In multilingual families, love isn’t just spoken—it’s expressed through actions, gestures, and shared experiences. When a child is Deaf or Hard of Hearing, communication might look different, but the love and effort invested by parents and caregivers stay the same. 💙✨

In our latest blog post, Bilingual Parent Educator Gheydis Paredes dives into the unique ways multilingual families bridge communication. and how communication approaches allow families to ensure that their child’s needs are met, while also celebrating their diverse cultural backgrounds.

💡 What you’ll learn in the blog:
✅ How ASL can serve as a shared language in multilingual families, helping everyone stay connected.
✅ Tips for using spoken language and hearing technologies to support your child’s development.
✅ The role of cued speech in making spoken language more accessible.
✅ The power of Total Communication, combining various methods to meet your child’s unique needs.

Bonus Tips for Multilingual Families:
🌟 Celebrate every small victory and milestone.
🌟 Involve the entire family in learning and practicing communication methods.
🌟 Stay consistent to build confidence and understanding.

This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate the ways families come together to show love in every language—creating meaningful connections across communication methods and cultural backgrounds.

This Black History Month, we honor the rich culture, achievements, and contributions of Black Deaf individuals who have helped shape and strengthen the Deaf community. From trailblazers in education and advocacy to artists, leaders, and storytellers, Black Deaf history is an essential part of Deaf history.

🌍 Diversity makes our community stronger. By recognizing and celebrating different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, we create a more inclusive and accessible world for all. Let’s celebrate, learn, and uplift the Black Deaf community—this month and every month!👏🏽💙 

Check out these Black History Month ASL Resources from the American Society for Deaf Children. 

At BEGINNINGS, we are privileged to work alongside families who inspire us every day. This month, we celebrate the Garcia Martinez Family, whose journey reflects resilience, dedication, and the power of love in action.

Originally from Hidalgo, Mexico, the Garcia Martinez family has navigated the world of hearing loss with unwavering commitment. Their daughter, Gaby, was diagnosed at birth and uses a hearing aid. Thanks to early intervention, dedicated teachers, and strong family support, she has flourished in school and in extracurricular activities like soccer, gymnastics, and swimming. Their son Alex has a unilateral cochlear implant, communicates using American Sign Language (ASL), and is charting an incredible path of independence.

Recognizing his need for an accessible learning environment, Alex’s parents made the difficult decision to enroll him at The Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) in Washington, D.C.—a school that fosters both academic excellence and Deaf culture. While this meant Alex would be away from home, the family knew this opportunity would help him thrive. Today, Alex is excelling in school, playing basketball and soccer, and mastering new life skills—like navigating public transportation, ordering his own meals, and traveling independently on Amtrak. His dream? To work alongside his father in the family’s construction business.

BEGINNINGS has been a vital resource for the Garcia Martinez family since Alex was three years old. Working with Lead Parent Educator Wilma Rivera, they’ve gained access to vocational rehabilitation programs, alerting systems, and guidance on educational transitions. “I thought it wasn’t possible,” Alex’s mom shares, “but through their support, I learned what I could do—like arranging vocational rehabilitation interviews and exploring different school options.”

Beyond services and resources, the family has discovered the power of language and connection. “Learning sign language has opened up a whole new world for us,” Alex’s mom says. “Now, our entire family is involved, and it has strengthened our bond in ways we never imagined.”

Reflecting on their journey, the Garcia Martinez family encourages others to seek out support and ask questions. “BEGINNINGS has the best guidance for children like ours,” Alex’s mom says. “In IEP meetings, they’ve helped me advocate for my child’s needs. They are a tremendous resource for families.”

From celebrating first sounds to empowering first steps toward independence, the Garcia Martinez family reminds us that every milestone is worth celebrating. Their story is one of perseverance, community, and the belief that every child deserves the tools and support to reach their full potential.

We are honored to be a part of their journey and can’t wait to see all that Gaby and Alex will accomplish in the future!

🌟 BEGINNINGS Families—We’ve Got a Special Treat for You! 🌟

This Valentine’s season, we’re feeling the love for our BEGINNINGS community—and we want to share it with YOU! 💙

Join us on Sunday, March 2, 2025, for Community Connections Charlotte, where fun, food, and friendship come together for an afternoon you won’t want to miss! And because we LOVE our families, we’re offering an exclusive discount just for you!

💌 Special Offer for BEGINNINGS Families
BEGINNINGS families can email Joanna Chantemerle for an exclusive discount offer! 🎟️

📅 Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
🕐 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne
📍 15025 Bowl Street, Charlotte, NC

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast—don’t miss out! 

The NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (NCDSDHH) has a fantastic lineup of events this February, and one you won’t want to miss is the Black History Month Panel Discussion: "Passing the Baton" on March 1, 2025. This inspiring event celebrates the rich history and culture of the Black Deaf community through a panel discussion that’s open to parents, children, and community members.

Details:
📅 When: March 1, 2025
⏰ Time: 2 – 5 p.m.
📍 Where: Eastern NC School for the Deaf, Massey Building – Auditorium, Wilson, NC

Make sure to stop by the NCDSDHH booth for valuable resources. Need accommodations? Request by Feb. 15, 2025. For more information and to view all events, visit the NCDSDHH February 2025 Events Calendar.

Looking for a summer camp that caters specifically to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children? There are several exciting camps this year designed to create inclusive environments where kids can thrive, build independence, and make lasting memories.

Spring Camp Cheerio (May 16-18, 2025) offers a weekend getaway in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Families can learn spoken language strategies and share experiences while children enjoy a variety of activities such as crafts, games, hiking, canoeing, and more. A Cued Speech class will be offered for those interested in learning this communication system. Parents and young adults will have the opportunity to participate in group sessions and Cued Speech classes. Learn more about Camp Cheerio.

Gallaudet University Summer Programs offer an array of immersive camps for middle and high school students. Programs include Discover College and Careers (DC²), DC² in STEM, and Bison Filmmakers, among others. Each program provides a unique opportunity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students to explore career interests, discover STEM fields, or learn filmmaking skills. Explore Gallaudet University’s summer camps.

Camp Sertoma (July 27 - August 1, 2025) at Millstone 4-H Center in North Carolina welcomes kids ages 8-16 for a week of fun, adventure, and learning. This camp serves children with any type of hearing loss, as well as CODA (Children of Deaf Adults). Financial assistance is available for qualifying families, making the camp experience accessible to all. Get more information about Camp Sertoma.

These camps provide valuable opportunities for children to connect with peers, gain independence, and explore new skills—all in a supportive, accessible environment. Don't miss out—sign up today!

At BEGINNINGS, we are fortunate to have passionate and dedicated team members who make a lasting impact on the families we serve. This month, we are excited to spotlight Erin Lucas, a Parent Educator who has been a part of our team for an incredible 26 years! Erin’s journey with BEGINNINGS started long before she officially joined the team in 1998. While in college, she learned about our organization and was so inspired by the services we provide that she ordered a Parent Manual—knowing even then that she wanted to be part of BEGINNINGS one day.

Before joining us, Erin worked as a teacher for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing for five years. Her passion for helping families navigate their child’s hearing journey led her to BEGINNINGS, where she has been a guiding light for parents for over two decades.

Erin starts her day with a large cup of coffee before diving into emails, calls, and family visits. She might be on the road traveling to another county to support a family or attending a school meeting to advocate for a child’s needs. No two days are the same, but every day brings meaningful opportunities to empower parents and witness life-changing moments—like when a child hears sound for the first time.

Erin’s approach to life and work is guided by simple yet powerful wisdom:

Erin credits her tight-knit family as her greatest inspiration, always providing love and support. Beyond her work, she finds joy in:

For Erin, BEGINNINGS is more than a workplace—it’s a second family, full of support, collaboration, and shared passion for making a difference. She continues to grow professionally through workshops, networking, and hands-on experiences, all of which strengthen her ability to serve families with knowledge, care, and compassion.

Pictured left to right: Lisa Jolly, Joanna Chantemerle, Erin Lucas, Rhonda Jones, Diane Doak, Wilma Rivera  

The CARE Project held their 7th Annual Parent Professional Collaborative at Wrightsville Beach in January and several BEGINNINGS staff attended. The conference brings together parents of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and the professionals who provide services and support to them. The goal of the annual conference is to enhance relationships between parents and professionals by spending time learning, sharing and growing together. For more information on the CARE Project, visit www.thecareproject.com   

Show your love and support for families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing by becoming a Community Connections Charlotte sponsor! Your sponsorship directly funds vital resources, support, and advocacy for over 1,300 families each year.

🌟 Sponsorship Levels:
💙 $250 Friend of BEGINNINGS – 2 event tickets & social media recognition
🏅 $500 Bronze Sponsor – 4 tickets, event signage, & social media recognition
🥈 $1,000 Silver Sponsor – 6 tickets, logo placement, & emcee recognition
🏆 $2,500 Gold Sponsor – 8 tickets, premium visibility & extended website recognition
💎 $5,000 Platinum Sponsor – 12 tickets, top-tier exposure, & VIP recognition

💡 Act fast—sponsorship opportunities are limited! Secure your spot today:

We are incredibly grateful to our generous sponsors for their support of Community Connections Charlotte. A special thank you to our Bronze Sponsors, Raleigh Educational Coaching and Don & Joanna Chantemerle, as well as our Friend of BEGINNINGS Sponsors, Maggie Clay Love Consulting, TowneBank, HLAA Charlotte Chapter, Gallaudet University, Andrew & Candace Price, Carter Hears!, Dr. Thomas Young, Doug & Diane Doak, Cannon Pharmacy-South Kannapolis, Auditory Options for Families with Hearing Loss, New Chapter Realty, LLC, and Children's Cochlear Implant Center at UNC. Your commitment helps us provide essential resources, advocacy, and support for families of children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Thank you for making a difference!

Diane Doak
Executive Director

I love the month of February.  It is a short month. My daffodils bloom and bluebirds begin to nest.  We have Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Black History Month, National Heart Month and at least 80 other month-long celebrations.  

But this year we started the month with uncertainty.  Federal programs, regulations and rules were suddenly changed, and many were changed several times.  I and other Executive Directors flocked to webinars explaining the Executive Orders and the impact it may have on OUR non-profit.  I want to answer any questions that you have about BEGINNINGS.

BEGINNINGS is strong financially and not at risk of losing funding.  We don’t currently have any federal grants, and the NC Legislature is not freezing any of their current grants.  

BEGINNINGS primary work with families is to help them understand their child’s medical diagnosis of hearing loss and then to empower them to advocate for their child’s equal access to a free and appropriate public education.  These are both generally accepted rights for everyone and we will provide these services to all families while protecting their dignity.

BEGINNINGS doesn’t need to change any of our current policies or how we provide services to families.  While BEGINNINGS has a DEI Policy, we use it to affirm the diversity within our staff and the families we serve rather than to impact the hiring process or promotions.  Our goal is to be inclusive to all, regardless of race, gender, or residential status.  BEGINNINGS doesn’t require parents to provide federal identification and we don’t document the gender identity of the parent.  We will continue to use the preferred pronoun for the parent or child out of respect for the parent‘s choice.  

I know there is confusion and fear during this time, especially if you are reading this newsletter in a language other than English.  But be assured that your BEGINNINGS Parent Educator is available to meet with you, in any location you feel comfortable, or virtually if that is your choice. 

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.