“I had a dream, a vision inherited from my father, a pioneer for the Deaf community in Las Vegas, NV. Back in the late 70s and 90s, he alongside two other advocates sought tirelessly for government support to establish a dedicated space for the Deaf—a sanctuary for help, connection, and unity. Despite their efforts, they were repeatedly told that their community didn’t warrant such a space due to alleged low numbers, and that resources should remain concentrated in Carson City. My father knew this wasn’t true, yet he persisted, tirelessly organizing captioned movie nights through Girl Scouts of America, offering what little they could. But it was never enough.
Witnessing my father’s enduring commitment from a young age, as I often interpreted for him, deeply ingrained in me the need for a committed cultural center for the Deaf in Nevada. Though a center did eventually open, it heartbreakingly closed after just two years due to perceptions of insufficient demand. But I refuse to let this story end there.
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new website! Here at Sammy’s D.E.N., our mission is to provide a safe and supportive space for the Deaf, deaf, Hard of…
