Formerly the League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the EAR Foundation
Voice/TTY 615-248-8828 · VP 615-290-5147
Our volunteers come from all walks of life and contribute their time and talents through committee and board participation, tutoring and teaching our youth, assisting our Job Coach in teaching job readiness skills, and help with fundraising. There are also many active Hearing Bridges Committees. For more information, call 615-248-8828 (V/TTY).
If you can greet guests, serve food, help plan an event, or pitch in to clean up, we could use your services. Knowledge of American Sign Language is not necessary. To find out about our events, please contact Hearing Bridges at 615-248-8828 (V/TTY), 615-290-5147 (VP) or info@hearingbridges.org.
Our Youth Program offers programs and services to young people and their families to help address the growing needs of those with hearing loss. Signing adult volunteers are needed for Hearing Bridges's after-school program in Nashville. Duties may include assisting with tutoring or teaching sports, crafts, and other fun activities. We also need volunteers to ride in the van to pick up youth from school or help out at the monthly gathering of high school and first year graduates. Share a special skill with our youth (interpreting will be provided). For complete information, contact Trina Baylor at tb@hearingbridges.org.
The Alcohol and Drug Council of Middle Tennessee has joined forces with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Nashville to create a deaf mentor program. It is for Deaf or Hard of Hearing children ages 6-12. The purpose of the program is to expose the children to more language and Deaf cultural events as well as other fun activities, according to Laura Lekowicz, MA, NCC, program manager of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.
A child will be paired with a volunteer who is either Deaf or fluent in American Sign Language. This volunteer will act as a mentor for the child, picking him up at home and taking him out into the community and, at the same time, strengthening his communication skills and increasing his self-esteem.
Lekowicz is looking for children and adult volunteers who are willing to participate. For more information, 615-269-0029, ext. 114 (voice) or 615-269-0344 (TTY).
We appreciate the volunteer hours and talents that have been given to the Hearing Bridges by these dedicated persons. According to "Independent Sector," the estimated dollar value of volunteer time is $17.19 per hour. Last year, our Youth Program alone had 2,451 volunteer hours estimated at $42,132.69. Our volunteers make a big difference for us. Thank you!