🧡 November is Microtia and Atresia Awareness Month! At BEGINNINGS, we’re recognizing the strength, resilience, and love of families navigating life with these unique hearing differences. Our latest blog post, Listening with Heart: Supporting Families of Children with Microtia and Atresia, provides insights, resources, and community connections to empower families on their journey. 💬💙

Read more about the importance of understanding these conditions, hearing options, and support for building confidence and joy in each child’s unique story. You are not alone, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!

This month, we honor the incredible parents and caregivers of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Your strength, dedication, and love are the foundation of your child’s journey, and your role as an advocate, teacher, and cheerleader makes a world of difference. 💙

From navigating hearing aids and cochlear implants to learning ASL or creating inclusive educational plans, you’re laying the path for your child to thrive. Let’s celebrate your resilience and the support you provide every day.

Thank you for being the heart of your family’s journey!

Learn more about how BEGINNINGS can support your caregiving journey.

BEGINNINGS is hiring two bilingual (Spanish-English) Parent Educators to support Spanish-speaking families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. This role is crucial for building trust and empowering families with tools and resources to help their children thrive. 💙

🌟 Why Apply?
As a Hispanic Outreach Parent Educator, you’ll have the opportunity to:

🤝 Build Relationships: Serve as a trusted contact for families, offering culturally relevant support and guidance.

🌱 Empower Families: Help parents navigate educational and healthcare systems, including advocacy during school meetings and understanding IEP and 504 Plans.

📢 Educate & Advocate: Raise awareness within the Hispanic community about hearing loss, early detection, and intervention.

🌐 Engage Locally: Strengthen partnerships and enhance community visibility, participating in events and outreach.

📍 Locations Available:

Eastern NC (Wilson & surrounding counties)

Central NC (Forsyth & surrounding counties)

This month, we’re honored to share the story of the Nolasco-Islas family, whose journey with hearing loss has shaped a resilient, connected family. Originally from Mexico, Maria and Justino now call Granville County home, where they are raising their two children, Denisse (9) and Jayden (7). Jayden, diagnosed with Microtia and Atresia at birth, uses a BAHA device to support his hearing, and his family is dedicated to his growth, connection, and happiness.

The Nolasco-Islas family’s journey with Jayden’s hearing loss began at birth, but the months following his diagnosis were challenging, as Maria processed the realities of her son’s condition. Through their audiologist, Maria and Justino connected with BEGINNINGS and Parent Educator Wilma Rivera, who became a source of information and encouragement. “Joining the parent support group has been wonderful,” Maria shares. “Meeting other kids and families brings me joy, and I think it helps Jayden to feel he’s not the only one.”

Navigating the healthcare and educational systems has presented unique challenges for Maria and Justino, particularly in ensuring Jayden has the same opportunities as other children. Early intervention support has been instrumental in helping Jayden achieve developmental milestones alongside his peers. Maria recalls the dedication required to support his progress and give him the attention he needed to thrive. “Our goal has always been to make sure he is as well as possible with his condition.”

Through their parent support group, Maria has discovered the value of learning from other parents and helping Jayden connect with kids who share similar experiences. “Ensuring he stays positive is very important,” she emphasizes. By listening to others’ stories and seeing Jayden socialize, Maria is reassured that her son is growing with confidence, resilience, and joy. Jayden, now in elementary school, loves soccer, baseball, and helping with household tasks—this fall, he proudly took on the job of raking leaves!

Maria’s advice to other families beginning their journey with Microtia and Atresia is heartfelt: “Have a lot of patience, a positive attitude, and find ways to overcome challenges. Meet other families so you don’t feel like you’re the only one.” The Nolasco-Islas family has found connection through events like BEGINNINGS Family Days and the North Carolina Walk4Hearing, which remind them they are not alone and offer vital resources to support Jayden.

Maria and Justino also want to remind other families about available resources, such as financial support through BEGINNINGS Grants to Parents and other organizations dedicated to supporting families of children with hearing loss. Their journey with Jayden continues with joy, resilience, and the power of community—one step at a time.

🌟BEGINNINGS' Spring 2025 Community Connections Event 🌟

📅 When: March 2, 2025 | 🕐 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Where: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne, Charlotte

Mark your calendars for an afternoon of food, fun, and community! Join us as we support families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing with a delicious lunch buffet, handcrafted beers, children’s activities, and exciting live & silent auctions.

Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to see you there! 💙

Pictured Left to Right: Rhonda Jones; Kelleigh Bland; Deborah Stroud; Wilma Rivera; Karen Thomas; Sherri Little; Joanna Chantemerle; Erin Lucas; Toni Malone; Lisa Jolly; Diane Doak; Mary Beth Sholar; Gheydis Paredes; Joan Burton

All the staff at BEGINNINGS traveled from throughout North Carolina to attend their Annual Staff Retreat at Wrightsville Beach in October. We stepped away from our home offices and daily routines to share ideas, participate in educational training, share fellowship and promote teamwork. Our team discussed the launch of our new Transition to Kindergarten program that will be developed by funds given through the Ragland Foundation. We are growing again and plan to hire two additional Parent Educators this year. The weather was beautiful and a wonderful experience was had by all!

Originally from Florida, I am the eldest of five siblings. Growing up in a household where both of my parents are deaf, I was immersed in American Sign Language (ASL) from an early age. This experience gave me a unique perspective on language, communication, and the challenges faced by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

After high school, I pursued higher education, first attending community college and then the University of South Florida in Tampa. I furthered my studies with a Master’s in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University. My career journey has taken me through various roles in Vocational Rehabilitation and Higher Education, each helping me grow and develop a deeper understanding of the diverse needs of individuals, particularly those with hearing loss.

Discovering BEGINNINGS
My journey with BEGINNINGS began when I was actively searching for opportunities to work with deaf and hard-of-hearing children. I was drawn to the organization’s mission and resources, and I was thrilled to discover how my background and passion aligned with the services BEGINNINGS provides.

The critical early years of a child’s life are foundational to their future, and I’m deeply passionate about early intervention, especially when it comes to language and literacy. At BEGINNINGS, I have the privilege of working with parents during these pivotal stages, offering support and guidance as they navigate hearing loss in their child. I’m incredibly grateful for the trust families place in me, allowing me to provide resources and be part of such an important chapter in their child’s life.

My Role at BEGINNINGS
At BEGINNINGS, I serve as a Parent Educator. I work directly with families of deaf and hard-of-hearing children to offer education, resources, and emotional support. My role is centered around empowering parents with the knowledge and tools they need to support their child’s development, especially regarding hearing loss.

What I enjoy most about my job is witnessing those “aha” moments when parents gain a clearer understanding of their child’s individual needs and feel more confident in navigating their journey. I find the work particularly rewarding when I’m able to support families with infants and also help guide students as they prepare for life after high school.

A Fun Fact About Me
One fun fact that many of my colleagues may not know is that I experienced my first snow, plane ride, and international trip all in one go! During high school, I was selected as an exchange student, and I traveled to Moldova with a group from my school. This life-changing trip opened my eyes to different cultures and perspectives, and it sparked a desire to explore the world. The lessons I learned from that experience have stayed with me ever since, and I encourage all college students to consider studying abroad if given the chance. It was truly transformative.

Who Inspires Me
Professionally and personally, my greatest inspiration comes from my family. I am fortunate to be surrounded by incredible individuals who have overcome their own challenges. My parents, both of whom are deaf, my sister with sickle cell disease, and my brother who is visually impaired, have all faced adversity with resilience and grace. Their ability to persevere despite their challenges is awe-inspiring. They are my everyday heroes, and their strength motivates me to keep pushing forward and helping others do the same.

Looking Ahead
As I continue my work at BEGINNINGS, I remain passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and their families. My goal is to always provide the best support possible, empowering parents and helping children with hearing loss achieve their fullest potential.

A sincere thank you to all of our amazing sponsors and in-kind donors for your generous support of the 5th Annual Oyster Roast & BBQ! Your contributions play a vital role in helping us provide essential resources and services to families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We are truly grateful for your commitment to our cause and for making this event a memorable success!

Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to our mission. We couldn’t do it without you! 💙 Your contributions are making a meaningful impact on the lives of families with children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing across North Carolina.

Joanna Chantemerle, 
Associate Executive Director

This month marks 21 years of working for BEGINNINGS, a milestone that fills me with gratitude and joy. I have had the privilege of serving as a Parent Educator for over a decade, becoming the Lead Parent Educator in 2016, the Director of Programs in 2018, and this year, I was promoted to Associate Executive Director. As I reflect on the families I have supported and the relationships I’ve built with professionals throughout North Carolina, I feel a deep sense of appreciation. BEGINNINGS has evolved significantly over the years, and I believe we have done an excellent job of adapting to meet the needs of our community.

When I started at BEGINNINGS in 2003, we had offices in Charlotte and Raleigh, and all staff worked from one of these locations. Over ten years ago, we recognized the need for Parent Educators to reside in various regions to effectively serve all 100 counties. This innovative shift allowed us to transition our Parent Educators to home offices long before remote work became commonplace. Embracing cloud-based services enabled us to close the Charlotte office, consolidating our administration to one location in Raleigh.

Before COVID-19, most of our direct services were provided in person, requiring us to travel hundreds of miles each month to meet families' needs. In March 2020, we quickly adapted to offer video services, and our service delivery is now hybrid. Parent Educators continue to travel extensively for face-to-face meetings, but they also conduct home visits and attend school meetings virtually too. Over the years, we’ve developed exceptional resources for families and professionals, and we take great pride in our products, website, and newsletter, which share valuable information and activities.

BEGINNINGS serves families from birth until the age of 22, allowing me to work with families as their children grew from infants to graduates of high school and even college. I am truly grateful for this unique experience at BEGINNINGS. I am passionate about our mission and look forward to many more years of serving our families and the professionals who support them. As November arrives—a month for reflection and gratitude—I am especially thankful for all that BEGINNINGS has given me and my family.

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