This month, we’re proud to shine our Employee Spotlight on Kelleigh Bland, Director of Programs at BEGINNINGS. Kelleigh brings deep compassion, steady guidance, and a genuine love for helping families navigate the journey of raising a child who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Her path to BEGINNINGS started during her first year as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It was then that she met several Parent Educators and saw firsthand the impact they had on the families she served. “I learned so much just by listening to how they reworded things for parents and how well-prepared those parents were for their meetings,” she shared. Kelleigh found herself regularly encouraging families to meet with their Parent Educator beforehand and even helped them brainstorm questions to ask.

After years of partnering with BEGINNINGS from the outside, Kelleigh was asked to consider applying for a position, and the rest is history. She still remembers the nerves leading up to the interview: picking outfits with friends over grainy flip-phone photos, navigating Raleigh on crutches with a bright green cast covered in crayon handprints, and nearly wiping out in the parking lot in one shoe. But despite the chaos, she left with a job offer and a celebratory trip to Yum Yum’s with her husband. That moment has since inspired a tradition, taking each new Parent Educator out for ice cream during their first few weeks on the team. Kelleigh officially joined BEGINNINGS in November 2014 and has been an essential part of our organization ever since.

In her role at BEGINNINGS, Kelleigh leads with heart and intention. She values seeing families walk away from conversations feeling heard, supported, and empowered. One of her proudest accomplishments has been expanding services to reach more families across the state, especially those in rural areas. Her colleagues admire her steady presence and ability to balance the big picture with the personal details that matter most.

Outside of her professional life, Kelleigh has a long-standing connection to sign language that began in childhood. At just 12 years old, she taught herself the alphabet from a book about Helen Keller. With support from her mom and grandfather, she joined a local community college class—becoming the youngest student in the room. “I still have that book 40 years later,” she said. “And I still think the signs in my head when I talk.” Her early love for language and connection continues to shine through in all she does today.

We’re so grateful for Kelleigh’s leadership, insight, and the unwavering support she gives to our team and the families we serve.

When Blair came into the world, she brought joy, surprise, and a new chapter of learning and love for the Barker Family. Born on her parents’ third wedding anniversary, Blair is their first child, a precious blessing who has already filled their hearts with laughter and resilience.

Blair was diagnosed with severe hearing loss in her left ear at birth, and a microtia diagnosis followed shortly after. As first-time parents, the Barkers were navigating the newness of parenthood while processing a diagnosis they hadn’t anticipated. “Being a first-time mother, having a new baby is scary within itself,” Blair’s mom shared. “Blair being born with microtia was a surprise and added more fear to this new journey.”

That’s where BEGINNINGS came in. Parent Educator Lisa Jolly has walked alongside the Barker family since the early days, offering more than just information. “Working with BEGINNINGS has been so helpful to our family,” they said. “Having BEGINNINGS on our team has provided wonderful information and most importantly, support for us.”

Blair is now giggling and cooing, a milestone that fills her family with pride and joy. “I’m most proud of Blair laughing at us,” her mom shared. “A big worry of ours was that she wouldn’t be as responsive to us, but she’s started giggling and cooing and it’s the sweetest thing!”

The Barkers have embraced each part of this journey, the highs and the challenges, with honesty and heart. “Learning that your child is deaf or hard of hearing is extremely difficult,” they shared. “At first, I was mad that my child has this diagnosis. Some days I’m still mad and upset that she’s going to have to go on this journey. But don’t let that take away from the amazing experience parenthood is.”

To other families just beginning their own journeys, Blair’s mom offers this heartfelt advice: “It is okay to feel all of the feelings. Some days are better than others, and that’s completely okay. Reach out to others who have been on this journey, because you are most definitely not alone.”

From sweet walks with Blair to moments of unexpected laughter, the Barker Family reminds us that even in the midst of uncertainty, love and support light the way.

Ready for a sunny Sunday full of fun, connection, and community?

Join us on Sunday, September 21st from 2–5 PM at the awesome Waterman’s Brewing Company in Wilmington for an afternoon designed just for YOU!

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bring the whole family to:
🌟 Connect with other amazing families
🤝 Meet professionals who understand your journey
🎉 Enjoy great food, drinks, and beachy good times (no sand in your shoes required!)

These moments of connection mean so much to our BEGINNINGS families, and they wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous sponsors. A special thank-you to TowneBank, whose sponsorship is helping us bring this event to life!

Interested in making a difference and supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing? Sponsorships start at just $250 and include event perks like tickets, recognition, and the joy of knowing you’re helping build stronger communities.

Join us for the next LatinX Support Group Meeting!

🗓️ Date: Thursday, July 17
🕢 Time: 7:30 PM (EST)
💻 Where: Zoom – https://duke.zoom.us/j/95933417576  

🎒 Topic: Ready for School – Tools and Tips for Supporting Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children

Get ready for the new school year with expert guidance from our BEGINNINGS team! This session will cover:

✅ How hearing loss impacts learning
✅ IEP and 504 Plan basics and how to advocate
✅ Practical strategies for school and home
✅ Access to our Educational Video Library for ongoing support

🎙️ Presented by BEGINNINGS team members:
💠Wilma Rivera, Lead Parent Educator, Bilingual Spanish
💠Gheydis Paredes, Parent Educator, Bilingual Spanish

🌎 Presentations are primarily in Spanish, but interpreters are available for English-speaking families.

This event is brought to you in partnership with UNC, Duke, Med-El, Advanced Bionics, BEGINNINGS, and Triunfa Caracol Latino.

Walk with BEGINNINGS on October 12! 🎉👣❤️
Celebrate over 30 years of support, empowerment, and connection with BEGINNINGS for Parents of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc.

Since 1987, we’ve proudly served families by providing emotional support, access to vital information, and a welcoming community for children and young adults with hearing loss. 💙👂👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

The Hearing Loss Association of America’s Walk4Hearing is more than just a walk—it’s a movement to raise awareness, advocate for hearing health rights, and build connections among people affected by hearing loss. 🎗️🦻

Funds raised support educational resources, advocacy efforts, and a strong network of support across the country.

We invite you to join Team BEGINNINGS or donate to help us continue this important work.
Every step you take with us brings hope, empowerment, and awareness to our incredible community. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️💪

The NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDSDHH) has a fantastic lineup of events happening across the state this July—creating great opportunities for individuals who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind to connect, learn, and celebrate.

Here are three upcoming events to check out: 
📍 Disability Pride Month: Celebrating 35 Years of the ADA
July 19 | 1:00–4:00 PM | Raleigh Convention Center
Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with resources, community organizations, entertainment, and accessibility services including ASL interpretation, captioning, and assistive listening devices.

⚽ Kick4Hearing – Goombay Adventurers
July 19 | 9:00 AM | Hornets Nest Park, Charlotte
Get moving for a cause! Join the fun at this inclusive event that raises awareness and builds community through sports and connection. All are welcome—register and bring your team spirit!

🏓 Deaf Pickleball in Wilmington
July 27 | 5:00–7:00 PM | Northern Regional Park, Castle Hayne
Grab a paddle and join the fun! Whether you’re new to pickleball or a seasoned player, this event offers a great way to get active and connect with the local Deaf community.

The North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities (NCCDD) wants to hear from you!

NCCDD is currently gathering input to help shape its 2027–2031 Five-Year State Plan, and your feedback will play a vital role in setting priorities for services, supports, and advocacy for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) across our state.

This is a unique opportunity to ensure the voices of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals with I/DD are heard—along with the families, caregivers, and professionals who support them. Your experiences, concerns, and ideas can directly influence how the state invests resources and creates programs in the coming years.

📝 Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey and share what matters most to you:

Complete the Survey

If you need the survey in a different format or have questions about the planning process, reach out to NCCDD:
📞 Office/TTY: 984-920-8209
📞 Toll-Free: 800-357-6916
📧 Email: NCFYP@nccdd.org

Want to learn American Sign Language (ASL) on the go? Check out these amazing apps designed to make ASL learning fun, interactive, and accessible for everyone! 📱✨

👋 SignSchool — A FREE, video-based learning platform with interactive lessons, grammar tips, and a searchable ASL dictionary. Plus, get your daily Sign of the Day and flashcard reviews! Start learning anytime, anywhere: https://www.signschool.com/  

🤟 The ASL App — Focused on conversational ASL, this app offers 2,000+ signs and phrases, easy navigation, and multiple signers to help you learn naturally. Perfect for beginners and beyond! Start signing today: https://theaslapp.com/  

📚 VL2 Storybook — Sponsored by Gallaudet University, this app gives access to bilingual ASL and English storybooks for grades K-12. You can even create your own stories to practice ASL! Explore it here: https://vl2storybookapps.com/  

Whether you’re a parent, student, or just curious, these tools make ASL learning accessible and engaging. Ready to start signing? 🙌

Do you need financial assistance for hearing-related expenses? The Grants to Parents Program is here to help! 💙

This small grant supports families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, permanently residing in North Carolina, and working with a BEGINNINGS Parent Educator.

💰 Eligible expenses include:
✔️ Hearing aid fittings, maintenance & accessories
✔️ Transportation costs to audiology appointments
✔️ Audiology & ENT visits for self-pay families
✔️ Access to a chosen communication modality

📌 Important Notes:
✅ Complete the application in one session (the webpage does not save progress).
✅ Review the criteria & required documents before applying.
✅ Your Parent Educator can assist you!

🗓️ Upcoming Deadline: July 31

💙 Thanks to the Ragland Family Foundation, SERTOMA Club of Raleigh, HLAA, and The Junior League of Raleigh for making this possible!

Last month, Parent Educator Erin Lucas joined families at the CARE Project Family Fun Day at Wrightsville Beach, and what a beautiful day it was!

👧👦 Children played and made memories, while parents had the chance to connect, share, and build community with others raising children with hearing loss. 💬💞

A big thank you to The CARE Project for providing lunch and hosting such a meaningful event for families. 🍴💙

At BEGINNINGS, we travel across North Carolina from Wilmington to Asheville and everywhere in between to meet families where they are.

This week, we’re highlighting Emilio Gonzalez, one of our dedicated Bilingual Parent Educators, who is always ready to go the extra mile (literally!) to support families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

No matter where we are in the state, our commitment remains the same: to serve our families with the very best care, always leading with heart. 💙

⚾🦖 What a Night at the Ballpark! 🎉

Thank you to all the families who joined us for BEGINNINGS Night at the Charlotte Knights on June 22. We had an absolute blast! 💙🙌

We were honored to be selected as the nonprofit partner for the evening, and it was incredible to see so many families coming together to support children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

A HUGE shoutout to Ed’s Dinosaurs Live for bringing the prehistoric party to life, the dino fun was a hit with kids and adults alike! 🦕🦖✨

As we launch into our 2025–2026 fiscal year, we're energized by the impact we've made together—and even more excited about what’s ahead.

This past year, BEGINNINGS supported over 1,300 families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing across North Carolina. 💛

Every one of those families received hope, answers, and guidance—because of YOU. Your support helped parents navigate uncertainty, learn to advocate, and find a path forward for their child’s future.

At BEGINNINGS, every dollar directly supports our mission: to empower families through education, resources, and compassionate connection. As we enter a new year of service, we invite you to continue walking alongside us.

Every gift makes a difference!
💙 Become a Sustaining Donor – Make a lasting impact with a monthly gift that helps us plan ahead.
🎁 Give a One-Time Donation – Support the tools and training that change lives.
🌟 Honor a Loved One – Celebrate someone special with a tribute or memorial gift.
🔁 Double Your Impact – Ask your employer about matching gift programs!

Thank you for being part of the BEGINNINGS family. Your generosity continues to bring life-changing support to families across the state—and we couldn’t do it without you.

📝 To give online: https://ncbegin.org/how-to-help/
📬 Mail to: BEGINNINGS, 156 Wind Chime Court, Suite A, Raleigh, NC 27615
📞 Questions? Call us at 1-800-541-HEAR (4327)

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.