2016 Annual Report

Table of Contents

Letter from Leadership 3Youth and Family 4Community 6Communication Access 8Whom Do We Help? 10Who Supports Us? 12Who Works With Us? 13Who Donates to Us? 14How Can You Help? 16Financial Statement 17Who are we? 18

MissionThe mission of Deaf Empowerment Awareness

Foundation, Inc. is to Empower, raise Awareness, and bridge a sustainable Foundation of

communication and equal access to both the deaf/hard of hearing and the hearing communities

in the St. Louis metro area.

VisionThe organization’s primary vision is to provide

services for deaf/hard of hearing, hearing individuals, and the community in the St. Louis

metro area as a whole to ensure effective communication and cultural awareness. This

purpose is accomplished through a meaningful unity of community outreach, training, education, advocacy, media, visual arts, and interpreting. The vision reflects a strong sense of community where the deaf/hard of hearing and hearing communities are empowered and aware of the importance of

equal access to all.This annual report is printed with recycled paper.

Front Cover: Members of the St. Louis Deaf Teen ClubBack Cover: Summer Sign Day Camp Participants

Dear Community Friends,

There is a story about a powerful East African tribe called the Masai. They have a unique manner of greeting one another; “Kasserian Ingera?” one would ask, and “Sapati Ingera” is the reply. This translates to, “How are the children?” to which the response is always, “The children are well.” The greeting shows the importance of all individuals involved in that community, especially those who are easily neglected. We all matter, and we all have a civic responsibility to our community to ensure effective communication access for everyone. It truly does take a village.

Communication barriers, whether in a simple exchange of greeting or during a medical emergency, create injustice and inequality for our entire community. This is why DEAF, Inc. works to ensure that communication access be a fundamental civil right for all deaf/hard of hearing individuals. It is with pride that we share our 2016 Annual Report showing you how we bring this message to fruition.

You, our giving & supportive community, help us to accomplish our goals. Our dedicated donor base, army of volunteers, and ardent collaborators enable us to succeed. Please join DEAF, Inc. in driving for social change, in breaking the cycle of inaccessibility and in creating opportunities for all to live equally. Together, we are changing lives. Thank you.

I now ask you, Kasserian Ingera?

Thomas Horejes, PhD.Executive Director

Nate DissiPresident of the Board

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Letter from Leadership

Summer Sign Day CampThe parents cried for joy after seeing their deaf child finally make a deaf friend at our Summer Sign Day Camp.

National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes

DEAF, Inc. was one of the few organizations selected by the National Deaf Center at The University of Texas – Austin to provide support in postsecondary deaf education.

Advancing Collaboration DEAF, Inc. partnered with a premier oral deaf school to help educate its students and parents about sign language and the deaf community.

DEAF, Inc. is committed to supporting deaf/hard of hearing youth and their family members through outreach, youth & family programming, and collaboration with other deaf-focused organizations.

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Youth and Family – Your Support Changes Lives

Deaf Teen ClubDEAF, Inc. provided a safe place for deaf/hard of hearing teens to congregate with their peers. There are over 48+ members of the Deaf Teen Club.

DEAF, Inc. unveiled a series of videos called DeafThat, an informative channel for the deaf/hard of hearing and hearing community. DeafThat bring you stories, tips and information

that are shaping the Deaf community. Scan here to see our most popular episode - Baby Sign Language, that has

received over 2 million views.

Parent Support Group

Thanks to DEAF, Inc., Hands & Voices, a parent-led advocacy organization, is now a chapter in the State of Missouri.

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A grateful mother told DEAF, Inc. that her child had been waiting for the Signing Santa event for months and on that day, he woke up at 4 a.m. fully dressed and ready to meet Deaf Santa.

Signing Santa Event

Community

Cancer Care Packages

Pink Wings of Hope, a DEAF, Inc. sponsored cancer support group, gave care packages to deaf patients going through treatment.

Enrichment Workshops

DEAF, Inc. conducted workshops throughout the year on meaningful topics such as interpreting for medical & legal issues, ethics & confidentiality, proper cultural etiquette, and ASL instruction.

First Responders TrainingIn 2016, DEAF, Inc. provided training sessions to first responders to improve communication and safety when working with the deaf/hard of hearing community.

“The training...proved to be be very successful and extremely beneficial to our police department...”

City of Chesterfield Police

To see the complete testimony, scan the QR code.6

Cases in 2016 Referral Assistance Communication

Health Care AdvocacyDEAF, Inc. advocated for improved healthcare for deaf and hard of hearing patients by educating nurses and doctors about communication access.

Domestic Violence SupportDEAF, Inc. partnered with The LEAD Institute, a domestic violence organization, to provide direct services to deaf domestic violence survivors.

Deaf AdvocacyThrough empowerment and advocacy, DEAF, Inc. directly assisted the deaf/hard of hearing community to cooperatively remedy their challenges such as communication barriers and discrimination into positive outcomes. 7

61%

37%

2% 96 Total Cases Served in 2016

Communication AccessInterpreting EnhancementsMonthly workshops were provided to ensure our interpreters receive the latest training in ethics, techniques and professional development.

Emergency ServicesDEAF, Inc. has sign language interpreters and coordinators on call 24/7/365 where a person, not an answering machine takes your call - a rarity in other agencies. Your support allows the deaf community to have the full access it needs.

Interpreting Hours Per Year

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1708Total Interpreting Services

Requested in 2016

8008 8542 89229700

14539

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Telecommunication AccessiblityDEAF, Inc. is a state sanctioned communications access technology demonstration center. This service enables our clients with moderate hearing loss to talk on the phone with their loved ones.

ASL TranslationWe partnered with the Missouri History Museum on an Accessibility project where we installed QR codes in the museum which connect from audio to ASL translated videos so deaf patrons can access educational information.

Sign Language ClassesOver 120 participants signed up for our 6-week sign language classes. Participants included parents, neighbors, medical professionals, co-workers, and police officers.

To see an example of ASL translation from the Route 66 exhibition at the Missouri History Museum, scan the QR code on the right.

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Whom Do We Help?“DEAF, Inc. reached out to invite me to a meeting about establishing a Missouri Chapter of Hands & Voices. DEAF, Inc. has been instrumental in our journey, by providing interpreters, safe space and technology. They also reached out to their contacts to help build a diverse Board of Directors for the Missouri Chapter.”

Lauren FreemanPresidentMissouri Chapter of Hands & Voices

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“It has been such a struggle for us to find other children for Nicholas to play with. None of the many groups, activities, organizations that Nicholas has attended has provided a peer group for him until we discovered the Summer Sign Day Camp.”

Dr. Pam Leonard-KukorolaParent

“The ASL classes offered by DEAF, Inc. are awesome! It felt easier and more fun with the smaller class sizes and personal interaction. I will definitely be back to continue advancing my knowledge to better communicate with the deaf community.”

Ryan BrownClass Attendee

“Pink Wings of Hope helped me a lot with guidance while I am dealing with breast cancer. I am truly grateful for the support provided by Annette Nitko and other members of Pink Wings of Hope. Thank you all for everything.”

Lynn Stroud 1-year Survivor

Who Supports Us?

Pujols Family Foundation Logo.PMS: 485 RedPMS: 1807 MaroonBlack

These are some of the organizations that gave us funding, supported our work with youth & family, and provided resources! Thank you for your support.

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#0558

Who Works With Us?These are some of the organizations who collaborated with us to bring our

mission to life. Thank you for your support!

www.gslad.org

MCDHHMISSOURI COMMISSION FOR THE

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

MCDHHMISSOURI COMMISSION FOR THE

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

MCDHHMISSOURI COMMISSION FOR THE

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

MCDHHMISSOURI COMMISSION FOR THE

DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

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Corporations ($1000+)AHRA RealtyCenter for Hearing & Balance DisordersEisenberg & BaumFenton Family Dentistry Pujols Family FoundationScottrade, Inc. St. Louis Community FoundationThe UPS Store #0558Washington UniversityWells Fargo Advisors

Corporations ($500 to $999)Civic AccessGSLADRoute 66 PromotionsSorenson CommunicationsZVRS

Corporations ($100 to $499)Central Institute for the Deaf Charter Communications, Inc.Chick-fil-AChill-PakCommerce Bancshares Foundation Deaf Community CenterDixon GolfGrey Eagle DistributorsHearing Health CarePark Avenue Mansion Relay MOSaint Louis Chapter of MOAD WWT Asynchrony Labs

Auction Donors ($100+)Design 52Fenton Family DentistryJim ButlerNitko Art Nothing Bundt CakesOberweisPappy’s SmokehouseQue Pasa Rick Rush Art Spectacular Eyes 4YouSt. Louis BluesSt. Louis Cardinals Trader JoesUrban ChestnutZeal Sunglasses

Who Donated?We are grateful for your support. Thank you for your generosity.

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Individuals ($500+)Annette and Carolyn AllenAnonymousThomas AntonDeborah CrowellDavid and Angie Officer

Individuals ($100 - $499)AnonymousMatt Armstrong Dennis DonnellyThe Horejes FamilyElizabeth EarleyMike FinneranAmy GlennWilliam GrahamJacques and Nancy HerzogDaryl JohnsonDominic LacyJoan and Jim MestresAnthony and Annette Nitko Jr.Anthony and Veronica Nitko Sr.

Aruna Rajagopalan Amy and Emery ReuschKatherine Roadway Anthony RossabiDaniel and Donna SchreinerJames and Geneva ShearburnMary ShearburnTom ShearburnWilliam and Julie ShearburnWilliam B. SheldonJessica and Luke StergosMichele Wolford

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How Can You Help Us?Simple – by doing these three things.

Donate Today!

Volunteer!

Spread the Word!

Donate today by using our Donate Now feature on our website - donate.deafinc.org. One time and recurring gifts are much needed to support our mission.

Volunteer! Sign up to ensure our workshops, fundraisers, outreach events and classes are successful!

Spread the Word! If you know someone who will benefit from our mission, tell them to contact us. If you know someone who would like to help us with our mission, encourage them too!

Use the QR code for direct link to our Donation section

online.

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Sign for “donate”

Sign for “volunteer”

Sign for “networking”

Statement of ActivitiesFor the year ended December 31, 2016

Public Support and RevenueContributions $627,778Grants $10,167 Special events (gross) $18,264Program Service Fees and Misc. Revenue $930,902Investment Income $960 Total Support and Revenue $1,588,071

ExpensesProgram Services $1,123,822Administration $189,615Fundraising $123,032 Total Expenses $1,436,469

Change in Net Assets $151,602

Net Assets, Beginning of the Year $324,460

Net Assets, End of theYear $476,062

Statement of Financial PositionFor the year ended December 31, 2016

Assets Current Assets $483,888 Property and Equipment, net $14,144 Artwork and Memorabilia $21,700 Organizational Costs, net $2,454Total Assets $522,186

Liabilities and Net Assets Current Liabilities $46,124 Unrestricted Net Assets $465,895 Tempoarily Restricted $10,167Total Liablities and Net Assets $522,186

- Program Services- Contributions- Special Events-Grants

Income Sources58.6%

39.6%

1.2%

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0.6%

Board of DirectorsEight of the eleven board members are deaf/hard of hearing. Their diverse backgrounds include being a priest, dentist, cochlear Implant surgeon, social worker, entrepreneur, speech and language pathologist, interpreter, and financial advisor.

Nate Dissi President Since 2015

Dale RoethemeyerVice President Since 2015

Amy ReuschSecretarySince 2014

Daniel SchreinerTreasurerSince 2015

Thomas Otto-Bruc

Since 2012

Dr. JacquesHerzog

Since 2014

AnandRaj

Since 2014

Fr. Thomas Coughlin

Since 2015

Sarah Prechtel

Since 2014

Dr. JessicaNieva

Since 2015

Eric Driskill

Since 2016

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Dedicated StaffDr. Thomas HorejesExecutive Director

Tony NitkoMarketing Director

LibbyOxenhamDirector of Interpreting Services

James ShearburnCommunity Development Officer

Michele SteeleFinance Manager

AmberBrownInterpreting Manager

LeslieBrownInterpreter Coordinator

JacksonBusenbarkMarketing Director, NDC

ThomasGreenCommunity Engagement Coordinator

AnnetteNitkoSupport Group Coordinator

JasonRobertsMediaSpecialist

DevonWhitmoreCommunityAdvocate

Seventy five percent of the DEAF, Inc. staff is deaf/hard of hearing. They

bring to DEAF, Inc. their diversified

backgrounds including

social justice, entrepreneurship,

advocacy, regulatory advocacy, youth

mentoring, media, marketing,

interpreting, financial accounting, sales,

community outreach, fundraising,

and program management.

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25 East Frisco Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119Front Desk: (314) 714-6400 | FAX: (314) 266-7427 | Email: info@deafinc.org | Web: www.deafinc.org