October 21, 2016
The 2nd Annual Gala was a BIG SUCCESS!!
The gala was held at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center in Framingham, MA. The weather was terrible rain storm but we had 125 people coming to the gala. We had appetizers, dinner, silent auctions, BOLA raffles, wine baskets and LIVE AUCTION.
Erin Esposito, Executive Director of Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Victims (ASADV) and a Deaf survivor of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence, gave an awesome presentation sharing her experiences as a Deaf survivor with sexual abuse and domestic violence and encourage us to support all Deaf victims/survivors.
Ayisha Knight-Shaw, a Boston based Deaf multimedia artist, poet, educator and Reiki Master teacher, gave an entertainment by showing her poems expressing her experiences as a Deaf survivor of sexual and domestic violence.
We were honored to have Carol Barden and Tracy Antolin, Tallie Antolin's mother and brother at the Gala. Tallie is remembered by the Deaf community in Massachusetts. Click to read about Tallie. The Tallie M. Antolin Memorial Award was presented to Inger Riley. Inger is very humbled and always gives her time for ODSC. She has been involved with ODSC for a long time and has been ODSC's backbone. She deserved to get this award. Congratulations, Inger!
BJ Wood was a FUN auctioneer for the Live Auction!! Everyone loved to watch everytime the prices went up and curious who won with the final price!
Thank you for your support and donations for this event.
Ivy and Greg, GALA's Emcees
Silent Auction table
Erin Esposito, giving presentation
Ayisha Knight-Shaw, giving poems
BJ Wood, Auctioneer
Andy Veith bidding during the Live Auction
Tallie Antolin's mother, Carol Barden and brother, Tracy Antolin in middle with Joan Philip, Louis Rivas, Terry Malcolm, Julie Proud Ray
Our Deaf Survivors Center had its 1st Award,
"The Tallie M. Antolin Memorial Award"
was presented to Inger Riley at the Gala on
October 21, 2016
Congratulations
Inger Riley
ODSC's Board members Louis Rivas, Julie Proud Ray, Terry Malcolm, Joan Philip with Inger Riley, the Tallie Antolin Memorial Award recipient
September 13, 2016
DEAF COMMUNITY NIGHT AT FENWAY PARK
The Deaf Community Night at Fenway Park was a HUGE success with almost 400 people (Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, Latened Deaf, Hearing people). The Red Sox played against the Baltimore Orioles. There was an ASL social at Budweiser Deck from 5:40pm to 7pm. Then 5 Deaf members from ODSC and DEAF, Inc., were honored at the pre-ceremony, Joan Philip and Julie Proud Ray from ODSC, and Elaine Ducharme, Wesley Ireland and Kelly Kim from DEAF, Inc. Sara Dugas did the National Anthem in ASL and Greg Spera did the song in the 7th inning, "Take Me to a Ball Game" in ASL. Everyone enjoyed the game even though the Red Sox lost. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket would benefit the ODSC and DEAF, Inc non profits.
On behalf of DEAF, Inc and ODSC, we like to thank the Boston Red Sox for continuing its support!!
April 24, 2016
ASL PAINT PARTY, Southborough, MA
By Sue Philip
What is an "ASL Paint Party"? It's...AWESOME! and...FUN!
Want to try something different?!
We had an ASL PAINT PARTY in Southborough on April 24, 2016 at a new art studio owned by a Deaf woman, Mary Simmons, that had just opened several days earlier. ODSC was honored to be the first DEAF, non-profit organization to hold a PAINT PARTY in the new studio!
That night we each painted a scene called "April Showers". We followed the step by step painting instructions of our Deaf instructor, Samantha. We each ended up with a slightly different and original depiction of the same example painting: a woman holding an umbrella in the rain. It was WONDERFUL to see our paintings, which turned out to be quite good! See the pictures below.
ODSC sends a big THANK YOU! for your support! to all the painters who attended this event. We also want to thank the amazing owner, Mary Simmons, and her friendly, helfpul and supportive staff. With this in mind we highly recommend you go to the next ODSC PAINT PARTY event (an off-site fundraising event), ASL PAINT PARTY, that will be held at Beverly School for the Deaf, The Childrens Center for Communitcation's gym in Beverly, MA on June 4th. The theme will be "Sandwriting", a beach scene with pictures/words written in the sand.
You can go to www.expressionsartbar.com for more information and to register!
Stay tuned as we might be holding our next off-site fundraising event in Western MA soon! More information can be found at www.odscunity.org.
Also you can check out this wonderful company, "Expressions Art Bar" at www.expressionsartbar.com.
Cheers! The Painters
June 4, 2016
ASL PAINT PARTY, Beverly, MA
ASL Paint Party with "Sandwriting", was FUN!! There was a good crowd of Deaf, hearing and KODA painters, instructed by Laurie Blanchard and supported by Samantha Perry, both wonderful staff!!
ODSC wanted to thank for your support to come and join this event AND also thanked to Beverly School for the Deaf Almuni Association for partnering in this fundraising event.
Fun Painting
Laurie Blanchard, ASL art instructor
Proud of Artwork!!
August 27, 2016
DINGO NIGHT, Danvers, MA
Dingo Night was held at New England Home for the Deaf (NEHD) in Danvers. There was 2 Deaf dealers at Dingo game. This event was a SUCCESS!! Everyone had FUN!! Some have already asked to have this event again!!
ODSC thanked NEHD for using its community room and thanks everyone for support.
July 2016
A NEW DONOR THRILLS ODSC
Sue Philip, President
As you may recall, ODSC received funding from Lenny Zakim Fund for 3 years and this year is the last year we will be funded.
Melissa Anderson, a former ODSC board member, is currently working with me specifically for grant-related funds. She has applies to several grants to help cover the hotline expenses...
AND...to the surprise of mail telling us that WORK, Inc., is donating $4,000 to ODSC hotline this year and next year. ODSC is thrilled to have the support from WORK, Inc. It is so nice to have a relationship with an agency that serves Deaf consumers as well as hearing consumers with disabilities.
Joan Philip and I visited WORK, Inc., and it was awesome! On the wall behind the secretary's desk, there are many photos of the consumers. It shows the goal of WORK, Inc's services. The warm feelings around the room came to us showing the goal of WORK, Inc's services.
ODSC is looking forward to working with them in the future. To show this we are using their logo, which you will see in ODSC's announcements and in social media.
Thank you to WORK, Inc!
March 19, 2016
SPRINGFEST, at the Learning Center, Framingham, MA
BY Julie Proud-Ray
ODSC Board wanted to thank you all for your support!
Thanks to all the vendors!!
We wanted to acknowledge all the volunteers who were the big part of this event!!
Lori Novak, Lorna Laferriere, Susan Almeida, Joe Ascheman, Anna Lynch, Bob Lynch, Ann Smith, Helen Balfour, John Balfour, Barbara Rivas, Tabby Patrican, Kristin Osborne, Beth Lucey for their wonderful jobs to make this event going very smooth.
Also BIG thanks to wonderful ladies to make delicious Italian dinner. Patricia Ward Costella, Ann Marie Smith, Anna Vega and Cheryl Johnston
Also thanks for the audience at the ASL SLAM for helping putting chairs and tables away!!
BIG BIG THANKS to RAYLENE LOTZ for this FUN entertainment. Everyone had many laughs and enjoyed ASL stories and improv shows!!!
Again thanks for all of your help and support!!
Samantha, Deaf ASL Instructor
Painting
GREAT PAINTERS!!
Painting
April 14, 2016
HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY TO OUR CS AND CB POSITIONS!
ODSC is very pleased to wish a "happy first birthday" to our clinical supervisor (CS) and cultural broker (CB) positions, on April 14th! ODSC went through a series of adjustments and strengthened our organization with these positions. Now we have Kim Grebert as CS and newcomer, Mary Bird as CB. She started on May 14th.
Please share ODSC's website with friends and colleagues in your network, and invite them to visit us at www.odscunity.org
It is very important that you spread the word that ODSC is available to help anyone who is in need of support and resources. The hotline is available Monday through Saturday from 5pm to 9am. And the number is 844-637-2723.
ODSC is in need of a few more volunteer advocates (VA) to work the hotline. Please email any questions to Joan Philip at odsctraining@gmail.com
Once again, happy birthday and have a good year!
March 12, 2016
ASL SLAM, Allston, MA
ODSC wanted to say BIG thanks to Sean O'Brien and the ASL Slam - Boston for donating $282 from 50/50 raffle prize. The winnder of 50/50 raffle was David Ray who generously donated his winnings to ODSC. Thank you David!
Also thank you to the community to support ODSC's work.
Raylene Lotz, MC for ASL Slam
Community Italian dinner
Indoor Yard Sale
February 6, 2016
YOGA in ASL workshop at the Learning Center
by Julie Proud-Ray
On beautiful sunny day February 6th, thirty five (35) Deaf and hearing people came together at TLC in Framingham to attend a Yoga Event, a FUNdraising event for Our Deaf Survivors Center (ODSC). There was so much interest in this event that it filled up and we had a waiting list! Sara Dugas (Deaf) and Cathy Cogen (hearing, ASL signer and interpreter), both certified yoga instructors, did a fabulous job with coordinating this event. It was awesome to see the instructors signing in full ASL (no voice allowed). They explained the yoga poses in a way that was very clear and visual. They talked about self-care and the benefits of doing yoga as part of our exercise program. The four hour event including a silent lunch break (no talking/signing to each other!) and a delicious, healthy vegetarian/vegan lunch was provided.
See one quote from someone:
“This yoga class felt like a perfect mini-spa day. Wonderful teamwork from instructors, relaxing pace, delicious and silent lunch was perfect, too. The day let me slow down and feel more peaceful.”
Many people commented after the yoga that they felt very good, refreshed, re-energized and calm. The event raised around $772.00! There were requests for another class in the future. Stay tuned for our next Yoga event!
ODSC wishes to acknowledge a special THANK YOU to Sara Dugas and Cathy Cogen for contributing their time along with the food donations from Whole Foods and Walnut Grille Restaurant. Also thanks to Suz Bedrosian for gluten-free chips/crackers with hummus and a homemade delicious brownies. And a big shout out to all of the participants who supported and contributed to this event. THANK YOU!
Delicious healthy food from Whole Foods and Walnut Grille Restaurant, homemade brownies by Suz Bedrosian
Welcoming and Thank You speech by ODSC's President Sue Philip
Sue Philip and Joan Philip, ODSC Board members
Sara Dugas (Deaf) and Cathy Cogen (hearing, ASL signer) - AWESOME instructors
YOGA workshop
February 2, 2016
LENNY ZAKIM FUND AWARD
The Lenny Zakim Fund has awarded Our Deaf Survivors Center (ODSC) with a $4,000 grant to support general operating costs in 2016! This is the third consecutive grant ODSC has received from the Lenny Zakim Fund.
ODSC Board members, Louis Rivas, Terry Malcolm and Julie Proud-Ray attended the Lenny Zakim Fund Award Ceremony on February 2, 2016 at the Revere Hotel in Boston, MA, where they were presented with the award check. Please see the photos.
ODSC would like to thank the Lenny Zakim Fund for another year of generous support!!
Louis Rivas, Terry Malcolm, Joe Rodio, Vice Chair of LZF,
Julie Proud-Ray