At Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services, our mission to advance access, education, and advocacy never stops. But sometimes, looking back helps us see just how meaningful our work really is. In 2025, we continued to grow, deepen relationships, and create more places where Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing individuals and families feel truly seen, supported, and included.
This year was about connection. In community spaces, through shared experiences, and across professional development. All rooted in the belief that accessibility is not just a service, but a community value.
One of our summer highlights was Kids Kamp 2025, held July 21–25 at West Oakview Elementary School. For five days, dozens of young campers explored language, leadership, and friendship in an environment built for joy and belonging. From nature hikes and science experiments to horseback experiences and sign-name ceremonies, the week was a powerful reminder of how inclusive spaces help our children grow with confidence and connection. Many parents shared that their children looked forward to each morning with excitement, a testament to the transformative experience Kids Kamp creates year after year.
This year also saw important strides in education and access for interpreters and service providers. Our DeafBlind Workshop, providing training with a human touch, equipped first responders and healthcare professionals with practical skills for communication and care, creating safer, more accessible systems for DeafBlind individuals across settings.
Community is at the heart of what we do and 2025 brought many moments that strengthened it. The Tuesday Group’s summer outing to the Equest Center offered playful and meaningful connection through equine therapy experiences, laughter, and shared adventure.
In September, nearly 100 people gathered for Deaf Awareness Celebration in 2025, a celebration of Deaf language, culture, and community. The evening was filled with resource tables, good food, and rich conversations — and offered an especially meaningful moment of community for long-time families and new faces alike. Board member Luis Peña shared how deeply events like this support identity and belonging for Deaf and DeafBlind individuals in West Michigan.
As we reflect on 2025, what stands out most is connection, between generations, across experiences, and among communities. Whether it was a child’s laughter at Kamp, a first responder gaining confidence in accessible care, or old friends reconnecting through shared language and culture, each moment reminded us why this work matters.
We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, partners, donors, and community members who walk beside us every day. Your trust, participation, and support help us bring access and opportunity to more people each year.
What we do is a community effort, a community you are an important part of, and we offer our deep-felt gratitude.
Lets look back at few numbers that illustrate the breadth and depth of our work this past year:
- 3,772 Interpreter jobs filled
- 1,553+ volunteer hours
- 172 Youth Program participants
- 153 students learning ASL
- 7 Interpreter workshop opportunities
- 217 Interpreter workshop attendees
- 66 Seniors provided hearing aids
- 188 Community workshop attendees
- 34 EIPA tests
- 48 Direct advocacy clients
- 31 Counties served
- 86 Activities provided RID Sponsorship
