Building community for deaf young people

After the family relocated to Westmoreland County, Molly was looking for opportunities for her son, Tyler, to interact with other deaf children. She wasn’t sure where to start but heard about the Center for Hearing & Deaf Services and got more information about its Deaf Youth and Friends Program from a staff member. Molly took Tyler to the next Deaf Youth and Friends event, a Pittsburgh Pirates game on a Friday night. She was concerned Tyler would be shy and not talk to anyone, but she loved seeing the smile on his face as he got to experience sign language with the other kids. 

The members of the Deaf Youth and Friends Program welcomed him with open arms, and they were all able to enjoy the game together. Molly and her husband were thrilled to see Tyler make friends in a new area so quickly. The Deaf Youth and Friends Program was able to make a transition that could have been intimidating into a smooth process. Funding from United Way made this possible for Tyler and everyone in the group.