Silver Medallion Recipient
We are so proud of Anthony Verdeja, the Executive Director from Family Center on Deafness! Thank you Community Tampa Bay for recognizing the amazing work Anthony has done, and continues to do, for the entire community! We are so proud to have him leading our team!
National Legal Interpreter Training
AQI Services LLC held a three day National Legal Interpreter Training at Stetson University College of Law. We are thrilled that Family Center on Deafness was able to collaborate with AQI and Stetson. FCD Board President, Katie Vetter and FCD Board Treasurer, Elizabeth Bonni were participants and volunteers in this three day training! AQI Services LLC, we love how you support the Deaf Community!
Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, is mandated by Section 413.271 Florida Statutes to serve as an advisory and coordinating body which recommends policies that address the needs of Florida’s deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind individuals.
The Executive Director from FCD, Anthony Verdeja, was able to present to the FCCDHH and share the FCD model with the council. There is discussion and planning surrounding the duplication of the FCD model, in various communities, across the state of Florida.
Pinellas Community Foundation Grant
We couldn’t be more grateful to be the beneficiaries of a PCF grant. They have awarded us a grant for the next two years. PCF does so many wonderful things in the Pinellas County community, a HUGE THANK YOU for including us in your generosity!
Florida Council for Exceptional Children Convention
The Executive Director from FCD, Anthony Verdeja, was chosen to present at the Florida Conference of Exceptional Children. He focused on the use of the L.I.F.E. mentoring program here at FCD. The mentors work directly with students to actively show that deafness is not an obstacle, but instead an identity to embrace and celebrate. Our mentors champion the power of connection by cultivating an accessible, language rich environment that opens limitless opportunities for students at FCD. This positively impacts the students' ability to excel in the school system.
2nd Annual Deaf Day with Pinellas County a Big Success!
We had a great time at Deaf Day with Pinellas County, Florida - Free hurricane kits, raffles, and back to school bags from Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind! A huge THANK YOU out to Pinellas County Government, AQI Services LLC, and Ritas Ice for helping to make Deaf Day with Pinellas County such a huge success! Also a big thanks to all who participated and attended Deaf Day, we look forward to seeing you again next year!
Gallaudet President Cordano's Visits FCD!
We are so inspired by Roberta "Bobbi" Cordano! Not only did the President of Gallaudet University invite our students to her office during the Academic Bowl Competition, she took the time, during her vacation, to visit Family Center on Deafness. Here’s a quick video to celebrate her visit. We are truly grateful for her inspiration!
National Council for Exceptional Children Convention
FCD and Stetson University presented on the Hollis LIFE Program, the mentoring program here at FCD supported by the Nina B. Hollis Institute grant. Both FCD and Stetson were proud to be invited to the National Council for Exceptional Children Convention as a feature presentation on Friday March 3, 2023. The presentation, "Community-Based Self-Advocacy Program for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Adolescents," focused on the success of the L.I.F.E program at Family Center on Deafness.
Pinellas Community Foundation SPOTLIGHT Part Three
Don't miss this edition of "Inspiring Philanthropy" to learn about the Family Center on Deafness! FCD Executive Director Anthony Verdeja and Pinellas Community Foundation CEO Duggan Cooley discuss the importance of unrestricted grants and the center's educational efforts on inclusion for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Pinellas Community Foundation SPOTLIGHT Part Two
It is amazing how much support and recognition we receive from our friends at Pinellas Community Foundation! They have made the effort to do a series of videos highlighting the way Family Center on Deafness impacts the D/HH community and "Inspires Philanthropy!" We appreciate having Pinellas Community Foundation as a part of our network of supporters. We are grateful!
Pinellas Community Foundation SPOTLIGHT Part One
We are so proud to have been featured in the Pinellas Community Foundation’s “Inspiring Philanthropy!” Check out part 1 of the FCD series, as Anthony Verdeja, Executive Director from FCD talks with the CEO from PCF, Dugan Cooley. Our friendship with PFC continues to grow and we are grateful for the continued support from PCF!
PPCoC - Exceptional Service Non Profit Award
We were so honored to be chosen as the Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber of Commerce award recipient, for PPMD Exceptional Service Non Profit award. The event on January 27, 2023, held at Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, was fabulous. It was so much fun for us to get dressed up and enjoy great food, people, and a wonderful ceremony. Thank you Pinellas Park Gateway Chamber of Commerce for recognizing Family Center on Deafness.
Good Day Tampa Bay - Best New Year's Day - 2023
We were so excited on January 1, 2023! FCD was featured during the on the Good Day Tampa Bay show. It was wonderful having the opportunity to share our programs and services with the greater Tampa Bay Area.
Disability Inclusion Award - 2022
Family Center on Deafness is proud of Anthony Verdeja! He was awarded the "Disability Inclusion Award" from the National Diversity Council. The ceremony was held in Sandy Springs, Georgia on October 6, 2022.
Tierra Verde Business Partnership
We are so grateful for our friends from Tierra Verde Business Partnership! Their Fall Festival was so much fun and FCD was the chosen non-profit to receive donations. Thank you Tierra Verde Business Partnership!!!
Pinellas Community Foundation
FCD is proud to have been recognized by Pinellas Community Foundation! In the article "Deaf Community Finds Advocacy, Connection and Engagement at Family Center on Deafness," Family Center on Deafness was recognized as an "...essential hub for connection and community building for the deaf and hard of hearing in Pinellas County." We are so very proud! Read the article here.