Longtime followers know how terrific the non-profit organization Smiles for Speech is. With Better Hearing and Speech Month upon us, Smiles for Speech (SFS) is launching some exciting initiatives. You have always been there to support Smiles for Speech’s mission. Smiles for Speech brings SLPs and OTs from the US to communities around the world to train professionals abroad. Share collective therapeutic knowledge to communities that are hungry for that support in the form of techniques and materials.
Smiles for Speech Global TeleTherapy Project
Smiles for Speech is launching a new special program: Global Teletherapy Project. We want to harness power of technology to extend our reach. Read on to learn more (and how you can help):
Smiles for Speech is excited to expand our Global Teletherapy Program. SFS is creating new teletherapy hubs to benefit children with communication disorders. Teletherapy is a sustainable way for children and families to access speech-language pathology services with the training and support needed to be included in their community. The benefits of this program are vital as it helps reduce the stigma of disabilities. Also it helps reduce discrimination that families with disabilities face in developing countries.
With increased visibility in low income communities, this program will help remodel thinking that will mindfully decrease the stigma families face and promote the need for early identification of delays and disorders. The impact will not only help children that will be enrolled reach their greatest potential, but will resonate for decades to come. The teletherapy programs will be a place where US-based professionals and future generations will receive cross-cultural training. Our university programs and interested students will learn how to incorporate critical hands-on cultural responsive practices from a global perspective. Our local teams in Ghana serve as cultural-linguistic brokers. To kick off adding additional schools to our programming, Smiles for Speech will need computers and equipment for virtual learning. Also we need to cover shipping costs for occupational therapy materials and travel expenses for the coordinators.
How You Can Help
Here’s how you can help this tremendous effort: let’s get this up and off the ground in Ghana! We have launched a fundraiser: Smiles for Speech Global Teletherapy Project. Everyone who donates $10 gets a free Smiles for Speech laptop sticker (see the below picture for an example of a sticker and a cute family benefiting from teletherapy).
Teletherapy Needs Right Now
Here’s what Smiles for Speech needs now:
Clinic Supplies and Materials – $3,306
- Microphones, ELMO USB Document Cameras, Therapy Materials, Reproduction and Printing, Shipping
Project Computers – $6,894
- 6 Macbook Pro Laptops for Project Teletherapy Hubs
Travel and Transportation for Project Directors – $4,500
- 3 Project Directors’ Travel Costs $1500x 3
Project Total $15,000
Smiles for Speech is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with disabilities around the globe. Sandy Dorsey is a Black speech-language pathologist based in New York that works primarily with underserved communities. She has made it her mission to do more and make a larger impact beyond her own clients. Sandy created Smiles for Speech to achieve her vision. Smiles for Speech facilitates both in-person global mission trips, virtual workshops and training. Additionally, Smiles for Speech offers global teletherapy services to families in Africa. Those services provided by a team of volunteer, US-based speech-language pathologists. (If you want to be a tele therapist for Smiles for Speech directly)
DONATE NOW: $10 OR MORE GETS YOU A SMILES FOR SPEECH LAPTOP STICKER
Want to Do Even More for Smiles for Speech?
If you want to go above and beyond for Smiles for Speech, you can become a part of the Gold Circle as a member. The Gold Circle Member is a person who is a reoccurring monthly donor at the $100 level. Gold Circle Members will receive and exclusive Smiles for Speech tote and special shout outs throughout the year. Ready to learn more about how to level up your support for Smiles for Speech? SFS Gold Circle Membership