Deaf Children Camp Fund 2018
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ZOPPI DEAF CAMP
Inspiring and Empowering Deaf Children
I am Rev. Bismarck Chau, Pastor of St. John’s Church in Newark, New Jersey. St. John’s Church is well known in the Newark area for its soup kitchen, feeding the hungry for over 30 years and also for being the Hub for the Deaf community of many areas in central and northern New Jersey.
As chaplain of the Deaf Community of the Archdiocese of Newark and the only priest that knows Sign Language, I have come to learn about the frustrations and obstacles Deaf individuals encounter throughout their lives.
In the eight years of working with the Deaf community, I found that Deaf children especially lack in communication and reading comprehension skills. I learned how the current school system is not helping enough our Deaf children to reach their full potential. Their reading, writing, and comprehension skills are way below their academic level. Low self-esteem is a big issue among the Deaf youth as well; some of them feel trapped and frustrated and with every reason. I found myself in prayer one day and asked: ‘Lord, what do you want me to do to help these children, your children?” and I began to dream. My dream was to start a summer camp for Deaf Children lead by Deaf professionals to inspire and empower the Deaf youth.
I shared my dream with a Deaf woman, Mayra Castro who happened to have the same dream along with her friend Ryan Cuevas also Deaf, and so it all began to unfold. Last year, the summer of 2016, ZOPPI DEAF CAMP was founded. The Camp was a full week of fun and inspirational talks on self-esteem, Deaf Culture, expressing oneself through art, and Deaf Film festival with Deaf actors and directors. All talks were presented by Deaf professionals with the purpose to inspire and create positive role models for the children.
How will your donations help us?
This year 2017 our camp will run from Friday, August 13th thru the 18th). Your donations will allow us, most importantly, to assist low-income families to send their children to the Camp. The cost per child for the one week is $500. Your donations also will allow us to bring Deaf professionals to share their stories as Deaf individuals and their skills to inspire and empower the children. These funds also will provide for hiring ASL interpreters during the camp. The camp also seeks to provide lodging and meals staff members. Moreover, these donations will cover essential camp materials like water bottles, notepads, T-shirts and travel costs. Your donations will allow for staffing, such as Deaf Camp Counselors and for the rental of the YMCA Linwood McDonald Camp in Sandyston, NJ
Our Mission
The Zoppi Deaf Camp seeks to assist Deaf children to find in themselves their hidden gifts and talents and to use them to become the person they dream to be in the future. Through recreational, educational and leadership programs, they will develop their interaction and communication skills inspiring them to succeed in life.
Our Vision
· Explore and embrace their Deaf identity
· Deaf Adult professionals serve as role models, giving participants confidence for their future
· Increase confidence in participants to become good leaders
· Develop a high self-esteem and positive attitude
· Increase knowledge of Deaf Culture / ASL (American Sign Language)
· Understand cultural diversity and facilitate social interaction
· Literacy development
In short, Zoppi Deaf Camp encourages Deaf Children to become healthy contributors to society and not simply dependents of it.
I’d like to leave you with a story of a young Deaf man who completed High School at the age of 20 and whose dream was to attend College. Unfortunately, his math, reading and writing skills were not at the college level but at an elementary level. Frustration took over his life and became angry with himself. He tried to find a job and no one would employ him. This young man became a dependent of the government and has lost all interest in doing anything for his future. I know this young man has many gifts and talents to offer to society, but the system failed him, we failed him. He had the right to a proper education at the level of any hearing child, but he did not receive it.
Inspiring and Empowering Deaf Children
I am Rev. Bismarck Chau, Pastor of St. John’s Church in Newark, New Jersey. St. John’s Church is well known in the Newark area for its soup kitchen, feeding the hungry for over 30 years and also for being the Hub for the Deaf community of many areas in central and northern New Jersey.
As chaplain of the Deaf Community of the Archdiocese of Newark and the only priest that knows Sign Language, I have come to learn about the frustrations and obstacles Deaf individuals encounter throughout their lives.
In the eight years of working with the Deaf community, I found that Deaf children especially lack in communication and reading comprehension skills. I learned how the current school system is not helping enough our Deaf children to reach their full potential. Their reading, writing, and comprehension skills are way below their academic level. Low self-esteem is a big issue among the Deaf youth as well; some of them feel trapped and frustrated and with every reason. I found myself in prayer one day and asked: ‘Lord, what do you want me to do to help these children, your children?” and I began to dream. My dream was to start a summer camp for Deaf Children lead by Deaf professionals to inspire and empower the Deaf youth.
I shared my dream with a Deaf woman, Mayra Castro who happened to have the same dream along with her friend Ryan Cuevas also Deaf, and so it all began to unfold. Last year, the summer of 2016, ZOPPI DEAF CAMP was founded. The Camp was a full week of fun and inspirational talks on self-esteem, Deaf Culture, expressing oneself through art, and Deaf Film festival with Deaf actors and directors. All talks were presented by Deaf professionals with the purpose to inspire and create positive role models for the children.
How will your donations help us?
This year 2017 our camp will run from Friday, August 13th thru the 18th). Your donations will allow us, most importantly, to assist low-income families to send their children to the Camp. The cost per child for the one week is $500. Your donations also will allow us to bring Deaf professionals to share their stories as Deaf individuals and their skills to inspire and empower the children. These funds also will provide for hiring ASL interpreters during the camp. The camp also seeks to provide lodging and meals staff members. Moreover, these donations will cover essential camp materials like water bottles, notepads, T-shirts and travel costs. Your donations will allow for staffing, such as Deaf Camp Counselors and for the rental of the YMCA Linwood McDonald Camp in Sandyston, NJ
Our Mission
The Zoppi Deaf Camp seeks to assist Deaf children to find in themselves their hidden gifts and talents and to use them to become the person they dream to be in the future. Through recreational, educational and leadership programs, they will develop their interaction and communication skills inspiring them to succeed in life.
Our Vision
· Explore and embrace their Deaf identity
· Deaf Adult professionals serve as role models, giving participants confidence for their future
· Increase confidence in participants to become good leaders
· Develop a high self-esteem and positive attitude
· Increase knowledge of Deaf Culture / ASL (American Sign Language)
· Understand cultural diversity and facilitate social interaction
· Literacy development
In short, Zoppi Deaf Camp encourages Deaf Children to become healthy contributors to society and not simply dependents of it.
I’d like to leave you with a story of a young Deaf man who completed High School at the age of 20 and whose dream was to attend College. Unfortunately, his math, reading and writing skills were not at the college level but at an elementary level. Frustration took over his life and became angry with himself. He tried to find a job and no one would employ him. This young man became a dependent of the government and has lost all interest in doing anything for his future. I know this young man has many gifts and talents to offer to society, but the system failed him, we failed him. He had the right to a proper education at the level of any hearing child, but he did not receive it.
We want to hear successful stories of Deaf young men and women and We believe Zoppi Deaf Camp can help be a springboard to inspire and encourage our young Deaf people to strive for excellence, but they need our support.
Our goal to complete this Campaign is June 2017, so please consider helping us help our Deaf children to discover their own potential, to discover the beauty of their Deaf identity and to become role models for other Deaf children in the future.
Our goal to complete this Campaign is June 2017, so please consider helping us help our Deaf children to discover their own potential, to discover the beauty of their Deaf identity and to become role models for other Deaf children in the future.
Any amount is helpful! Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Respectfully,
Fr. Bismark Chau
Mayra Castro
Ryan Cuevas
Organizer
Rev. Bismarck Chau
Organizer
Newark, NJ
