Newsletter – Fall/Winter 2024

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Hello everyone,

I am happy to take this opportunity to provide the community with this update. DDS hosted a townhall for its members on October 17, 2024. During that meeting, the members passed a motion to move forward in the proposed merger with Silent Voice Canada.

Follow DDS on Social Media & check out our events

As most of you know, Maggie came out of retirement temporarily for which we are so grateful! She is now retired again and finally. Kelly MacKenzie, the current Executive Director of Silent Voice Canada will be taking over the role of managing DDS. Kelly will be involved in continuing the merger process.

I am pleased to introduce Kelly in this newsletter; she will tell you a little about herself. We, the Board of Directors are truly thrilled to have Kelly join us on this journey. We look forward to working with her.

On behalf of the DDS Board of Directors, we wish you a happy season filled with celebrations and kindness. Cheers to bringing in the new year!

Tristan Kong

President, DDS Board of Directors

Thank you Tristan! And thank you to the DDS membership and community, staff and Board, for the warm welcome as the new Acting Executive Director of DDS. I am so excited to be here and to work with the Board for the upcoming planned merger between DDS and Silent Voice Canada. I am honoured to wear two hats – continuing to manage Silent Voice as well as now managing DDS.

I am looking forward to working with the staff, clients, funders, members, and working on expanding DDS and ensuring its sustainability. A little bit about me? I have many years working at the management level, including as Executive Director. I have managed staff, finances, fundraising, program expansion, and change management. I am truly looking forward to working towards a bright and exciting future for both Silent Voice and DDS.

Thank you for the warm welcome Ajax MPP Patrice Barnes! What a pleasure to meet with you on Friday, Nov. 8.

MPP Barnes and I look forward to working together in Durham Region to uplift Deaf community members.

Sincerely,

Kelly MacKenzie

Acting Executive Director 

This year, LBS has been steadily growing. We noticed an uptick in registration in mid-October 2024. We have brought back our De’VIA art expression sessions on Tuesdays. This is our largest in-person class, bringing learners together to express visually their Deaf experience/journey. We like to think of it as creative writing. Learners can express themselves visually and then learn to translate their story into text. The learners have compelling stories to share. You can see learner’s artwork throughout our halls any time you visit DDS. Please stop by.

We currently have two virtual classes weekly and two hyflex sessions weekly. We have had a mix of virtual and in-person requests. Learners have expressed they are enjoying the flexibility of LBS delivery. We were fortunate to connect virtually with the Alberta Connect Society (https://www.connectsociety.org/) through our hybrid sessions. It was fantastic to meet their learners and have an ASL chat with recent immigrants to Canada. We addressed many questions related to Canadian culture. The learners loved to share their experiences as new Canadians.

This fall, we have been virtually teaching our employment preparation module, “Professional Presentation,” allowing those outside of the Durham Region to join.

Last year, we were able to train two instructors with Red Cross First Aid instruction. Those two instructors are now able to certify SFA-C certification in ASL. We are thrilled to see this project become a success. We will be conducting a session in our last quarter this year.

We are still working on reaching out to more rural Durham participants who would like to join online literacy sessions. We welcome new learners to DDS and look forward to introducing more learners to hyflex delivery.

In the upcoming 2025 schedule, we will be offering Bibliotherapy sessions along with blended learning with Deaf Learn Now. Please keep an eye out for flyers and marketing. Any questions? Feel free to contact the DDS literacy coordinator at sgibbons@durhamdeaf.org.

Stefanie Gibbons, Literacy Coordinator

Behishta Mushtaq, Literacy Instructor

Durham Deaf Services is pleased to announce that we have received funding under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

This federal grants and contributions program supports projects that are led or inspired by seniors who are making a difference in the lives of others in their communities.

The funds are being used to combat social isolation and promote life-long learning experiences for our local older adults who are Deaf.

Thank you to the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for the funding support provided to Durham Deaf Services. It is making a significant difference in the lives of seniors in our community.

So far this year, we have had numerous beneficial workshops. The first workshop was presented by the Region of Durham to discuss Elder Abuse and Social Services in the Durham Region. A big thank you to Jaclyn and Sharon for coming to present and learning more about the Deaf Community in the Durham Region. Then we had Detective Martin Franssen from the Durham Region Police Services come and talk about becoming aware and preventing frauds and hacks such as Bluetooth “snarfing”. Recently we had Derek Rumball from The Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf to discuss Long-Term Care Housing. This workshop helped our participants better understand the realities of today’s housing availability and how important it is to start having discussions now about their future. Our upcoming workshop, on November 27, 2024 will focus on Simple Wills and Powers of Attorneys presented by Mallik Fernando of the Durham Community Legal Clinic.

This year, we have also gone on a couple of trips to the Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto and the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls. Both trips presented amazing learning experiences outside of DDS that the participants were thankful for. We are looking forward to planning our next trip for the New Horizons program. Stay tuned.

Sylvia Doucet

New Horizons for Seniors Program – Project Coordinator

Family Holiday Party

Join us on Saturday, December 7, for some Family Holiday Fun with activities and crafts and a special visit from Signing Santa!

Please bring a wrapped gift ($20 max) for Santa to hand out to your child.

RSVP by emailing info@durhamdeaf.org. Please add the names of everyone attending in your RSVP email.

Day: December 7, 2024

Time: 12 – 3 p.m.

Place: Durham Deaf Services, 900 King Street East, Oshawa ON

This event is sponsored by Elan Planning & Wealth Management & Companies Who Care.

Online 50/50 Raffle 

We’re hosting an online 50/50 raffle to celebrate the holidays and close out the year. There is still time to participate – ticket sales end on December 18. So far, we have awarded over $1500.

Don’t forget – the more people who participate, the bigger the pot! Don’t wait too long to buy your tickets. 

Congratulations to our most recent 50/50 winner – Margie!

Realtors Care Community Spotlight

One of our valued community members, Tristan Kong, President of the DDS Board of Directors, was featured in a spotlight highlighting the important work Tristan has done and continues to do to empower the Deaf community.

Family Halloween Party

Last month, we hosted a Family Halloween party. Thank you to everyone who attended and to all of our volunteers. Also, a special thank you to the sponsors: ELAN Planning & Wealth Management and Companies Who Care.

Without our volunteers and sponsors; events such as these would not be possible.

International Day of Signed Languages Flag Rising Ceremony

For the International Week of the Deaf this past September – many Deaf members and organizations rallied together to organize a historic flag-raising ceremony to recognize the International Day of Signed Languages.

Some DDS staff members and learners were able to attend to observe this monumental day.

See the post from the Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf below to see the YouTube video of the event!

Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) – Youth in Policing Presentation

In August, DDS was invited by DRPS to present to the Youth in Policing (YIP) participants about Deaf culture, acceptable terms in the community, communication strategies, and expose the youth to American Sign Language and the interpreting process.

These presentations have been a fantastic form of outreach and awareness education for youth who are considering becoming police officers.

Here are some photos from our recent presentation!

Purdy’s Chocolate Bar & Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraisers

In March, the DDS Fundraising Committee completed a Purdy’s Chocolate Bar fundraising initiative and raised over $1100. Our Krispy Kreme Doughnut Fundraiser, which was held during this past summer, raised over $340.

All funds raised go towards supporting DDS programs and services.

DDS 2nd Car Rally Fundraiser

Durham Deaf Services hosted our second Car Rally earlier this year with success. This event was improved on from the previous year by incorporating feedback and adopting a new method for conducting the Car Rally.

Funds raised from the Car Rally totalled over $3000 and will go towards programs and services at DDS.

Thank you to everyone who participated and the volunteers who committed their time to host this event!

A huge thank you to our event sponsors! The event would not have been a success without your contributions and support.

Check out our Facebook post to see some photos:

Durham Deaf Club has been busy preparing for our second New Years Event this December 31st, 2024. Early bird ticket sales are until December 2nd for $85.00, and the Dance starts at 9PM and tickets are $30.00.

After December 2nd, until December 15th tickets will be $90.00. The event will include a catered buffet, games with a chance to win a prize, raffles and so much more! Last day to RSVP and purchase your tickets is December 15th by cash or e-transfer to durhamdeafclub@gmail.com.

Please contact DDC for dietary preferences or allergies.

As president of ODSC, I want to say welcome to Kelly MacKenzie, who is replacing Maggie as DDS Executive Director. Maggie has retired again for sure; we will miss Maggie!

We want to say thank you to Sylvia for her program coordination of workshops. We had three where we learned a lot: Scam and Fraud, Long-Term Care, and POA/Wills too. We have been to Niagara Falls to tour the Butterfly centre. It was so amazing to see the many different colours and to learn so much too. We are still playing games every Wednesday from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

ODSC wishes you a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and good luck for 2025!

Thank you,

Kim Jackson

We are gearing up for ASL classes in the New Year!

Registration is now open. Click on the button below for the class you are interested in to register online.

Email info@durhamdeaf.org to inquire about private classes.

ASL Interpreting Services List – Updated July 2024

We have compiled a simplified list of ASL Interpreting Services available to the local community. The list contains details of both emergency and non-emergency services, what they offer and how to contact each agency.

We’re looking for community members to join our board!

Board of Directors members actively help support DDS and the community. From fundraising efforts to Social Media to day-to-day financial decisions, board members are able to help DDS thrive. To apply, send your resume and cover letter to info@durhamdeaf.org.

Watch this short video from Board Member Tristan Kong:

We need volunteers for our events!

Volunteering with us and helping out at our events is a great opportunity to network and mingle with the community while having lots of fun as we fundraise. If you have any questions, please send us an email at info@durhamdeaf.org. Visit our “Get Involved” page and scroll down for more info.

Thank you to our partners, funders, corporate sponsors, and community members!

Thank you to all of our partners, funders, corporate sponsors, and community members who have offered DDS financial support or have sponsored our events and fundraisers. We are very grateful to you and all of your support.

Fall/Winter 2024 Donation Honour Roll

$500 or more

St. Joseph’s Council #6361

$1000 or more

$10,000 or more

Do you have a comment, question or concern? Put it in the box below and we’ll see what we can do!

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