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Community Corner

The Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness Celebrates the Holidays

GLAD representatives reflect on the past, look to the future.

The 27th Annual Children's Holiday Celebration, sponsored by the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, gets underway today at  Thorne Hall. 

"The Children's Holiday Celebration was started by staff members who encountered clients who could not afford presents for their kids," says GLAD CEO Patricia Hughes. "There was no signing Santa Claus where deaf children could sign their wishes." Although the event is not open to the general public, deaf children and deaf parents with children are invited to come and enjoy entertainment and food.

A nonprofit founded in 1969, GLAD got its start after two Cal State University Northridge graduate students—Henry Klopping and Richard Babb—conducted a study on deafness in Southern California. "The outcome was that there was a huge need for an organization that was of, by, and for the deaf," says Hughes, who is herself deaf. 

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Due to the efforts of deaf advocate Marcella M. Meyers, who died in May 2009, and others, GLAD has expanded its services since it was incorporated in 1971. GLAD's interpreter referral service was established in 1975, and is "the first of its kind in the nation," says Hughes, adding: "GLAD moved on and became one of the largest human services for the deaf and hard of hearing in the United States."

What some residents might not know is that GLAD's Deaf Community Center is located in the heart of Eagle Rock, on Laverna Avenue. The building the center occupies was built in 1927 for the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and by the early 1990s was vacant and in disrepair. The City did not want to demolish the building and, fortunately, GLAD was looking to purchase space for its new headquarters and community center.

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"Marcella Meyers wanted the deaf community to have a place of their own," Elizabeth Luttrell, public relations coordinator for GLAD, says, with the assistance of GLAD interpreter Jainah Ranger. 

GLAD's complex has a curious cross-shaped layout, a feature that the Women's Christian Temperance Union incorporated. The landmark has since been fully updated to accommodate the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing community. The grounds feature a state-of-the-art Visual Communication Center, funded by the S. Mark Taper Foundation, where the deaf and hard of hearing can make video relay calls over the phone and web.

"Apple recently introduced 'facetime' video phone calls, but we have been video calling since early 2000," Luttrell says. The building has a multitude of other deaf friendly features, too, like doorbells with flashing lights and a specially shaped board room table that allows for those seated to clearly see their colleagues signing. According to Hughes, several international visitors come to the center so that they might learn how to accomplish something similar in their home communities. 

At the Deaf Community Center, GLAD assists with everything from community education on deafness to document translation. The center also hosts events, such as plays and workshops. "The most memorable event was the Taste of Food in Eagle Rock at GLAD," says Hughes. "It was great having businesses on our property and it increased GLAD's visibility." In addition, "we have our American Sign Language Classes that are open to the public at a minimal cost," adds Hughes. "They are popular among Eagle Rock residents, too."

Like many other nonprofits, GLAD is currently struggling to keep all of their services available because of a shortage of funds. "We are waiting to hear from the state regarding our budget," Luttrell points out. "We have already suffered two cuts and are trying to find funding so that we can maintain our current programs."

Despite those setbacks, GLAD will continue doing its good work from its headquarters in Eagle Rock. Her hope, says Luttrell, is that "we will always be here and maintain a good relationship with Eagle Rock."

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