Hi Everyone,

We hope you are enjoying summer and finding time to slow down and relax a bit.

Most of the year, many of us are busy rushing from one activity to another, juggling deadlines, and trying to squeeze as much as possible into our days. In the midst of our frantic daily lives, it is easy to become so caught up in our personal concerns that we hardly have time to pay attention to what is going on in our Deaf community. We might make time to read a few blogs or argue with friends about our position on a community issue. We might even feel especially passionate about a cause or wish there were some way we could make a difference. Most of the time, though, we don't do anything more than sigh and shake our heads about the unfairness/hopelessness/complexity of it all.

Standing up and working for change in the Deaf community and other places can change our lives and those of future generations as well. Not only do we gain social benefits from connecting with other members of the Deaf community, we also have a much better chance of accomplishing our goals when we work together in groups. There is even research showing that we experience emotional benefits from volunteering.

Get involved in your community's National Association of the Deaf (NAD) chapter, ask Deaf Abused Women's Network (DAWN) or your local organizaton for abused Deaf women how you can help, or sign up to mentor a Deaf student or young professional. Buy your next book from a Deaf publishing company or have a Deaf mechanic fix your car. Putting your money into Deaf businesses makes it more likely they will grow and open up new job opportunties for other Deaf people. The more we invest our time and energy in the Deaf community, by volunteering or supporting Deaf businesses and organizations, the more we all benefit, on an individual and community level.

All our best,

Candace and Sharon