Bonita Springs Florida Weekly

Grant will help center enlighten businesses about deaf services



Lisa Myhand, a deaf mentor at the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center, and Alicia Miller, the center’s executive director. COURTESY PHOTO

Lisa Myhand, a deaf mentor at the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center, and Alicia Miller, the center’s executive director. COURTESY PHOTO

Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center has received a $5,000 grant from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation for “Sign the City,” a program to provide lunch-and-learn opportunities to businesses throughout the community.

As part of the foundation’s Community Impact Grants, the Pimentel center received funding to bring lunch for 15 to 20 people and teach employees how to sign the alphabet, common introductions and specific words related to business to help with communication with any deaf clients. An American Sign Language instructor and all materials are provided.

“We are excited to get this grant and launch this program that will raise awareness and help the deaf community,” said Alicia Miller, executive director of Pimentel center. “There are about 36 million hard of hearing and deaf people in the United States. By learning even a little sign language, you can communicate with 17% more of the population than you did before.”

Any business interested in scheduling a lunch-and-learn session can call 239-461- 0334 (voice phone) 239-247-5821 (video phone).

Founded in 1983 as The Deaf Service Center, the Sally J. Pimentel Deaf & Hard of Hearing Center is the only organization of its kind in Southwest Florida specifically working to improve the quality of life for the deaf and hard of hearing citizens and their families through education, advocacy and community involvement. A wide range of services are offered to deaf and hard of hearing children and adults of Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Hendry, Glades and DeSoto counties, including interpreting services, free telephone equipment loans, deaf mentor program, American sign language classes, information and referral services, employment assistance, family education, community outreach and education, and adaptive equipment sales. For more information, call either of the phone numbers above or go to www.dhhc.life. ¦

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