Hearing Bridges (formerly League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)

Established as a 501(c)3 in July 1947 but operating since 1927, Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is the only full-service, nonprofit agency in Middle Tennessee providing services to the deaf and hard of hearing. In 2017, programs include Youth Education & Services, (after-school program, camps), Interpreting Services (24,000+ hours annually), and Adult Education & Outreach (AEO). The agency’s mission is to serve an empowered and united community in which the deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing equally participate and are equally valued. The agency’s goals/outcomes for the year include: interpreting services will provide at least 24,000 hours of communication access for Deaf individuals with roughly 75% related to providing critical access to health and/or mental health services. The afterschool program will improve wellness for at least 83% youth as demonstrated by written or verbal survey or staff observation. The afterschool program will improve social-emotional skills for at least 90% youth as demonstrated by written or verbal survey or staff observation.