Ohio Valley Voices
news & updates
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Silence to Speech Groundbreaking |
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OVV breaks ground for the
Silence to Speech campaign!
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On August 2nd, Ohio Valley Voices hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for our campus expansion and renovation project.
The project is part of our Silence to Speech campaign—a $5.5 million fundraising effort to help more children who are deaf and hard of hearing in the Greater Cincinnati area have access to auditory training and intensive speech and language therapy.
“The expansion of the current building couldn’t happen
sooner. We have toddlers on a waitlist, and it is critical for
these children to receive early intervention for the best life outcomes.” - OVV Executive Director Maria Sentelik
In attendance were the Silence to Speech campaign chair, local government officials, major supporters, as well as OVV staff, children, and their families. How wonderful to have everyone together as we begin this exciting new chapter of the OVV story!
The expansion will include three large Listening and Spoken Language Rooms, three therapy rooms, four offices, a Parent Education Room, a room in the new Academic Program Center, and numerous upgrades to the existing building and property. Expected completion is the end of summer 2023.
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Thanks to everyone who
attended this historic event!
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Click below to learn more and
donate to Silence to Speech!
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Supporter Spotlight - The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation |
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For almost as long as Ohio Valley Voices has existed, The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation has been one of its most passionate supporters.
First established in 1994 by Cincinnati businessman Daniel A. Pfau and his wife, Susan Laufer Pfau, a community volunteer, the foundation primarily supports programs that serve the needs of children, adolescents, and young adults with disabilities and facing economic barriers to success—a mission that closely aligns with OVV’s.
The Daniel and Susan Pfau Foundation first learned of Ohio Valley Voices’ important work in 2000, when OVV submitted a proposal for funding. Since then, the foundation has remained a steadfast contributor to OVV, awarding the organization with ten additional grants toward its programs in support of children with profound hearing loss.
A great many positive memories have been formed over the course of the foundation’s long-running relationship with Ohio Valley Voices, but one in particular stands out. Years ago, as part of a grant application process, OVV Executive Director Maria Sentelik shared a video comparing the speech of recent Ohio Valley Voices graduates to that of children with hearing loss who did not receive early intervention therapy. The difference was like night and day... (read more)
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Have an impact now! Sign up to be an OVV monthly donor! |
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Give our kids fun and useful tools through OVV's Amazon Wishlist! |
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Don't Miss the OVV Fashion Show! |
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Buy tickets now for the
2022 OVV Fashion Show!
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LOVVE Amplified Fashion Show
Thursday, September 29th
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fowling Warehouse
2940 Highland Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45212
General Admission - $80
VIP - $100
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You're invited to the 2022 LOVVE Amplified Fashion Show!
Ohio Valley Voices is partnering with University of Cincinnati’s DAAP Fashion Program for a one-of-a-kind fundraising event to benefit current and future generations of OVV children.
Arrive early to enjoy food and drinks, vendors, a silent auction, raffles, and more. Then stick around for the main event—a hip, high-energy fashion show featuring OVV community members and professional models wearing the latest styles. You don't want to miss it!
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Click below to buy your
OVV Fashion Show tickets!
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Student Spotlight - Brayden Sharp |
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For Brayden Sharp, the sky’s the limit. His mother, Katie, describes Brayden as exceptionally determined. Since he was a baby, he’s been exceeding every medical expectation.
Brayden was born on September 3, 2019, in Lexington, Kentucky. Three weeks later, he was diagnosed with profound bilateral hearing loss. Katie vividly remembers that day in the NICU. When the audiologist walked into the room, she was upbeat and friendly, but her smile gradually faded as she conducted Brayden’s tests. Katie’s husband, Jeremy, was Googling what the test results meant as they appeared. Before the tests were halfway over, Katie could piece together the diagnosis based on their faces.
Brayden proceeded to spend the next few months in and out of the hospital. He also has complex GI issues, and when he was three months old, his hospital in Lexington reached the end of their capacity to assist him. He was then sent to Cincinnati Children’s the day after Christmas 2019. Brayden was admitted to Children’s for a month and a half during his first stay and for three months during his second. Throughout that time, Katie and Jeremy met numerous medical professionals. A few of them mentioned Ohio Valley Voices, which soon led to a phone call with OVV’s Executive Director, Maria Sentelik. Maria told Katie that if she moved to Cincinnati, there would be a spot for Brayden at OVV... (read more)
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Have you heard?
If you buy or sell a home with Team Lach,
you'll be helping the kids of OVV!
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Ohio Valley Voices is partnering with one of Cincinnati's leading real estate teams—Team Lach Sibcy Cline—for an exciting philanthropic initiative called Homes for Hearing.
Patrick and Kristie of Team Lach believe so strongly in OVV's mission that they're donating 5% of the commissions from every home sale toward our programs. Their generous contribution will help ensure that all children with hearing loss in the Greater Cincinnati area have access to Ohio Valley Voices' life-changing programs.
Looking to buy or sell a house? Contact Team Lach to find your dream home—and provide a home for the kids of OVV too!
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Click the button below to watch
the Homes for Hearing video!
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Staff Spotlight - Leslie Raulie |
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A self-described Jill-of-all-trades, Leslie Raulie began her career as a speech therapist, helping students overcome an assortment of learning challenges. But after working in public schools for years, she decided she wanted to specialize and have a greater impact.
When Leslie came across a job opening at Ohio Valley Voices, she jumped at the opportunity. She was excited to learn more about deaf education and listening and spoken language therapy in particular.
“Once I started working with the families and kids I knew it was a special place,” Leslie says. “The atmosphere was infectious. It was amazing to be a part of something that would be so impactful in the lives of these children, to be a part of their story.”
Leslie grew up just outside of Toledo. She studied as an undergraduate at Miami University before attending Ohio University to earn her master’s in Speech Language Pathology. Following graduation, she moved back to northwest Ohio to begin her stint in public schools.
Now married, Leslie enjoys gardening, swimming, and boating with her husband Jeff and their two-and-half-year-old son Levi. Last summer, the Raulies released six monarch butterflies into the wild after caring for them as caterpillars for several weeks. They also get endless entertainment out of their “funny yet high maintenance” miniature dachshund, Lucy... (read more)
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See You Tomorrow at the Polo Grounds! |
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See you tomorrow
at the Polo Grounds!
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Come witness a sporting event like no other
and support the children of OVV!
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Ohio Valley Voices is once again teaming up with Cincinnati
Polo Club for a charity match tomorrow, Saturday, August 13th
at their home field. That's right, tomorrow!
Cincinnati Polo Club Charity Match
Saturday, August 13 - 2:00 PM
10355 Dallasburg Road
Loveland, OH 45140
Entrance Fee - $20 Per Car
Tailgating with your own food and drinks is encouraged. Half of all ticket sales go to OVV's early intervention programs, so come help our children while enjoying this unique, family friendly event!
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Visit the Polo Club
website to learn more!
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OVV Summer Camp
was a total blast!
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This summer, OVV hosted not one but two summer camps
for our children—Drama Camp for our younger alumni (ages 5-7) and Summer Fun Camp for our older alumni (ages 8-12).
Campers created their own theatrical productions, explored
the great outdoors, and, best of all, reunited with old friends!
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Special Thanks to These Partners: |
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Dr. Nancy A. Creaghead
Northeast Orthodontic
Specialists
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The David J. Joseph
Company
Anonymous
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