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Fall is here and along with the new season, there is lots of DHHS news to share. After 7 months in my role, I am feeling so excited about the amazing team that I work with and would like to share some highlights of our hard work:
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Renovations are done and DHHS looks amazing! Please come and visit us. One improvement is our large media screen located in our front entry, with information on DHHS programs and services. DHHS would love to share your news and I invite you to email us with upcoming dates and information you’d like to post.
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DHHS is proud to be welcoming two new managers to our team: Cindy Pilz, who has taken on the role of Manager of Deaf Services and Cammie Kaulback, who will take on the role of Manager of Hearing Services. Cindy brings over fifteen years of relevant experience working in education, along with strong leadership skills from her extensive community involvement. Cammie was previously a lawyer who realized that her passion was in non-profit management. She brings strong program management experience, as well experiencing the impact of hearing loss within her family; I am thrilled to welcome her to our team.
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I am very pleased to announce that Jaclyn Whitelock will be staying with us on a permanent basis, working as the Coordinator of Communications and Hearing Services.
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Our Equipment Services team Rytch and Kathy have been working hard to launch their new eStore with lots of new equipment, including items to help with hearing prevention, safety and tinnitus.
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Effective October 1, DHHS will be introducing improvements to Interpreting Services and Todd and the DHHS team will be sharing this news at Town Hall Meetings scheduled for Calgary on October 8 at DHHS, starting at 7:00 pm and in Edmonton on October 10 at EADCC, starting at 7:00 pm.
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Lynne (Communications and Fundraising) and I have been working hard on new communications and marketing efforts, including finalizing a new refreshed name for DHHS, (deletions) new brochures and an updated new website. More information on this will be presented at our Town Hall Meetings.
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After a summer rest, the DHHS board will re-convene in September and Barbara Revay (Board Chair) and I would like to extend a welcome to our new board members Don McCarthy, Amber Jurney (nee Schultz), Emil Kvarnberg, Michael Setters and Bob Bailey.
I am always happy to learn and hear your feedback and as always, my door is open for questions or suggestions.
Mona Hennenfent
mona.hennenfent@dhhs.ca
Message from the Board:
It is hard to believe that it is already September and the kids are back in school. I hope that those of you who were affected directly or indirectly by the flood have been able to get normalcy back into your lives. It was an unusually busy summer for DHHS and the staff and Mona will be addressing the renovations, the exciting staff additions to our DHHS team as well as other changes in her Executive Director’s message. As Chair of the Board I am enthusiastic about the upcoming months as I look forward to working with our new and returning Board members. Our Board will work to ensure that DHHS has a strong strategic vision so that we can continue to serve and provide the best services to our communities while strengthening our relationships with our stakeholders, funders and donors.
Warmest regards, Barbara Revay
Manager of Deaf Services Hired
The Deaf & Hard of Hearing Society is pleased to welcome Cindy Pilz to the position of Manager of Deaf Services.
Cindy is an active and long-standing member of the Calgary Association of the Deaf. She held the position of President from 2008 to 2013, and was a member of the executive of CAD for eight years before that. During that time she was also in charge of CAD’s casino, and helped plan Deaf Alberta Expo and the Deaf Canada Conference.
Cindy brings strong skills in collaboration and building relations. She has worked closely with the Sign Language Interpreter community, while her most recent role involved working together with students, teachers, staff and interpreters to help students achieve academic success.
In her new position, Cindy will oversee programs and services for the Deaf community and steward relations with all Deaf community stakeholders.
We look forward to having Cindy join the staff at DHHS. Congratulations, Cindy!
Renovations
After a busy summer, DHHS has finally completed phase one of renovations! Our office is now newly painted, complete with new carpeting and furniture. In addition, our basement has been painted and has new flooring, and is once again open to community groups who wish to rent it for meetings and socials. Remember, members receive half off rental fees! If your group is interested in renting the basement, please contact Jaclyn Whitelock by email: jaclyn.whitelock@dhhs.ca
We are now looking to raise money for phase two of renovations, which will involve updating both the kitchen and bathroom areas in the lower level to better serve our clients. Help us finish the job and donate to complete our renovations! Your contribution will be acknowledged by signage in our building. Visit www.dhhs.ca/donate/ to make a gift.
Finally, DHHS is in the process of refreshing! This will include a new, refreshed name for DHHS, and a new updated website. More information on this will be presented at our Town Hall Meetings. Stay tuned for an official launch date!\
Thank You Audiology Innovations!
Four participants from Audiology Innovations competed in the Spartan Race on August 17th, 2013 to raise funds on behalf of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Society. Morgann, their receptionist, describes her experience below:
“My family has always been active and competitive, and the concept of a 5 km obstacle race sounded like a fun way to spend a Saturday. Little did I know this would end up being the most physically challenging activity I have ever taken on in my life.
It was thirty degrees at the Wild Rose Motocross Track in Calgary on Saturday August 17th, 2013 and the wind was picking up. From splashing through mud puddles to lugging sandbags up steep hills, there was not one moment where our physical capability was not being put to the test. I entered the race with the mindset that my intermediate level of fitness would help me navigate the course with ease. I can now safely admit that I was very wrong. This race challenges every muscle in your body as well as your mind. With our friends and family cheering us on from the bleachers, we skipped through tires and climbed sideways walls. We pulled ourselves up ropes and under barbed wire. We threw spears at scarecrows. The obstacles were almost something to look forward to after running for stretches on the windy and dusty path.
It took us just over one hour to complete the race. Our family placed 116 through 119 in our heat of 350, and in the 2600s from the whole day of almost 6000 people! We did much better than we expected. After all the anticipation and preparation, we had finally done it. We were coated in mud, and had huge smiles on our faces. This was an accomplishment worth celebrating.
I am proud to say we raised $600.00 for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Society and we had a great time doing it. You can be sure that we will be there next year to beat our time!”
Interpreting Services:
DHHS offers interpreting services by highly skilled and qualified American Sign Language interpreters, primarily in Calgary and Edmonton. DHHS provides interpreters for a wide range of situations, including weddings, court cases, and awards ceremonies. Bookings can be made anytime online, or by one of the following contacts:
Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
TTY: 403-284-6201/780-451-9999
Text: 587-330-4823
iPhone / iPad Message & Facetime: 587-989-3447
Tango (Video Call): booking@dhhs.ca
Video Phone (Sorenson VP200): 403-002-0013
Video Phone (I2eye): 184.71.59.213
Email: booking@dhhs.ca
Fax: 866-501-0653
Phone: 866-471-2805 (Ext 2)
After Hours EMERGENCY Services
TTY: 403-244-2798
Text: dhhsemergencysvc@tigertel.com
Email: dhhsemergencysvc@tigertel.com
Phone: 866-471-2805 (Ext 1)
DHHS Courses and Classes:
Family Focused ASL Immersion Weekends:
Our Family Focused ASL Immersion weekends offer students the opportunity to learn basic conversational sign with a focus on words most commonly used in the home and community. Child care provided upon request. Class fee is $100 per person, with subsidies available for those who can cite financial burden.
October 25, 26, 27
7 – 9 pm Friday; 9 am – 4 pm Saturday and Sunday
Providence Child Development Centre, 5232 – 4th Street SW, Calgary
To register for one of our upcoming Family Immersion weekends, or to request more information on this and other ASL courses offered, please contact Jaclyn Whitelock by phone (403 284 6213), TTY (403 284-6201), or email jaclyn.whitelock@dhhs.ca.
Family Focused ASL classes are made possible through a generous donation from Calgary Learns
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