A • M A G A Z I N E • F O R • T H E • C O M M U N I T Y

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Introducing Debbie Mitre-Smith, THI’s New Development Officer - page 7 Where Are They Now? - page 8-10 EHDI - page 12

25th Anniversary Issue

President’s message

2 • S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 • Celebrating twenty-five years!

Twenty-five years!

Dear Friends, It seems like just yesterday that I was sitting across the table at the GPYC having lunch with Fr. Rich Yost, who was head of the Catholic Deaf Center in Detroit. He was telling me of the need to initiate programs for parents with Deaf children who were shortchanging the lives of their children by not understanding Deaf culture, nor sign language and the many future challenges their children would be facing. Undeniably, many Deaf children grow up thinking they cannot succeed in the hearing world and subsequently give up and go on SSI, which often lowers their self esteem and self confidence.

Out of the meeting with Fr. Yost came an idea and mission to work with parents of Deaf children. Joining in that mission was another priest, Fr. Ken McKenna, who helped organize and map out our future in this area. The core idea behind our mission was to educate the parents of Deaf children, to show and direct them in providing an avenue of success for their children. To best accomplish that task, we devised a program whereby parents and children would come together for a solid week in a recreational and educational environment under the skilled hands of successful Deaf college students who would mentor and counsel them in a totally comfortable “Deaf” environment. The teachers would be Deaf instructors, and sometimes professors from colleges where many Deaf students matriculate for their education. We wanted the parents to see successful Deaf individuals in action so that their spirit and example could be transferred to their children.

The primary focus of the week long program was to provide a bonding experience for the entire family, for both hearing and Deaf members of each family to grow more tightly and comfortably together. Some of this was done through recreation, some through education, at time through greater exposure to sign language, and always through the experience of living in the midst of adult Deaf counselors who loved their Deaf language and demonstrated a high level of success in expressing themselves.

Over these many yet quick twenty-five years, our mission has brought several Deaf individuals into their Family Village program who have benefited and progressed personally in their lives and vocations. They have succeeded with confidence in their work and education.

One such individual is Lexi Craig, a Deaf student and soon to graduate with a BA degree from Madonna University. Lexi entered the programs at the Family Village 18 years ago. She is now our new Program Director and we are proud of her accomplishments.

Still another earlier Deaf participant in our programs at the Family Village of more than 18 years is Debbie Mitre-Smith. She is now our new Development Officer. She joins us after 12 successful years as an instructor at Madonna University.

Two other individuals playing active roles in our program activities at the Family Village are Emma Crawford and Paul Kozak, both Deaf. Emma and Paul are our Program Directors and have been so for the past 2 years. Emma is a graduate of Gallaudet University with a major in psychology and Paul will be graduating from Gallaudet this year and moving into a mater’s program. Most noteworthy of all is that both Emma and Paul “grew up” at the Family Village.

These are just a few of the young men and women who have grown up at the Family Village and have moved successfully forward in their lives. After 25 years with the Family Village, I feel a deep sense of accomplishment. The primary reward is that we, WE, all of us, have done a mighty work and have made a difference in the lives of so many others.

The Institute is on very stable ground and its future is brighter than ever. People often as me. “Aren’t you proud of what you have done?” My answer is always the same. “No, not really. I am most proud of what so many others have joined us in doing.” The backbone of the success of the Holley Institute has been the generosity, the financial support, the volunteer hours, the enormous encouragement of so many individuals who have helped create and sustain the Family Village and its work with the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind.

Sincerely,

Ardis GardellaPresident and Co-founder

Fr. Ken McKenna, Fr. Mike Depcik, and Fr. Richard Yost

Dear Friends, Looking back over the 25 years of The Holley Institute, I can see one of the finest ideas was to collaborate with Michigan Ear Institute and Lakeshore Ear Nose and Throat to form the Alliance3.Three separate entities came together several years ago to provide shared patient care, innovative knowledge and a support system that would better benefit those in our care. Since its formation we have all reached greater results through our improved communications and our eagerness to support each other. Two of our Alliance3 doctors who have worked diligently on behalf of their patients through the years are now retiring and we want to pay special tribute to them and offer our deepest gratitude for their many professional efforts. Our deepest thanks go out to Dr. Michael J. LaRouere and Dr Robert Brammer. Thank you for allowing us to share in your outstanding careers . We would further like to pay special tribute to Dr William Rice. Dr Rice has been a name in The Holley Institute from its very beginning. He is co-founder of The Holley Institute and had a major role in founding LakeShore Ear, Nose and Throat. He was also instrumental in bringing the CEO of Michigan Ear Institute to Detroit, Dr Denis Bojrab. Dr Rice is retired but still stays active in The Holley Institute. Our generous thanks to Dr Rice for his long standing help, vision and support. With the Alliance3 in operation we have a lot to look forward to in the future. With the THREE of us working together we can make a substantial impact on the hearing health of many people. We wish you a safe, fun-filled summer. Sincerely,

Dr Daniel MeglerPresident, Board of Directors

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Board Chair’s message

2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORSDaniel DJ Megler, MD - ChairSean D. Gardella - Vice ChairSally A. Cytacki - Secretary

Timothy J. Grajewski - Treasurer

Ardis J. Gardella President - Ex Officio

William J. Rice, MD, FACS Vice President - Ex Officio

Robert E. Hoban, President SJH&MC - Ex Officio

Penelope A. Barker, DO, FACOICaprice W.W. BaunDennis I Bojrab, MDFrank L. Campanale

Richard A. CasteJennifer S. Chope

Judith Dallaire ChristianMichael Depcik, OSFS

Alicia C. KrallFrank A. Nesi, MDMelodie T. Scherer

Mark R. Weber, Ph.D.

HONORARY AND FOUNDING BOARD

John J. AheeMarlene L. Boll

Edmund Brady Jr.†

Walter S. CytackiTy Damon II

Wade R. EdwardsKid Black Fedio

Elizabeth Ann GarberdingJoan S. Gehrke†

Jane T. Holley†

Christopher HunterMary L. Lamparter

Janet M. LoehrMichael A. McIlroy, MDKenneth McKenna, OSFS

Edward J. Russell IIIJohn S. Scherer

Theresa A. SelvaggioDavid G. Silwester

Lydia Taylor†

MaryAnn Van ElslanderJacqueline A. Wetherholt, CSJ

Pamela A. Wong

†Deceased

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St. Nicholas Christmas Dinner Party 2017

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ore than 80 members of the Michigan Ear Institute and Providence-Providence Park Hospital leaders gathered on Feb. 2 to celebrate

the retirement of Michael J. LaRouere, M.D., of the nationally recognized Michigan Ear Institute. In addition to performing surgery, Dr. LaRouere served as medical director of Neurosciences for Providence and was chief of the Division of Neurotology. He was also President of Michigan Ear Institute. In his 30 years, Dr. LaRouere performed a wide array of otologic and neurotologic procedures. He developed many new programs and services, including the Neurotology Fellowship where he was program director. Dr. LaRouere has always been an advocate for his patients and has received numerous awards over the years for his commitment to patient safety and quality.

Providence leaders celebrate retirement of nationally recognized ear surgeon

Pictured here are Doctors Bojrab, LaRouere, Joe Hurshe, Providence-Providence Park Hospital president and Dr. Babu

M

Looking forward to retirement

r. Robert E. Brammer is board certified in Otolaryngology and sub-specializes in Otology/Neurotology (ear-related diseases.) He is a retired colonel in the US. Army Corps,

where he served as Chief of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dr. Brammer is Consultant to the Surgeon General and an Associate Professor at USUHS, Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Brammer earned his medical degree and completed his fellowship in Otology/Neurotology at the University of Michigan. His medical career has taken him from Michigan to San Antonio, Texas and to Germany where he practiced for two years. In 1993 he joined Lakeshore Ear, Nose and Throat and became a partner. As Dr. Brammer plans his retirement, we wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate him on a fantastic career in serving his patients and community. Dr. Dan Megler states that it has been a great pleasure working with him at Lakeshore Ear, Nose and Throat.

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he Holley Institute welcomes Debbie Mitre-Smith as our Development Officer. Debbie is no stranger to The Holley Institute. She was a summer

counselor, technical support/photographer, co-director and recently a presenter, at the Village. She also has an array of professional collaborations with Madonna University, and local and national Deaf-related organizations.

Debbie also ran the Deaf-Hearing Family Literacy Program. Debbie has a strong passion for advocacy, collaborations, and outreach programs for families and children in Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing communities. “I have always truly enjoyed working under this amazing organization. I am looking forward to the growth and opportunities for The Holley Institute and its educational programs and community services, especially for the children who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing.” Debbie said. “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” - Maya Angelou.

Debbie commented on how she is truly blessed to be involved in finding resources for The Holley Institute and looking forward to meeting people out in the communities to give cheerfully, as Maya Angelou quoted above, through volunteering and/or donations.

Intoducing Our New Development OfficerDebbie Mitre-Smith

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he Holley Institute would like to thank Christa Moran for presenting the Advanced Medical Interpreting Training - Preparing To Work In Complex Medical

Settings workshop on Saturday April 21st, 2018 at St. John Hospital & Medical Center. This workshop was designed for interpreters who have medical endorsements or certified interpreters who want to obtain medical endorsement CEUs. We would like to thank our wonderful volunteers that helped our participants navigate to the workshop and cafeteria with ease and made them feel welcome. The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive: • “I did not see the time pass and really learned a lot” (from Christa Moran). • “Very beneficial. I learned new things, and it also gave me confidence in things I have been signing. Love learning from peers I respected.” • “Best workshop I’ve been to in so long! Excited to hear there will be more workshops from you.” (The Holley Institute).

Advanced Medical Interpreting WorkshopT We are currently working on an interpreting workshop for

this Fall. Please check out our website and social media for the upcoming updates.

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Jenny Berrigan A Deaf Counselor and Horse Trail Guide, 1997 to 2001

I’ve learned so much! The value of honesty and integrity. The value of hard work and finding positivity when things get a little rough. Most importantly the value of other people! Everyone brings a little something into this and together it makes for a colorful life.

A quote from Jenny: This too shall pass’ has been my mantra over the years. It’s a reminder that life is fleeing and whatever rough patch I’m in, that’ll pass too.

Paul GlaserA Deaf Counselor and Head Counselor

I worked at the family village for four summers in the early 2000s. It was a blessing to work with Deaf children and their parents. This job was the best gift in my life to show my role model and skills as a Deaf person!

I now work as a Professional Development Specialist at Sorenson (means I teach, train, and mentor to sign language interpreters.) Also I’m a Deaf Interpreter. I am living in Washington State.

Where are they now?

Ryan Turner A Deaf Counselor and Head Counselor

I am currently working as quality improvement for a non-profit community mental health center organization in Indianapolis. I audit clinical documents and collect and analyze data on multiple areas such as quality of service, volumes, access, scorecards and so on. Also, I am currently studying for a MBA for Healthcare Management and I expect to graduate in March 2019. I still have no idea what I want to do within few years. I feel there are so much more to life and I want to experience many things before I settle down with my girlfriend, Kayla. My future plans as of right now are complete school, travel world (I visited 12 countries but I am still not satisfied!), and then hopefully I would figured out what I want to do.

Things I learned from being a counselor: I learned a lot of things so I cannot list all but I will list 2 big lessons: (1) I learned how to work with everyone regardless of the situation we are in. My experiences at the village helped me gain an ability to work with everyone at my current job. (2) Life rewards: I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work at the village multiple times. It is amazing to see how villagers grew throughout years and things they learned about deaf world. Those experiences helped me recognize the difference I made in some villagers’ lives and their visions for their future life.

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Barb KozakA hearing mom villager, 2003 to 2010

I learned how to be a better mom, a better person.

Advice from Barb: Relax stop trying to control the environment around you when you are at the village. Let go and let your kid be a kid. Breath be open to learning. This is village its not supposed to be a 5 star resort. Laugh forget what’s outside of the village. Make the best memories while you can. Before you know

it you will be seated in an room watching your child receive a degree from the University of ... time will have gone in a heartbeat. I close my eyes and I can see Paul laughing playing even teaching another young child. I see opportunities unfolding I see ....so much.

Jordan JonesA Deaf Counselor

I’m an aviation mechanic at Envoy Air, owned by American Airlines, in Chicago.

My best memory from being counselor is when I was a role model to the villagers. I told them all about my traveling across the world and that I can fix planes. I wanted to make sure they find their happiness in the future. It impacted me

when the parents contacted me and said that their children couldn’t stop talking about me, it made me realized that I told them I’ve found my passion and happiness and they want to feel the same way.

Audra Balcarcel A Deaf Counselor, 2013

I am currently living in Montana, where I work as a Behavioral Counselor at the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind. The leadership skills I developed while working as a Desales Center counselor played a part in landing my job! I am so grateful for the experiences I had at Desales because it helped me realize my passion in life- working with Deaf children become the best people they can be!

Advice from Audra: Don’t let somebody else determine what you can or can’t do.

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The Van Dalen FamilyHappy Anniversary from the VanDalen Villagers

Our family truly appreciates all the memorable times we’ve had at DeSales Center. We would like to thank the dedicated people at DSC who welcome every villager with open arms. You helped us get where we are today. Your hard work definitely provides unique opportunities to those who are Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf-Blind and their families.

We are the VanDalens: Dennis, Amy, Sarah, Lucas, and Jacob. Lucas is Deaf and his primary language is ASL. Our family began learning sign language when Lucas was about three years old. When he was 10 years old we went to DSC’s Family Week. One big reason we went was to give our whole family the opportunity to improve our signing skills. We definitely appreciated the ASL classes provided for adults and children, but more so, we enjoyed that everyone was signing at DSC.

Family Week offered so much more than sign classes. It gave our Deaf son a time to shine, and he did. We were happy and proud to follow his lead. My husband and I heard about DSC from a family who went there in the early 90’s when the accommodations were comparable to rustic camping. Our family went for the first time in 1997. By then DSC had developed and The Family Village was built equipped with all the comforts of home. We enjoyed having a private bedroom for our family, clean indoor bathrooms, and a large comfy common area where we could gather with other families. It was like staying at a nice hotel, but instead of merely getting a small continental breakfast, we were served three bountiful, delicious meals a day at the dining hall! We definitely ate well that vacation.

Many of our family outings were spent cooking over a campfire and sleeping in our small leaky tent, so we were very excited to go back to this serene lakefront life of luxury in 1998 to see people we met the previous year and join in the activities that had become tradition during Family Week at DSC: swimming and strolling around the lake on paddleboats, campfires and smores, kids crafts, sharing Mass in ASL at the beautiful chapel, the treasure hunt and the thrill of Fr. Ken’s late evening vampire skit.

During their teen years, Sarah, Lucas, and Jacob each decided to return to DSC to work as camp counselors. One summer was especially memorable for Lucas and Jacob because they worked together. I’m sure supervising and playing with the young energetic villagers gave all three of our teenagers an even greater appreciation for sleep, and of course, for the counselors who had looked after them in the same way. Their roles had changed from being young playful villagers to supportive counselors and positive role models for the families they served.

Lucas eventually became head counselor for a few years which allowed him to be in charge of recruiting counselors and taking applications. He also supervised counselors and helped them plan activities. DSC truly brought out Lucas’ leadership qualities.I was blessed to participate in a Religious ASL Week which helped me be a better interpreter for Lucas at church and gave me a deeper understanding of what I believe as a Christian.

Then, a few years ago Dennis and I were given the opportunity to meet with parents during Family Week to talk about our family. We hope sharing our experiences and what we learned along the way was helpful to them.

Where are we now? At this time we all live in Michigan. Yay! Dennis and I have enjoyed living in Kalamazoo, Michigan all our lives, and we are happy to say we will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary this year. We are blessed with four sweet grandchildren.Sarah graduated from Ball State University. She is a teacher consultant working with teachers and students in the deaf and hard-of-hearing program in VanBuren County. Lucas graduated from Gallaudet University. Just last year he moved from Maryland to Flint to teach and coach at the Michigan School for the Deaf where he was a student from 1st-8th grade. Jacob graduated from Michigan State University. He is a co-partner in his father’s Too Clean company which has been a successful business for over 25 years. Jacob and our son-in-law, Zach, will take over when Dennis retires (or if Dennis retires).

Reminiscing about our days at DSC is a pleasure. We will continue to let others know where YOU are so they can join in celebrating your 50th Anniversary!

Sincerely, The VanDalens

Sarah, Lucas, and Jacob at DSC in 1997 during Family Week; Lucas and Jacob with their team of counselors at Family Week in 2006; and a photo of our family taken in October, 2017

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All profit goes to support the Carls Family Village summer programs for Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing children and

their family members. Come & join the fun! Please check our website & social media for upcoming additional information.

Sat. Nov. 3rd, 2018 1:00pm-4:00pm Woodland Lanes

33775 Plymouth Road Livonia, 48150

 www.woodlandlanes.com

3 hours of fun

2 slices of pizza

refillable pop

shoes rental

50/50 Raffle

Gift Baskets Raffle

Register:

www.holleyfv.org/cc

Corporate Lane Sponsorship: $200

GATHERING ON THE ISLAND

Community Connection Event Fundraising Event

’m still floating on cloud 9. It was the best learning experience I’ve had since I started work at the Holley Institute. That is 100% how I feel about attending EHDI conference. It was a life-changing, terrific, powerful, and inspiring experience. Not just that, I also met so many amazing, brilliant, energetic Deaf professionals. It motivates and inspires me to be the best, to be successful, and be above and beyond where I am right now.- Alexa Craig

“You can do it!” I watched one of our Deaf counselors sign to a little boy who was also Deaf. The boy was working on a painting of a tiger in the art center this summer and all he needed was a little encouragement.“You can do it!” I watched a parent sign to their Deaf child at our Day of Thanks this fall. The child was excited but nervous to ride the pony at the petting zoo we provided.

“You can do it!” Our presenters encouraged the parents of Deaf children at our Family weeks. You can learn American Sign Language and communicate with your child, you can advocate for your child in their Individual Development Plan meetings. “You can do it!” Our American Sign Language teachers express

to their students who come to learn a new language to communicate with the Deaf community.

I have been on the Holley Institute team for almost a year now and am honored to be working for an organization that shares that encouragement with Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-Of-Hearing children, with parents and family members, and with community members interested in becoming more involved with those individuals that we serve. Through your support and partnership, we are able to share that inspiration so that all Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing children can know that they can do anything!

 

Mary Gladstone-Highland, CNP

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Conference 2018

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Director’s message

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C O M M U N I T Y C O N N E C T I O N P R O G R A M

Friday June 15th      6:00 - 8:30 pm Belle Isle, Shelter 8E

Saturday August 18th     10:00 am - 5:00 pm Heritage Park,  Farmington Hills 

Saturday September 8th     10:00 am - noon The Petting Farm, Ann Arbor

Saturday December 1st     1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Children Christmas Party, Southfield 

Check our website for more information

COMMUNITY CONNECTION PROGRAM

Friday, June 15 • 6 - 8:30 p.m.Belle Isle, Detroit • Shelter 8E

Saturday, August 18 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Heritage Park, Farmington Hills

Saturday, September 8 • 10 a.m. - NoonThe Petting Farm, Ann Arbor

Saturday, December 1 • 1 - 4 p.m.Children’s Christmas Party, Southfield

Check our website for more information

The Holley InstituteArdis J. Gardella, President

William J. Rice, MD, FACS, Vice PresidentMary Gladstone-Highland, Director

Debbie Mitre-Smith, Development OfficerLexy Craig, Senior Program Director

Audiology DepartmentB. Jill Courson, Au.D., CCC-A, Lead Audiologist

Glenn Clippard, MA, CCC-A, Audiologist

The Carls Family VillageArdis J. Gardella, Executive DirectorMary Gladstone-Highland, Director

Rev. Michael Depcik OSFS, Spiritual Care DirctorPaul Kuplici, Finance Manager

Maryann Muller, Facility DircectorLexy Craig, Senior Program Director

Program Directors Family Weeks

Paul Kozak, Co-Director Emma Crawford, Co-Director

ACORN Art, Drama WeekCameilla Jeter-Lorello, Co-Director

Founded in 1993, The Holley Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to: • providing life-enhancing programs for the Deaf and those with hearing and vision loss

• providing programs for parents and others raising Deaf children

• screening all infants born at SJH&MC for hearing loss, and

• providing community outreach programs and services related to hearing loss.

The Holley InstituteBoll Prof. Building One, Ste. 223

22151 Moross Road • Detroit, MI 48236-2172313-343-3165 (V) • 313-332-4953 (VP)

stjohnprovidence.org/holley

The Carls Family Village 1142 Ventura Drive • Brooklyn, MI 49230-9078

517-592-6283 (V) • 517-536-1518 (VP)www.holleyfv.org

Please contact us for more information at:

Photos by: Karlest Ford and Jennifer Ilene

Volunteer Appreciation

Y our help was much appreciated at the Fall

event, “A Day of Thanks!” at the Carls Family Village, in November. It was a big event that takes a lot of organizing and without the help of the volunteers like you, it wouldn’t be possible.

Thank you once again for volunteering.

Kind regards,The Holley Institute & The Carls Family Village

THANK YOU

Boll Professional Building OneSuite 22322151 Moross RoadDetroit, MI 48236-2172

Date Activity LocationMay 12 Community Connection Event: “Touch A Truck” DetroitMay 15 The Holley Institute Board Meeting Detroit June 15 Community Connection Event: “Gathering on the Island” Belle Isle July 5-7 Staff Orientation The Carls Family Village July 8-13 Family Week I The Carls Family Village July 15 – 20 Family Week II The Carls Family VillageJuly 22-27 Family Week III The Carls Family Village July 29-August 3 ACORN The Carls Family VillageAugust 5-8 American Sign Language Workshop The Carls Family Village August 8-12 DeafBlind Workshop The Carls Family Village August 12-17 Volunteer Week The Carls Family VillageAugust 18 Community Connection Event: Heritage Park Farmington Hills September 8 Community Connection Event: The Petting Farm Ann ArborOctober Board Meeting TBANovember 3 Fundraising Event: Bowling Livonia December 1 Christmas Party with Detroit Association of the DeafDecember 5 Annual St. Nicholas Christmas Dinner Party Country Club of Detroit

PRE-SORTED NON PROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE

PAIDST JOHN HEALTH

2018Calendar of Events