Jenna Meister's hearing aids
Donation protected
2020 and Covid-19 was a game changer for Jenna Meister, mom to five children ranging from one year to 12! This mom has relied on reading lips to communicate all of her life. Jenna finished her degrees from the youth ministry program at Christ For The Nations in Dallas in 2006 followed by a degree in psychology and early child development from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2007. After living five years in another state, she is currently working toward her goal of being licensed as a professional counselor for families, teens and children and has already been hired to do her practicums and internship by the Arms of Hope Boles Children's Home in Quinlan, Texas, where she will be working with children in foster care. BUT there is one BIG problem.
The deaf and hard-of-hearing who rely on reading lips to communicate are pretty lost in 2020 and in a world full of masks. Jenna has weathered it all so far although she has to explain to people every day why she can't understand them behind a mask and patiently wait while good people with good intentions rip off their masks to enunciateevery syllable. Of course, that means she still can't get what they are trying to say. Now starting in mid-January 2021, she will be offering counsel to foster children who will be talking to her behind a mask. Even if they have a clear mask, there will be a barrier to communication when it is crucial to hear and understand what the little ones are saying.
Hearing aids that block out background noise and work as a bluetooth to microphones (in the classroom) and live stream are very expensive --usually more than $5,000 a pair. Even if she got the deal of the century it would be impossible for this mom who is currently living in an RV with her husband, all five children, and a golden lab hearing dog. [It was supposed to be temporary but they will likely be there another 6-8 months.] In addition to her studies through the A&M campus at Commerce, Jenna works at a nearby Mothers Day Out program, drives DoorDash delivery, and is a full time mama to five children of her own.
Would you be willing to donate to this project of acquiring a good set of hearing aids for Jenna to use in counseling troubled children, teens, and families amid this pandemic backdrop?
The deaf and hard-of-hearing who rely on reading lips to communicate are pretty lost in 2020 and in a world full of masks. Jenna has weathered it all so far although she has to explain to people every day why she can't understand them behind a mask and patiently wait while good people with good intentions rip off their masks to enunciateevery syllable. Of course, that means she still can't get what they are trying to say. Now starting in mid-January 2021, she will be offering counsel to foster children who will be talking to her behind a mask. Even if they have a clear mask, there will be a barrier to communication when it is crucial to hear and understand what the little ones are saying.
Hearing aids that block out background noise and work as a bluetooth to microphones (in the classroom) and live stream are very expensive --usually more than $5,000 a pair. Even if she got the deal of the century it would be impossible for this mom who is currently living in an RV with her husband, all five children, and a golden lab hearing dog. [It was supposed to be temporary but they will likely be there another 6-8 months.] In addition to her studies through the A&M campus at Commerce, Jenna works at a nearby Mothers Day Out program, drives DoorDash delivery, and is a full time mama to five children of her own.
Would you be willing to donate to this project of acquiring a good set of hearing aids for Jenna to use in counseling troubled children, teens, and families amid this pandemic backdrop?
Organizer and beneficiary
Michelle Leal
Organizer
Taylor, TX
Jenna Meister
Beneficiary