recognition.

🏆 Event Sponsor SPONSOR - $2,500
Includes 8 tickets, your name on our website through Nov. 30, 2024, recognition at the event, logo on event signage with good visibility, and social media recognition.

🌟 Underwriter SPONSOR - $5,000
Includes 12 tickets, logo recognition on website, recognition at the event, best visibility on logo signage, social media recognition, and 12 event tickets.

📅 Join us on September 17 at 7:30 PM for the LatinX Support Group meeting! 🌟

This quarter's meeting will feature our amazing BEGINNINGS Hispanic Outreach Parent Educators: Wilma Rivera and Gheydis Paredes. 👩‍🏫👩‍🏫

Topic:
🎒 Back to School: Supporting Your Child Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing 📚

Learn about:
🔍 The impact of hearing loss on learning
📝 IEPs & 504 Plans
💬 Effective communication strategies for school & home
📣 Advocacy tips for your child's success in school!

Don't miss this valuable opportunity to gain insights and support for your child’s educational journey. See you there! 🌟

🚶‍♂️🎉 Join BEGINNINGS at the 2024 North Carolina Walk4Hearing! 🎉🚶‍♀️

We’re thrilled to invite you to join the BEGINNINGS team at this year’s 2024 North Carolina Walk4Hearing! This exciting event will take place on Sunday, October 13th at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. 🗓️🏟️ 👂

Here’s How You Can Get Involved:

👟 Join Our Team: Sign up to walk with us and be part of our dedicated team! Your participation helps us raise vital funds for programs and services that support families with Deaf or Hard of Hearing children.

💪 Fundraise: Help us reach our fundraising goal by creating your own fundraising page and sharing it with friends and family. Every donation makes a difference!

📣 Spread the Word: Share our team page on social media and encourage others to join or support us. Let’s make a big impact together!

🎊 Event Day: On the day of the Walk4Hearing, come out and show your support. It’s a day of fun, community, and inspiration, and we’d love to see you there!

📚✨ Support Our Parent Educators as School Starts Back! ✨📚

As the new school year kicks off, your support for our Parent Educators is more crucial than ever! 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 These dedicated professionals are committed to empowering parents with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and your contribution helps ensure they can continue their vital work. 💪

How Parent Educators Support Families:

🗣️ Personalized Support: Provide one-on-one assistance to families, helping them navigate the educational needs of their children.

📣 Advocacy: Offer impartial guidance, training, and advocacy, empowering parents to advocate effectively for their child's needs.

👶 Early Intervention: Promote early hearing detection and intervention, ensuring that children receive the support they need from a young age.

📚 Education and Training: Provide information and resources to families and professionals to support and improve positive outcomes for children with hearing loss.

Every donation helps BEGINNINGS sustain these essential services. Support our Parent Educators and contribute to making a difference in the lives of these families by donating today. 🙌💖

Thank you for your generosity and for helping us continue this important mission! 🌟

Gheydis Paredes

Hispanic Outreach
Parent Educator

BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing is committed to empowering all families, including those from immigrant communities, to navigate the complexities of raising a Deaf or Hard of Hearing child. Our Hispanic Outreach Parent Educators play a vital role in bridging the gap between newly arrived families and the resources they need to thrive in the United States.

For immigrant families, arriving in a new country can be overwhelming, especially when caring for a child with hearing loss. Many families are unfamiliar with the medical and educational systems in the U.S., which can create challenges as they seek to meet their child’s needs. Our Hispanic Outreach Parent Educators guide families through every step, providing education, support, and empowerment as they navigate a new life.

Our team supports immigrant families by providing essential education about their child’s hearing loss. But the work of the Hispanic Outreach Parent Educators goes beyond this. Our team also educates parents on:

Navigating the Medical System: We educate families on how to access healthcare services, how to schedule and prepare for medical appointments, and understand the terminology used by ENT’s and audiologists. We also help them identify available financial resources, such as Medicaid or insurance options.

Understanding the Education System: Many immigrant families are unfamiliar with how U.S. schools work, especially with the special education system. We explain laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and help families advocate for services such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Accommodation Plans.

Learning Communication Technology: For families with limited experience in using technology, we teach them how to use tools like email, and video conferencing that help them communicate effectively with teachers and medical providers. We guide them through the use of educational apps and language translation tools, making the digital world less intimidating.

Creating a Support Network: Many immigrant families are isolated from their communities or extended family members. We help them build connections by introducing them to other families with children with hearing loss, whether through support groups or community events.

Empowering Families to Advocate: Our ultimate goal is to empower families to become advocates for their children. Whether it's standing up for their child's educational rights or requesting appropriate accommodations in everyday life, we provide parents with the knowledge and confidence to speak up.

Through our work, we ensure that immigrant families across North Carolina have access to the resources they need to support their children’s development, overcome challenges, and integrate fully into their new communities. Together, we are building a future where every child, no matter where they come from, has the opportunity to succeed.

Have a topic you'd like to see in an upcoming newsletter? Let us know! Send an email to marketing@ncbegin.org on any information you'd like us to feature in a future edition.