Washington Advocates of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SW WASHINGTON CENTER FOR THE DEAF)

Southwest Washington Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (SWCDHH) is a nonprofit organization that provides for all Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and Hearing loss communities.  SWCDHH is a private property, not a State facility. We have one Community Advocate that works halftime, and one full-time Community Advocate who is also currently a CEO.

We serve more than 125 clients per year, and it is increasing.  We serve several counties such as Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, Skamania, Thurston, Yakima, Tri-Cities. It is a free service for those who seek assistance with hearing aids, assistive technology devices, housing options, employment, and many more.  There is no other Deaf organization like SWCDHH in Oregon, and there are a few organizations which are in Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane and others.  Thus, SWCDHH is the only Deaf Services in the Vancouver area. 

SWCDHH had a break in and destroyed the property badly on September 18, 2017. It was not the first time. The most recent was a graffiti vandalism on May 6, and then on Aug 24, the back window was destroyed by two young boys who threw several rocks,  and they unfortunately were not caught. The break-in devastated CEO and staff greatly because SWCDHH is the only Deaf Center that provides resources and services for Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and Hearing loss communities with full communication accessibility.  

In addition, the insurance will not cover the cost of damaged goods or any property that has been vandalized. The insurance would only cover if the building was damaged by fire or another certain incident. Break in and vandalism are not covered by the insurance at this time. 

Any donation would help to cover the cost of replacing damaged items such as windows, replacing equipment for surveillance video , doors, computer monitors, and a desk chair, which the insurance would not cover due to its policy.  

Since SWCDHH is a non-profit organization, and do not make any profit from it. We rely on the sole funding from Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) in Olympia, but that is for covering  a few staff only.  Any damaged items would not be covered by ODHH or the insurance, so we could use some help from you.  Edited: SWCDHH is a private property, not a State facility, in which is why the State will not cover any damaged goods or any part of the buildings that need to be replaced. 

Any fund will replace new items that are sorely needed. However, any donation of new computer monitors, supplies, windows or better solid doors for each office would be greatly appreciated. Without those items, we cannot provide a safe haven for Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and Hearing loss communities, and without funds, we would not be able to provide further resources and services if SWCDHH  is not in a good condition for the public.  Your help would make a big difference!

Thank you,

Terese Rognmo, Community Advocate/CEO