Training and Advocacy for the Deaf
Donation protected
2018-19:
Hi everyone.
Thanks to your support, 2018 was the best year, ever, for Mav Project. We were able to reach the goal of 10 Deaf Baseball Nights and host 2 Christmas parties for the Deaf and Homeless.
And, I have some great news for 2019!
First, the Christmas parties next month are already paid for. But it gets better. The Deaf Baseball Nights are covered, too! I won’t have to fundraise for the baseball games, this year. The games this year will be exclusively at Minor League ballparks. I don’t have the official schedule, yet, but I do know that we will be visiting new cities, and returning to old favorites, like Frisco.
So, this year Mav Project is fundraising for one thing. Painting. I will continue to volunteer at various events, and advocate at others. But for fundraising purposes, the focus is on painting. For each $400 I raise, between now and August 1st, I am going to paint a house, for a person in need, 100% for free.
All of the painting will take place in either the OKC metro, or DFW metro. However, if you would like a home, or homes painted in your metro area, you can contact me on Twitter @mavproject16 , and we can try to make it work.
As always, donors are welcome to join us at the Deaf Baseball Nights, or even at a job site. I love having volunteers!
Thank you for your support!
2017-18:
Hi, MavProject is now gearing up for 2018.
I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of our effort the last few years. 2017 saw the start of 2 new businesses owned by deaf people, and the continuation of our Deaf Baseball nights. And, of course, there was a lot of painting to do, and food to passed out, as well.
For those who are not familiar with the project, I started MavProject in 2011, with the purpose of helping the homeless in San Francisco. At first, I just gave out food to the homeless, who I encountered on walks through the city. About a month into the program, I started carrying extra cell phones and tried to help people who had lost contact with family. I was able to develop a few relationships with restaurants along Market St. and eventually we created a program where the homeless could earn food by spending time cleaning the streets in the area. Really good food, too. The goal was merely to feed the homeless, but what I saw was, that as these people started working for their food, their attitudes changed. There was a spring in their step. They were gaining confidence and pride.
I moved back to Texas and continued the project, but this time, being deaf, I decided to focus on Deaf issues.
It is estimated that deaf unemployment/ underemployment is over 65%, in a day where electronic communication is the norm. In 2016 and 2017 the project sought to encourage Entreprenuership in the deaf community. I have taught building trades to the deaf in both Texas and Oklahoma ( see: http://splurgeokc.com/bridging-the-gap/ ). I also advise volunteers in starting their own businesses, recruiting customers, and overcoming communication obstacles.
One of my primary focuses is advocacy, and a big part of that is our Deaf Baseball nights. These are a great opportunity for the deaf community to come together and interact with others in a large group setting. This is important, because sadly, much of the community still tends to prefer isolation. One of the highlights of these night, is having the National Anthem performed in American Sign Language. Many events offer a sign language interpretation of the anthem, but at our games the ASL performer is the primary performer.
I have also led groups of deaf volunteers at film festivals, beer festivals, OKC Thunder games, River Sport events, and at the Lyric Theater in Oklahoma City. The point of these volunteer projects is to showcase deaf abilities in a hearing dominant setting. Places that would like never hire the deaf, will gladly take them as volunteers, which is a great way to teach the hearing community ways that they can productive work together with the deaf.
Hi everyone.
Thanks to your support, 2018 was the best year, ever, for Mav Project. We were able to reach the goal of 10 Deaf Baseball Nights and host 2 Christmas parties for the Deaf and Homeless.
And, I have some great news for 2019!
First, the Christmas parties next month are already paid for. But it gets better. The Deaf Baseball Nights are covered, too! I won’t have to fundraise for the baseball games, this year. The games this year will be exclusively at Minor League ballparks. I don’t have the official schedule, yet, but I do know that we will be visiting new cities, and returning to old favorites, like Frisco.
So, this year Mav Project is fundraising for one thing. Painting. I will continue to volunteer at various events, and advocate at others. But for fundraising purposes, the focus is on painting. For each $400 I raise, between now and August 1st, I am going to paint a house, for a person in need, 100% for free.
All of the painting will take place in either the OKC metro, or DFW metro. However, if you would like a home, or homes painted in your metro area, you can contact me on Twitter @mavproject16 , and we can try to make it work.
As always, donors are welcome to join us at the Deaf Baseball Nights, or even at a job site. I love having volunteers!
Thank you for your support!
2017-18:
Hi, MavProject is now gearing up for 2018.
I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of our effort the last few years. 2017 saw the start of 2 new businesses owned by deaf people, and the continuation of our Deaf Baseball nights. And, of course, there was a lot of painting to do, and food to passed out, as well.
For those who are not familiar with the project, I started MavProject in 2011, with the purpose of helping the homeless in San Francisco. At first, I just gave out food to the homeless, who I encountered on walks through the city. About a month into the program, I started carrying extra cell phones and tried to help people who had lost contact with family. I was able to develop a few relationships with restaurants along Market St. and eventually we created a program where the homeless could earn food by spending time cleaning the streets in the area. Really good food, too. The goal was merely to feed the homeless, but what I saw was, that as these people started working for their food, their attitudes changed. There was a spring in their step. They were gaining confidence and pride.
I moved back to Texas and continued the project, but this time, being deaf, I decided to focus on Deaf issues.
It is estimated that deaf unemployment/ underemployment is over 65%, in a day where electronic communication is the norm. In 2016 and 2017 the project sought to encourage Entreprenuership in the deaf community. I have taught building trades to the deaf in both Texas and Oklahoma ( see: http://splurgeokc.com/bridging-the-gap/ ). I also advise volunteers in starting their own businesses, recruiting customers, and overcoming communication obstacles.
One of my primary focuses is advocacy, and a big part of that is our Deaf Baseball nights. These are a great opportunity for the deaf community to come together and interact with others in a large group setting. This is important, because sadly, much of the community still tends to prefer isolation. One of the highlights of these night, is having the National Anthem performed in American Sign Language. Many events offer a sign language interpretation of the anthem, but at our games the ASL performer is the primary performer.
I have also led groups of deaf volunteers at film festivals, beer festivals, OKC Thunder games, River Sport events, and at the Lyric Theater in Oklahoma City. The point of these volunteer projects is to showcase deaf abilities in a hearing dominant setting. Places that would like never hire the deaf, will gladly take them as volunteers, which is a great way to teach the hearing community ways that they can productive work together with the deaf.
Organizer
Mav Nelson
Organizer
Mansfield, TX