THE DILA SIGNPOST
SUMMER’10
from The Executive Director’s Desk
By Jennifer Whitcomb, Executive Director
If there has been a theme to these past few months, it has to
be partnerships. We’ve brought aboard new partners to our
staff, forged new relationships within and outside of the deaf
and hard-of-hearing community, and relied on the generosity
of even more partners to help bring serious summer fun to
fruition.
Things kicked off in February with two new additions to
our employment team. We hosted a job fair meeting and had
great success in attracting companies to our cause, as well as
helping our job seekers embark on new partnerships of their
own. And the residential program has converted to utilizing
Therapy Services.
In Philadelphia, we brought the Deaf Culture and Hearing
Culture together, fostering friendships and understanding
between the two groups while bringing the house down with
two live performances.
We partnered with our national pastime, so the deaf
community can enjoy a fun, affordable night out at the
ballpark. In return, we have the opportunity to bring about
new experiences that are rewarding foar all involved.
Looking at all of our partnerships throughout the year, I’m
struck by how much they mean to us. Without their kindness
and giving nature, we would not be able to offer many of the
services and events we currently enjoy. In return, we have
the opportunity to open their eyes to new experiences that
are rewarding for all involved.
From article to article in this newsletter, you’ll see examples
of the great things we can accomplish when we all work
together. In between, you’ll find some helpful tips on saving
energy, events to attend and opportunities for learning and
growth.
I hope you enjoy reading this season’s issue, and hopefully
I’ll see you at one of our events. It’s always nice to thank
our partners throughout all aspects of DILA with a friendly
smile and pleasant conversation. Happy reading, and stay
cool out there.
this way to...
Ways to Cut Back on Your Energy Costs........2
DILA Welcomes Therap...................................2
Video Relay Service..........................................3
DILA to Host MDAD Board Meeting.............3
American Sign Language Meets Praise..........3
Interpreter Referral Service............................4
Deaf Community Night with the Shorebirds.. 4
Deaf Independent Residences, Inc. (DIR).......4
Free Services Offered for the Deaf
and Hard-of-Hearing Community...................5
Fall 2010 ASL Classes (postponed)...................5
Camp Adventure...............................................5
Employment Services Update..........................6
DILA Thanks our Recent Donors....................7
Upcoming Events..............................................8
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Staff
Jennifer Whitcomb, Executive Director
Michael Balea, Financial Officer
Ramona Bradley, Residential Health Director
Mary Jo Verdery, Employment Director
Robin McDuffie, Employment Specialist
Mary Parks-Russell, Financial Assistant
Laura Jones, Administrative Assistant
Lisa Trolian, Office Coordinator
Celeste Emerson, Independent Living Advisor
Kim Guinta, Independent Living Advisor
Kim Majus, Independent Living Advisor
Todd Morrison, Independent Living Advisor
Diana Price, Independent Living Advisor
James Renberg, Independent Living Advisor
Joan Taylor, Independent Living Advisor
Chuck Thomas, Independent Living Advisor
Kevin McGowan, Job Coach
Eddy Morrison, Communication Specialist
Will Chambers, Driver
John Handy, Driver
Richard Hudson, Driver
With the weather getting warmer, it is important for us to find ways to conserve
energy for the environment as well as for our wallets. Here are some helpful tips
courtesy of Delmarva Power:
During hot weather, a central air conditioner can account for 30% of your energy
bill. Check the air filter regularly – a clean air filter improves system efficiency,
which should lead to energy savings.
The recommended thermostat setting is between 75°F and 78°F.
Every degree you raise your thermostat can result in a 5% savings
on the cost of cooling your home.
Board Members
Max Verbits, President
Sherry Perkins, Secretary
Frank Williams, Treasurer
Lance MacAllister, DIR Chairman
Richard Johnson
Donald O. Peterson
Volunteers
Rita Campbell
Takeisha Collins
Ashley Ewell
Kayla Ferrario
Kristina Good
Brittney Hurley
Laura Jones
Marie Lyon
Kim Majus
Kevin McGowan
Sherie Mitchell
Eddy Morrison
Angela Munn
Denis Munn
Lisa Rollins
Todd Rollins
Emma Rutter
Pam Slade
Spencer Sleight
Omar Taylor
Sara Thomsen
Kiersten Trolian
Danielle Wagoner
Amaris Watso
Interns
Brittney Hurley
Deanne Hurley
Nhon Tran
Ada Zant
Deaf Independent Living Association, established in
1982, is a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization. A volunteer
Board of Directors governs the agency of approximately
25 staff members, fluent in American Sign Language.
Office is located in Salisbury, MD serving the Eastern
Shore’s nine counties and Delaware. DILA continues
to serve as a transitional program between home,
employment and education for individuals who are deaf
or have a hearing loss.
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It is important not to have lamps, televisions or other
heat sources close to the air conditioner thermostat –
heat from these sources may cause the air conditioner
unit to run longer than it should.
Check to ensure that no furniture or other obstacles are
blocking ducts or fans. This will enable cooled air to
circulate freely, making your home more comfortable.
If we do our part this summer season, we can all be
comfortable without breaking the bank.
DILA Welcomes Therap
by Ramona Bradley, RN BSN, Residential Health Director
In November 2009, DILA’s Residential Program was launched into a new era of
technology by implementing Therap Services. Therap Services, is a web-based
service organization that provides an integrated solution for documentation and
communication needs of agencies providing support to people with disabilities,
especially developmental disabilities. Training sessions were held on how to utilize
the programs within Therap. The initial phase was a huge success. Our direct care
professionals are now able to communicate, document and print an individual’s
history with a click of the mouse from anywhere with an Internet connection. While
DILA has always prided itself in providing quality services, the transition to Therap
has allowed for more streamlined and timely communication between our direct care
professionals and management. Future plans include being able to communicate
through Therap with the families of the individuals we serve. The final phase will
be completed in August 2010.
DILA to Host
MDAD Board Meeting
Video Relay Service
Don’t have a videophone yet but want to make a
videophone call? Stop by DILA’s office during
business hours, Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM to
use the Sorenson Videophone Booth at no charge.
A videophone is also available for use at the
Dorchester Public Library
on Gay Street in Cambridge, MD.
To find out if you are eligible for a free videophone
from Sorenson, go to www.sorenson.com.
Maryland Association of the Deaf (MDAD) will
be holding a Board of Director’s meeting at DILA
on Saturday, August 28, 2010, with an activity
to follow the board meeting. The board meeting
will run from 10 am-12 Noon. From 12 Noon 1:30 pm lunch will be provided. Starting at 1:30
through 3:30 pm, stay & play Deaf Jeopardy.
Members of the deaf community are welcome to
attend at no charge.
For more information, please contact MDAD
at [email protected].
American Sign Language
Meets Praise
by Joan Taylor, Independent Living Advisor
Deaf individuals Dane, Brenda, Carolyn, Meredith, Jeannine
and Jennifer participated in a women’s conference held at the
Greater Love Church located in Philadelphia, PA, on May 8th.
The Greater Love Church has a sign language ministry and
invited these ladies to participate in hopes of learning more of
and experiencing ASL at its best. Needless to say, the women
were awesome! They gave two performances of ASL to music,
and each performance brought the audience to its feet.
The energy, excitement and fun could not be measured. It was
a grand opportunity for all who attended, to meet new friends
and bring the Deaf Culture and Hearing Culture together for
a wonderful cause. I am confident that there will be more
opportunities for these women to showcase their beautiful
language and talent in the city of Philadelphia.
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Interpreter Referral Service
by Lisa Trolian, Office Coordinator
Interpreter Referral Service has been very busy over the past year, and our continuing
advocacy efforts are paying off! New agencies are making interpreter requests every day,
and we are well on our way to matching, or possibly exceeding, DILA’s record of over
1,000 interpreter requests in one year! If you have an interpreter request or have any
questions about the program, please call 410-742-5052, ext. 113, for more information.
DILA is also actively recruiting contractual interpreters. If you, or someone you know,
are interested, please send a resume to DILA, Attn: Human Resources.
Deaf Community Night with the Shorebirds
by Laura Jones, Administrative Assistant
Deaf Community Night with the Shorebirds and DILA was held on Saturday, July 24, 2010 and was a great
success. It was great to see everyone who came out to celebrate braving the hot weather. The game went into
several extra innings after the Shorebirds tied it up with the Lakewood Blue Claws at the bottom of the ninth. Alas,
our Shorebirds were not able to pull off a win but a great time was had by all who attended.
DILA had an information booth set up that night and held a raffle to raise money towards
Camp Adventure 2010’s Camp Scholarship Fund. The camp committee did a
wonderful job selling the raffle tickets and raised $801. A big thank you to
everyone who supported this wonderful cause.
Congratulations to the winners of the fabulous prize packages that
were given away: Get-away Package, Chuck Hunkapillar; Home Care
Package, Debbie Lauser; Car Care Package, Emma Hawthorne; Ladies
Package, Shirley Haselbarth and the Recreation Package, Bobby Jones.
DILA would also like to extend a very appreciative thank you to the businesses
and individuals that donated the wonderful prizes that were included in the packages
that were raffled off: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Ocean City, MD; Shockley Management;
Mary Parks-Russell; Laura Jones; Brew River Restaurant & Bar; Gordy’s Tiger Mart; ChemDry On the Shore;
Vernon Powell Shoes, Apple Discount Drugs; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Baltimore National Aquarium; Wood Creek
Golf Links and Six Flags Friends.
Deaf Independent Residences, Inc. (DIR)
by Lisa Trolian, Office Coordinator
DIR currently has HUD Section 8 (202) vacancies in Easton and Berlin,
Maryland. Eligibility requirements include having a disability or being
elderly. For more information or an application, please call DIR at 410742-5052 (voice/TTY) or 443-365-2647 (VP), or email [email protected].
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Free Services Offered
for the Deaf and
Hard-of-Hearing
Community
Fall 2010 ASL Classes Postponed
If you live on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
and are deaf or have hearing loss, then you
qualify for free services from DILA. No
other requirements are needed.
Having trouble accessing or understanding
community services? Our staff is here to help
you. Let DILA staff assist you or someone
you know in advocacy, employment, benefit
management and transportation needs, plus
more. For more information, stop in our
office at 806 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury,
MD,
by Eddy Morrison, Communication Specialist
We deeply apologize, but due to an unforeseen
scheduling conflict the Fall 2010 ASL classes that
were scheduled to start this coming September have
been postponed until the beginning of the new year.
New dates will be posted on our website as soon
as they are finalized. If you have any questions or
would like more information please call us at
410-742-5052 (voice/TTY)
or 1-866-947-6923 (VP),
email [email protected]
or visit www.dila.org.
Call 410-742-5052 (voice/TTY)
or 443-365-2647 (VP),
or email [email protected].
Camp Adventure
by Eddy Morrison, Communication Specialist
Summer fun at DILA’s Camp Adventure 2010 will take place from
August 19 to August 22. This year’s three-night, four-day (one
more day than 2009!) camp will be packed with fun-filled
activities, including hiking, campfires, swimming, crafts and
more.
Camp Adventure is open to deaf and hard-of-hearing
children and their siblings from ages 5 to 17. For
information, you can check on our web site,
www.dila.org, and click under camp.
In addition, the camp committee has been busy
working on several fundraisers for the camp’s
scholarship fund for children who can’t afford camp
this year. Thanks to all their hard work, three DINGO
games and a car wash have earned over $780! A raffle was
also held with five great prize packages given away which
raised over $800.
5
Employment Services Update
by Mary Jo Verdery, Employment Director
After an unusual winter of bad weather,
including back-to-back blizzards, DILA’s
employment team was excited about
some new additions to the staff and
ready to get working together.
February saw the addition of our
new Employment Specialist,
Robin McDuffie, and a new Job
Coach, Larry Belote. Together
with Employment Director Mary Jo
Verdery, Job Coaches Rita Campbell
and Kevin McGowan, and Office
Coordinator Lisa Trolian, our team was
complete.
In March, DILA hosted a hugely successful informational job fair meeting where we
prepared the seventeen job seekers in attendance for upcoming job fairs and events
that would be available to them. This meeting was designed to acquaint the individuals
with the materials they would need, appropriate attire to wear and general information
regarding the upcoming events and how best to prepare.
In April, eleven of DILA’s job seekers attended the Annual Spring Job Fair at WorWic Community College, where they had access to well over 40 employers from the
area. Armed with the information they had learned from our informational meeting in
March, our attendees did a wonderful job of speaking with and gathering information
from prospective employers, as well as collecting applications to fill out and submit.
Also in April, The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay was gracious enough to host an
informational job fair and tour. Fourteen job seekers, five staff members and two
interpreters were in attendance for the tour and different department presentations. It
was a rewarding and fulfilling experience for all involved. Since then, two individuals
have begun work for Hyatt and two remain in the interviewing process.
DILA is thrilled to announce that under the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Service
(DORS) Grant for Un-served and Underserved, the employment team has successfully
placed eight individuals into employment and continues to support those individuals.
In addition, we have successfully supported 8 additional job seekers through our job
seeking skills classes. These individuals learned the necessary skills for seeking and
securing employment, including resume building, proper attire, interview skills and
job search basics.
In addition to the success DILA’s Maryland residents have achieved, our program
continues to support individuals in Delaware’s Kent and Sussex Counties. DILA’s
continued effort to help deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals secure and maintain
meaningful employment has also led to the placement of five job seekers from
Delaware into competitive employment.
The Employment Staff of DILA strives to do our utmost to help secure employment
and support in all ways necessary for the individuals that use our services. We also
work closely with and support local employers and the business community. With
continued effort, we hope to build a bridge between these communities for the present
and well into the future.
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DILA Thanks our Recent Donors
Gold Sponsorship ($20,000 - $29,999)
City of Salisbury, Community Development Block Grant
– towards the Employment Program.
Silver Sponsorship ($10,000 - $19,999)
Maryland Home and Community Care Foundation
– towards community ADA workshops
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
– towards general support of core services.
Bronze Sponsorship ($5,000 – 9,999)
Anonymous – towards General Operating
Anonymous – towards General Operating
City of Salisbury, Community Development Block Grant – towards
the DIR home repairs.
Friends ($500 - $999)
K & L Microwave – towards Camp Adventure’s Scholarship Fund
Supporters ($25-$499)
Ramona Bradley
Celeste Emerson
Richard Hudson
Kim Majus
Eddy Morrison
Todd Morrison
May May Nu
Pohanka of Salisbury, Inc.
Salisbury Metro Lions Club
Joan Taylor
Marlena Turner
Much-Appreciated In-Kind Gifts
Apple Discount Drugs
Brew River Restaurant & Bar
ChemDry on the Shore
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Gordy Tiger Mart
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ocean City
Laura Jones
National Aquarium in Baltimore
Mr. and Mrs. Wade Russell
Sam’s Club #6383
Shockley Management, Inc.
Six Flags Friends
Super Fresh #70-872
Vernon Powell Shoe Co.
Wood Creek Golf Links
Maryland Charities Campaign
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Ms. Diana T. Benson
Ms. Sarah Bouyer-Thompson
Ms. Carol Bradley
Mrs. Nancy R. Downey
Mr. Dane Foust
Injured Workers Insurance Fund
Ms. Anna Jacobs
Ms. Colleen P. Joyner
Mr. Richard Lemon
Ms. Rhonda Livingston
Mr. Jon McCready, Jr.
Ms. Kathleen M. McMahon
Ms. Virginia E. Meyers
Mr. Craig H. Passi
Ms. Debra A. Roth
Ms. Orest C. Sobkiw
Ms. Teresa G.White
LICA Campaign
Britney N. Crawford
Stephen L. Graham
Ann E. Guthrie
Gordon J. Hewitt
Angela M. King
Katri C. Llaverias-Witt
Ira A. Starling
Pohanka Pays It Forward Designees
David Crosby
7
806 Snow Hill Road
Salisbury, Maryland 21804
Phone: 410-742-5052 V/TTY
1.866.947.6923 (VP)
410.543.4874 Fax
[email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS
visit our website @ www.dila.org
Unless otherwise noted, all events will take place at DILA’s office in Salisbury, located at 806 Snow Hill Rd.
For more information on all events, call 410-742-5052 (V/TTY), 1-866-947-6923 (VP) or visit www.dila.org/events
Job Seeking Skills Classes
Monthly, Monday-Friday | 10am-2pm
Camp Adventure
August 19-22, 2010 at Camp Pecometh Centreville, MD
MD Association of Deaf Meeting
August 28, 2010 | 10am - 12Noon - Meeting | 12Noon - 1:30pm - Lunch Provided | 1:30 - 3:30pm Play Deaf Jeopardy
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