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Narada Thomas, CHHA Program Coordinator
These incredible volunteers recently raised over $6000 with their annual campaign Hear2Lead. Narada Thomas, CHHA Program Coordinator, also active in with YAN interviews Keegan Noxell, YAN Treasurer to learn more about YAN’s future plans and connecting with HOH young adults across Canada.
Narada: Tell us more about CHHA Young Adults Network and members, What do you do?
Keegan: We are a non-profit network of young adults aged 18-35 with varying degrees of hearing levels that strives to educate communities about hearing loss and support young adults through sharing resources and promoting community connections.
Our purpose at the Young Adults Network is to raise awareness about hard-of-hearing young adults’ issues and concerns across Canada. Our programs and initiatives have connected 150 plus members with each other and provided support to them to be involved with CHHA and lead a healthy and prosperous life.
Narada: How do members of YAN connect?
Keegan: Over the past few years, we have hosted leadership retreats, virtual events and Summercamp in 2021. We have an active Facebook group where our members interact and support each other. The 2021 Summercamp highlighted the need to be a fierce advocate and promote access for every hard-of-hearing individual in a hearing world. We are now more eager to continue bringing accessible workshops, ranging from advocacy, accessibility in post-secondary or workplace to leadership development, helpful resources, and social events to our members.
Narada: This past summer you hosted a successful virtual summer camp. Tell us how it went and the reaction of participants.
Keegan: Initially, we planned to host the Summercamp in August of 2020 in Calgary, Alberta for six days in partnership with the International Federation of Hard of Hearing Young People (IFHOHYP) and various collaborative partners. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we shifted gears and went virtual in 2021. We had Abigail Heringer, a star from ‘The Bachelor’ season 25, stand-up comedians DJ Demers, Abby Stonehouse, and various professionals with hearing loss. We had multiple speakers covering a wide range of topics such as advocating, personal growth, accessibility in the workplace, and accessibility. Our participants also enjoyed some social activities, including paint night and trivia.
Narada: What are your goals for 2022 and beyond?
Keegan: With Summercamp 2021 in the books, we are eager to continue bringing accessible workshops, ranging from advocacy, accessibility in post-secondary or the workplace to leadership development, helpful resources and social events to our members. The 2021 Summercamp highlighted the need to be a fierce advocate and promote access for every Hard of Hearing individual in a hearing world.
Our members benefited from our social events to make friendships across the country and opened opportunities for them.
We are continually inspired by the connections formed during our events and the success stories and overall positive impact we have made on our members. In 2022, we strive to continue creating opportunities to build lasting connections and valuable resources. In partnership with CHHA-National, its networks across the country and other organizations, we will advocate for greater accessibility in the lives of young adults, including post-secondary institutions and workplaces.
Narada: You recently hosted your annual campaign Hear2Lead. Was the campaign a success?
Keegan: We had another successful year surpassing last year’s amount. For our Hear2Lead campaign, we raised $6,303.00! Every amount helps and we count on these donations to help support several initiatives such as webinars and other events that help us provide resources and other information to hard of hearing young adults across Canada. It is important for us to remain connected and through efforts like our Hear2Lead campaign, it allows us this opportunity to expand, educate and advocate.
Narada: The membership with YAN. What is involved?
Keegan: Our membership is open to anyone between age 18-35 who have a hearing loss. YAN members have multiple benefits with their membership such as discounts on the CHHA e-store, early bird pricing to CHHA National conferences. We encourage young adults across Canada who are hard of hearing to contact us and connect. We have so much to share with each other.
For more information and to become a member of YAN contact Tasha Cox for more details.
YAN is very active on social media. Make sure to follow, like and engage with them. Social media handles below.
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CHHAYoungAdults
Twitter: www.twitter.com/CHHAYoungAdults
Instagram: www.instagram.com/CHHAYoungAdults
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/chhayoungadults
YAN Private Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/CHHAYoungAdults