DeafHope was founded in January, 2003. Women from the Deaf community came together because they saw the need for domestic and sexual violence services for Deaf survivors in California. The goal was to provide direct services to any Deaf survivor, and to provide training and support to other areas of California establishing Deaf domestic violence services. These founders were: Julie Rems-Smario, Kate Kovacs, Jane Whitney, Trina Licht, Wenda Whalen, Amber Hodson, Cheryl Bella, and Julie Bella.
Four of the founders of DeafHope continue to do advocacy and fundraising work. Julie Rems-Smario (upper right) is the Executive Director. Jane Whitney (bottom right) is a full time advocate, a position made possible by the Blue Shield of California Foundation. Amber Hodson (bottom center) is the volunteer program coordinator/case manager. Trina Licht (bottom left) continues to volunteer her time with fundraising events to support DeafHope. Brian Berlinski (upper left) is the new addition to the DeafHope family as our art therapist and youth program coordinator. His position is made possible by Starbucks’ California Grants for Giving and 49er Communications.
At DeafHope we are committed to providing the services that Deaf survivors and their children need to be safe.
