Frederick has long been home to a vibrant and active Deaf community, and is long overdue for a center where deaf people can gather for educational programs and to socialize.
Finally, it's here.
The Maryland Deaf Community Center, the first of its kind in Maryland, will serve the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind communities with a variety of services and programs.
Hundreds of people from across Maryland came to Frederick recently to celebrate the opening.
"I expected a crowd because a lot of people are desperate to have a home," center Vice President Lori Bonheyo told News-Post reporter Katelynn Winebrenner in an interview through an interpreter.
The center has been the dream of many deaf activists in Frederick and around the state since 2019. That year, representatives of more than 20 organizations met to discuss the need for a permanent, accessible gathering place for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.
"This is the best place for Deaf access and signing and sign language and culture," center President Linda Stoltz told our reporter through an interpreter.
The center was built at 720 North East St., at a cost of $6.2 million. The 11,000-square-foot building includes a gymnasium, conference rooms, offices, a kitchen, café area and flexible space for workshops, recreation and social events.
Joshua Finkle, the center's corresponding secretary, wrote in an email that most of the funding came from the state, Frederick County, Rural Maryland Council and the city of Frederick. The federal government, individual donors and fundraising events added to cover the cost.
The Frederick County Department of Aging and Independence will have an office in the center for a new employee, who will focus solely on providing resources for the senior Hard of Hearing and Deaf communities.
Alfred Sonnenstrahl, the senior community engagement liaison for Maryland Deaf Senior Citizens, said it has been difficult for the senior community to organize in Maryland because of the lack of a permanent meeting space and the expenses related to interpreters.
"The hearing people, they have free access to senior centers, free access anywhere, and yet the Deaf had to pay," Sonnenstrahl told our reporter through an interpreter. "That's not fair. ... I really appreciate Frederick County's involvement, and I'm sure that this is the beginning of the beginning for the Deaf senior citizens all over Maryland."
While there will be a special position for seniors, people of all ages can benefit from the center, Bonheyo said.
Parents such as Gregg McConville Jr. look forward to the resources and opportunities for socialization outside of school for their children.
McConville said he's glad his 9-year-old son will have more resources available than he did growing up.
"This would have benefited me a lot," McConville said through an interpreter. "I'm happy that my son will be able to benefit from this."
Stoltz said she hopes people who aren't Deaf come to the center to learn more about Deaf culture and join American Sign Language classes.
While she considers this a win, Stoltz said there should be more spaces like this available in the state.
"We're just one in the state of Maryland," Stoltz said. "That's not enough. That's not going to be enough. I feel bad that they have to drive to come here from other parts of Maryland."
The staff at the center intends to keep track of where visitors come from, to show officials which other Maryland communities could benefit from opening a similar facility.
It is an exciting time for our deaf friends and neighbors. The center represents the beginning of a new era, and we wish them every success.