KODA of Rochester

Welcome to the KODA of Rochester blog!

For the past several years, deaf Rochester mothers Lisa DeWindt-Sommer and Stacy Lawrence often commented to each other on how comfortable their hearing children were together.  They compared notes about the differences between the ways in which their children related to each other and to their hearing school/neighbor friends.

Despite Rochester’s deserved deaf-friendly reputation,  Lisa and Stacy still worried about what their children’s school/neighbor friends might say to them about their deaf parents, and about how their children would react.  They wanted their children to be proud of their deaf parents and their deaf heritage.   And they knew that they were not the only deaf parents in Rochester who struggled with such issues. And so, on February 2, 2006, KODA of Rochester was born!  

As set forth in our Mission Statement, KODA of Rochester recognizes that the KODAs (Kids of Deaf Adults, who are under 18) are a rare breed because of the rich bicultural and bilingual heritage they have inherited from their deaf mothers and fathers. Not only do KODAs have a dual identity, but they also share a special bond. KODA of Rochester promotes that bond by creating educational opportunities for, organizing advocacy efforts on behalf of, and providing guidance to KODAs.  KODA of Rochester supports its own KODAs by raising family awareness about KODAs’ experiences in navigating two unique cultures.  

As just one example of KODA of Rochester activities, we affiliate with Camp Mark VII (in Old Forge, NY) to raise monies for and to administer a Scholarship Fund that provides KODAs financial support in order to pursue various educational opportunities and to attend summer KODA camp at Camp Mark VII.  We raised nearly $2,000 earlier this year to help send a local KODA on an educational trip to China!   

On September 30, KODA of Rochester will be proud to host KODA Alan “Abababa” Abarbanell in a repeat performance of his wonderful tour stop at NTID’s Panara Theater last March.  Finally, we are also hosting our first KODA picnic at Kings’ Bend Park in Pittsford on October 21, 2006.  We hope to see you and your KODAs there! 

KODA of Rochester is open to deaf and hard of hearing parents with at least one hearing or hard of hearing child, and to their children.  We are also pleased to invite CODAs — children of deaf adults who themselves are over 18 — to be involved with KODA of Rochester as Community Liaisons.  

Please do not hesitate to contact any of the board members if you have questions about the organization, and be on the lookout for events and dates on this blog!

KODA of Rochester Board Members:

Co-Coordinators:

Lisa DeWindt – Sommer
Mother of two
ldewindt-sommer.@rsdeaf.org 

Stacy Lawrence
Mother of two
smlbrh@rochester.rr.com

Treasurer:

Chris Kurz
Father of three
cknwkurz@hotmail.com

Scholarship Search Committee Chair:

Kim Brown Kurz
Mother of three
kbkurz@hotmail.com

Public Relations Chair:

Denise Kavin
Mother of three
dkavin@aol.com

Volunteer Coordinator:

Jamie Munro
Father of one
jmunro@rochester.rr.com

Website & Blog Administrator:

Bernard Hurwitz
Father of two
bhurwitz@gmail.com