Creating and funding programs that help children and young adults with hearing loss participate fully in all aspects of life.
FROM OUR DIRECTOR
Happy Holiday Season!
As 2022 comes to a close we are excited to continue to expand our program support for deaf and hard of hearing children in Illinois. This year we were able to add new music programming, launch a tuition-free music therapy program, add a new clinic to our pediatric loaner hearing aid program, and expand our
education program through the Ages & Stages web-based parent resource.
2023 is shaping up to be another exciting year and we are looking forward to launching a new education literacy program, expanding our school-based music program, and holding events to bring our community together! Mark your calendar for May 6, 2023 - we are hosting Rock the Town for Hearing featuring The Petty Thieves, to raise funds to support our programs for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children.

Thank you for your continued support!
Your donations are crucial in allowing FHSR programs to
remain free to all children living with hearing loss.
We wish you and yours a healthy and happy Holiday Season!

Kristen Van Dyke
Kristen Van Dyke headshot b&w
Kristen Van Dyke, Executive Director
The Foundation for Hearing & Speech Resources (FHSR) develops and funds innovative programs to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Young Adults.
Give the Gift of Hearing
Roselynn is FHSR’s amazing patient champion for our 2022 Annual Appeal!
Born with bilateral hearing loss, Roselynn has overcome many obstacles to become the loving talkative singing little girl we know today.
 
Roselynn’s dad, an avid music lover, was expressing his desire for Roselynn to play an instrument and sadness over something at the time he thought she would never be able to achieve due to her hearing loss. Luckily Roselynn’s parents found out about FHSR’s tuition-free music scholarship program.

As one of the first deaf or hard of hearing children enrolled in the Music To My Ears program, which provides free music enrichment classes for children from birth – four years old and instrument lessons from 4 to 16 years of age, Roselynn started taking music enrichment classes at The Merit School of Music. 
FHSR is excited to announce our
2023 Winter Music Therapy program! 
Classes are being offered
Saturday Mornings at 2 locations
from January 21 thru April 22
Child’s Voice – 9:00-10:00 am
Chicago, IL  

Music Makers - 11:00-12:00 pm
4332 Howard Ave
Western Springs, IL
Explore the benefits of Music Therapy for your child
Created specifically for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children ages 5-8, this unique research based Tuition-FREE Music Therapy Program is being offered on Saturdays January 21 thru April 22 in Chicago and Western Springs.

“Rooted in science and delivered in a fun musical setting, the cooperative nature of musical activities in a music therapy program for deaf and hard of hearing children leads to the use of communicative skills through attaining social goals of turn taking, following direction, cooperation and awareness of others in addition to improved listening skills, spoken language and language development”

Our 2023 the music therapy program will be offered as a 12-week program and will include activities such as focusing on activities such as listening to and making music to encourage careful listening (auditory training); singing and playing songs to support speech and language development; making music together as part of social and cultural connection with others.

The goal of our Music Therapy program is to encourage growth in personal enrichment, self-esteem and oral communication.
Winter Music Classes Start in January
EARLY CHILDHOOD CLASSES

Our Music to My Ears (MTME) scholarship children are placed in classes with their hearing peers to encourage socialization. All of the teachers have been versed on the hearing needs of a deaf or hard of hearing child. Start your child on their music journey and connect sound to movement.
INSTRUMENT, BAND & MUSICAL THEATRE CLASSES

Take piano, violin, guitar or drum lessons; be a part of a band or musical theatre, our partner schools have classes at the entry level up to expert for a wide range of instruments.  


Advocating for DHH Children in School:
The Cochlear Implant Education Coordinator plays a crucial role for children who have implants for assisted hearing. Her work includes:
  • Educating professionals so that children with cochlear implants get the appropriate support level they need
  • Providing information on appropriate accommodations necessary at school
  • Assisting in amending students’ IEPs if necessary in order to optimize their learning.
Jen is a key resource for parents, education professionals and therapists. Thinking innovatively, Jen has guided students and schools to adopt new strategies that leads to improved learning and obtaining vital resources. 
Click Here to sign up!
Help FHSR every time you use Amazon!
Did you know you can support FHSR while completing your holiday shopping on Amazon? 

Simply select Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources as your charity of choice on AmazonSmile.
FHSR wishes you and your family a safe and healthy holiday season!
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