To our Community Members and Supporters,
Wednesday, January 6, was a tragic day for our country as we witnessed violence erupt in the U.S. Capital. This has no doubt affected each one of us and our democracy.
Bridges Oregon rejects violence anytime and anywhere. Bridges Oregon is a nonprofit for Oregonians who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing or face other communication barriers. It is in our mission to facilitate equity, inclusiveness and provide a bridge to opportunities through advocacy, education and communication. We join in unity with the opposition to condemn this violence. We are confident that democracy and justice in our country will prevail.
With three years of continuous commitment, Bridges Oregon has become the only dedicated Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing nonprofit organization that provides advocacy and accompaniment services. With the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant the Oregon Department of Justice recently awarded Bridges Oregon, we will employ a full-time VOCA Client Advocate to provide services to Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing victims.
The incidence of violence is a crime which is what often leads to victimization. With this grant, plans are underway to implement new VOCA Advocacy Services to launch in summer 2021.
Again, many of us are struggling to understand why this violence, which seems to have shattered our core value of democracy, could have taken place in the U.S. Capitol. Let’s stand together and unite with our community and supporters to ensure our core value of democracy remains intact.
Sincerely,
Chad A. Ludwig, MSW, ADAC, OHCI, DI
Executive Director