Where We’ve Come From…

It all began two years ago as an idea stemming from a college project.

As part of her undergraduate program, Lori Fuller was required to complete some volunteer work. Her idea: to start a new agency to support the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

Originally trying to connect with other agencies, such as Lutheran Social Services, Lori made many connections. Eventually she came into contact with Melanie Blechl, a Sign Language Interpreter from Neenah. The two shared the same goals for what the agency should accomplish.

The duo continued to make contacts with numerous local agencies and even branched out by attending a national conference in DC in 2002.

Eventually, the name Deaf Empowerment was picked, and plans began to form. Seeking grant money, they soon realized an early requirement was to obtain tax-exempt status. As part of this process, and to help form the direction for the agency, Lori and Melanie hand picked key people from the Deaf Community to serve on the Deaf Empowerment Board of Directors.

The Board began meeting in September 2002, and have worked hard at setting the agency’s agenda.

Deaf Empowerment continues to make strong progress, and will soon be a strong supportive agency helping to empower members of the D/HH communities to live productive and independent lives.

… And Where We’re Going

The future of Deaf Empowerment is looking bright, and we are working hard to build an organization that will truly serve the needs of D/HH people in the Fox Cities area.

The primary focus of those working to establish Deaf Empowerment are currently working on receiving a tax-exempt status from the IRS. This means writing Bylaws, and loads of paperwork. When this is finished, the focus will turn on receiving grants for startup costs.

Once the agency has been started is when the full-blown services will begin.

Deaf Empowerment plans on offering many services to members of the D/HH community.

The services we plan to provide include a wide range from supporting people in finding equitable employment, to helping people learn sign language. From taking youth groups into the community to be together with other D/HH children to helping D/HH people increase their reading and literacy skills. From helping with translating written letters from sources such as Social Security to helping people learn more effective parenting skills.

D/HH individuals face many unique and individual needs, and Deaf Empowerment plans to address those needs head-on to help people live more productive lives in their communities. To learn more about the specific services, please see our website.

If you’d like to help us in providing these services, please contact either Lori Fuller (TTY: 920-729-4420 or Loriann@deafe.org) or Melanie Blechl at (Voice/TTY: 920-836-3306 or Melanie@deafe.org).

Lori Fuller

Lori has been Deaf since birth. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, and also attended Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. She has worked in the human services field working in group homes, and providing job placement for individuals with disabilities and mental illnesses.

Melanie Blechl

Melanie is a Hard of Hearing woman who is married to a Deaf man. She is a graduate of North Central Technical College—Wausau with an Associates Degree in Educational Interpreting. Melanie has had experience with rehabilitative services. In addition, she has worked for a local school district as a Sign Language Interpreter and does freelance interpreting.