YCF and Northern AZ Vision & Hearing Loss Inc., Sign Partnership Agreement

The Yavapai College Foundation and Northern Arizona Vision & Hearing Loss, Inc. have signed a partnership agreement that will bring new educational experiences for Yavapai County residents who live with vision or hearing impairments.

Northern Arizona Vision & Hearing Loss Center, Inc. (NAV & HLC) has generously contributed $360,000 to the YC Foundation for the sole purpose of providing educational, social and assistive services necessary for those who are visually and hearing impaired.

The contribution will be placed in an endowment. The income generated by the endowment contributions will be used for educational programs through life-long learning, educating the community and local businesses to recognize and serve people with vision and/or hearing loss, integrating those with challenges into the work force and providing the assistance necessary for their participation in regular class situations at Yavapai College.

“This is such an important agreement for people in Yavapai County. It is essential to recognize that we all benefit from giving those who have vision or hearing loss the opportunity to more actively participate in our community. The Yavapai College Foundation and Yavapai College are immensely grateful for this generous gift from the Northern Arizona Vision and Hearing Loss Center. This endowment will change lives,” said Steve Walker, Executive Director of the Yavapai College Foundation.

A committee made up of members of the NAV&HLC Board of Directors, members of the Yavapai College Foundation and Yavapai College will meet to make recommendations regarding programs and projects to be developed and delivered and how endowment income may be allocated to these activities.

“The State of Arizona passed a law which became effective in October, 2007, that requires Sign Language Interpreters to be formally licensed. Providing this new training and certification is one example of a new program that might be developed using a portion of these funds,” said Walker. “We anticipate moving on some great projects in early 2008 and that the people of Yavapai County will realize the benefits in the coming year.”