Magic Of Oral & Signing Education!!

I am proud to introduce The MOOSE Project.  The MOOSE Project stands for The Magic Of Oral and Signing Education.  Our mission is to provide quality education, support, and resources through the use of both sign language and spoken word, or total communication, to not only those affected by hearing loss, but all children, families, and our community. We believe that by offering those with and without hearing loss the use of both sign language and spoken word, we will be giving them the tools they need to form successful language.  

After learning that our son, Asher had inherited my profound hearing loss we began searching for education options for him here in our home of Spokane.  The MOOSE Project began upon the discovery that there are no schools or licensed childcare facilities in central or eastern Washington, as well as north Idaho that specialize in total communication.  The closest option for families wishing to give their children the use of both languages is over 290 miles from Spokane.  We are the only program that provides children and families education, support, and resources in these two languages.  Current offerings are a preschool program for 3 to 5 year olds, MOOSE Summer Camp, a birth to 5 social group, and sign language classes.  All MOOSE activities are open to anyone who has the desire or need to learn in a setting with sign language and spoken word.  

We are an incorporated nonprofit agency and a registered charity in Washington State; and a 501c3 agency with the United States Treasury. Located within the Northeast Community Center here in Spokane, we are able to collaborate with numerous agencies to serve children and families.  September 8, 2014 was our first day of preschool classes following our ribbon cutting ceremony sponsored by Greater Spokane Incorporated.  Future goals are to show success, build on those successes, and grow with the children and families by becoming the leading resource on total communication in our area.  We setting up this Go Fund Me account in an effort to continue our much needed services here in Spokane.  The goal of $15,000 would pay our rent and insurance in full for the entire year to come. 

 Our Board of Directors and staff have worked hard to create our outstanding program.  In the short time that our doors have been open, we have made great strides in the lives of our children. For example, one student entered our program with literally no verbal communication.  After less than eight weeks of total communication exposure, this student was communicating in full sentences in sign language.  These children have language skills.  The problem is that there has not been a place for them to flourish.  Also served by The MOOSE Project are children who have deaf or hard of hearing family members and friends.  Until now, children who use sign language in their home lives have not had a place to communicate in their family’s language.  For the first time hearing children, deaf children, children with speech delays and other related issues are able to communicate with each other and their teacher fully in the language that best suits their needs.  The MOOSE Project believes that by meeting a child where they are at we are offering a successful and nurturing early learning environment.  

The Reverend Jesse Jackson stated that “the problem is not that the deaf child cannot hear.  The problem is that the hearing world does not listen.”  The MOOSE Project is now four years in the making.  We are thrilled to be a part of something so needed and special here in Spokane.  We call it a “Project” because it is continuing to grow and change along with our community.  On behalf of the children and families in Spokane who long for a place where sign language and spoken word go hand in hand, I thank you for your support.  

Warmly,
Kristi Anderson, Director
The MOOSE Project
The Magic Of Oral and Signing Education