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DEAF, Inc. Logo

BRIDGING COMMUNICATION ACCESS SINCE 2008

Our Story

Founded in 2008, DEAF, Inc. is a deaf-centric, community-based nonprofit organization located in St. Louis, Missouri. Dedicated to promoting communication access, DEAF, Inc. serves the deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, and hearing community. We are committed to empowering individuals through a range of programs and services tailored to your needs. We believe in creating a supportive, accessible and inclusive environment for all. Whether you're seeking resources, support, or simply a sense of community, this is YOUR place.

Sarah Prechtel: A white woman sitting at a table. There is a low, brown shelf in the background with a white wall and cream curtains. She is signing, "Advocacy" and looking away from the camera. She's wearing a green dress.

Our Team

De Linda Brite: White woman with short greyish/brown hair and glasses. She is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

De Linda Brite

Director,

Community Programs

Leslie Brown: She has long brown hair with bangs. She is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Leslie Brown

Lead Scheduling Coordinator

Kirsten Collier: She has long brown hair with purple tips and clear glasses. She is smiling. Wearing a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo

Kirsten Collier

Scheduling Coordinator

Daymion June: She has tied back hair. She is smiling. Wearing a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo

Daymion June

Community Advocate

Marena Kaminsky: A white woman with shoulder length, dark blonde hair. She is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Marena Kaminsky

Manager,

Interpreting Department

Debbie Kendall: She has long grey hair. She is smiling. Wearing a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo

Debbie Kendall

Community Educator

Lydia Kline: She is a white woman with long, wavy blonde hair. She is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Lydia Kline

Scheduling Coordinator

Rachel Koch: She is an asian woman with her black hair in a pony tail. She is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Rachel Koch

Staff Interpreter

Rebecca Lackey: She is a white woman with long brown hair.

Rebecca Lackey

Staff Interpreter

Matthew Lieberman: He is a white man with short black hair. He is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Matthew Lieberman

Administraive Assistant

Tony Nitko: He is a white man with short white, curly hair. He is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Tony Nitko

Director,  Marketing

Anna Paul: She has long brown hair. She is smiling. Wearing a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo

Anna Paul

SSP Coordinator

Sarah Prechtel: She is a white woman with long, straight brown hair. She is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Sarah Prechtel

Executive Director

Hope Shrake: She is a white woman with shoulder length black hair and glasses. She is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Hope Shrake

Media Specialist

Roberta Thompson: She is an Norweigan African American woman with curly brown hair and brown glasses. She is smiling. Wearing a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo

Roberta Thompson

Scheduling Coordinator

Misty West-Castillo: She is a white woman with grey hair pulled back. She is smiling. Wearing a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo

Misty West-Castillo

Scheduling Coordinator

Devon Whitmore: He is an African American man with short curly black hair. He is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Devon Whitmore

Community Advocate

Stephanie Wilcox: She is a white woman with long curly hair and glasses. She is smiling at the camera with a black polo shirt with DEAF, Inc. Logo. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Stephanie Wilcox

Community Advocate

Inclusion and Belonging

At DEAF, Inc., diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are not just values — they are foundational to who we are and how we serve. Rooted in the lived experiences of the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind communities, our mission is to foster communication access, empowerment, and social equity across all aspects of our work.

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We recognize that systemic barriers have long excluded individuals based on language, identity, ability, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and more. We are committed to dismantling those barriers within our organization and through the services we provide.

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Our commitments:

  • Center lived experience. We honor the unique perspectives of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals and integrate their leadership, feedback, and identities in shaping our programs and decisions.

  • Ensure language and communication access. We champion access in all forms — including but not limited to ASL, tactile communication, captioning, and spoken and written communication —  to ensure no one is excluded.

  • Build inclusive spaces. Our workplace, events, and services are intentionally inclusive, trauma-informed, and welcoming for people of all identities and abilities.

  • Invest in equity. We continuously evaluate and improve our policies, hiring practices, training, and outreach to advance equity within our staff, volunteers, and the communities we serve.

  • Educate and engage. We provide opportunities for growth in cultural humility, social justice, and anti-oppression to ensure our team and partners reflect the inclusive future we envision.

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We believe that diversity strengthens our impact, equity drives systemic change, inclusion ensures dignity, and belonging empowers all of us to thrive.

Board of Directors

Forrest Booth Jr.: He is an African American man with a small beard. He is wearing a blue button up shirt. He is smiling. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Forrest Booth Jr.

President

Director since 2021

Ante Colić: He is a white man with short black hair. He is wearing a dark blue suit. He is smiling. The background is a grey wall with decorative squares.

Ante Colić

Vice President

Director since 2021

David Wasserman: He is a white man with short brown hair. He is wearing a black suit with red tie. He is smiling. The background is a grey wall with decorative squares.

David Wasserman

Secretary

Director since 2021

Valerie Mondesir: She is an African American woman with long coiled brown hair. She is wearing a green top and white necklace. The background is plain grey.

Valerie Mondesir

Treasurer

Director since 2023

Linda Baker: She is a white woman with short brown hair and glasses. She is wearing a green necklace and a dark red top. The background is a grey wall with decorative squares.

Linda Baker

Director since 2023

Michael Boyd: He is a white man with short brown hair. He is wearing a black suit with a patterned tie. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Michael Boyd

Director since 2023

Robert Crowell: He is a white man with white, short hair and glasses. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a bright red tie. He is smiling at the camera. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Robert Crowell

Director since 2023

Laura Shapiro: She is a white woman with long, curly brown hair. She is wearing a bright pink blouse. She is smiling at the camera. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Laura Shapiro

Director since 2023

William Sheldon: He is a white man with white short hair. He is wearing a black suit with a patterned green tie. He is smiling at the camera. The background is grey with decorative squares.

William Sheldon

Director since 2020

Art Silverman: He is a white man with short white hair and glasses. He is wearing a dark blue suit with a patterned purple tie. The background is grey with decorative squares.

Art Silverman

Director since 2023

Career Opportunities

Joining DEAF, Inc. means being part of a team with a singular opportunity to uplift the deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind community in the St. Louis Metro area. Our workforce, driven by our mission and values, is committed to empowerment, awareness, and building a sustainable framework for communication and equitable access as well as inclusion.

NO OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

If interested, please submit your resume, cover letter and a completed DEAF, Inc. application. Send contents to careers(at)deafinc.org for consideration.  

Independent Contract Opportunities

Join our team as an Independent Contractor! DEAF, Inc. is looking for certified and qualified ASL interpreters and ASL Instructors to collaborate with us. If you're interested in partnering with DEAF, Inc., please reach out to us at careers(at)deafinc.org.

DEAFBLIND SSP PROVIDER

SIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTOR

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER

JANITOR SUBSTITUTE

Annual Reports

At DEAF, Inc., we prioritize transparency and accountability in all our operations, ensuring that grants and donations directly support our programs and services. We invite you to explore our annual reports for more information. 

Support Our Mission

Your contribution goes beyond breaking communication barriers for deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind individuals; it empowers them to thrive in mainstream society. 

 

DEAF, Inc. is dedicated to offering diverse and affordable educational and supportive services, addressing communication challenges faced by children and adults in the deaf, hard of hearing and DeafBlind communities. Your gift makes a meaningful impact. 

 

Donate securely today to help us continue our vital work.​​​

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In advance, we express our gratitude for your generous support. Your contribution enables DEAF, Inc. to positively impact the lives of countless individuals in the deaf. hard of hearing and DeafBlind community and their families. 

About DEAF, Inc.

Mission

The mission of Deaf Empowerment Awareness Foundation, Inc. is to Empower, raise Awareness, and bridge a sustainable Foundation of communication and equal access for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and the Hearing communities.

Vision

The organization’s primary vision is to provide services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind, and Hearing individuals, and the community as a whole to ensure effective communication and cultural awareness. This purpose is accomplished through a meaningful unity of community outreach, training, education, advocacy, media, visual arts, and interpreting. The vision reflects a strong sense of community where the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind and Hearing communities are empowered and aware of the importance of equal access to all.

Of, By, For and With the Deaf

DEAF, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded by deaf individuals. DEAF, Inc. provides high-quality interpreting services at low cost in an effort to bridge the communication gap between the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind and Hearing society. Any net income generated from our services is reinvested into programs promoting awareness of issues related to Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind communities.

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