Today we’d like to introduce you to Maryland Deaf Community Center.
Hi Maryland Deaf Community Center, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Maryland Deaf Community Center (MDCC): Our Story
The Maryland Deaf Community Center (MDCC) began six years ago as a shared vision among several Deaf residents of Frederick County. They dreamed of creating a centralized, barrier-free space where Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals could connect and engage in ways that’s nurture their social, educational, and informational growth.
By 2019, this vision had grown into a formal organization, and in Fall 2020, MDCC achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Just as we began laying the groundwork for our future, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected challenges. Mask mandates, while necessary for public health, created significant communication barriers for our community. Facial expressions and lip-reading—critical components of visual communication—were suddenly inaccessible. For those who rely on residual hearing, masks distorted speech, making spoken messages difficult or impossible to understand. Unlike hearing individuals who access information casually via radio, conversations, or public announcements, Deaf people were left without these everyday communication channels.
In August 2021, a local interpreting agency generously offered MDCC free office space. We celebrated this milestone with a successful open house, attended by the Mayor, state delegates, and thousands of Deaf community members eager to support our mission. Unfortunately, in January 2022, the interpreting agency declared bankruptcy, leaving MDCC without a home once again.
Determined to continue our mission, we reached out to Senator Ron Young in March 2022 for support. Thanks to surplus state funds available due to COVID-19 relief efforts, MDCC was able to purchase a property in 2023 on East Street in Frederick, Maryland. This was a major step toward creating a permanent home for our community.
We hired both an architect and a civil engineer to design a center tailored to the unique needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. A construction company was contracted soon after, and work is currently underway. We are excited to share that the center is expected to be completed by December 2025.
This project represents more than just a building—it’s a space where our community can thrive, connect, and access the resources they deserve.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We’ve been fortunate to have the wonderful support of the State of Maryland, Frederick County, the City of Frederick, and our local community. However, building our Center has required a tremendous amount of time and energy, especially in our fundraising efforts.
Right now, our board consists of just nine dedicated volunteers who have worked tirelessly to raise money for the furniture and equipment needed inside the building. Also, our biggest challenge is securing grants for permanent staff positions to operate the Center and run our programs effectively. Sustainable funding is essential for us to move forward and fulfill our mission.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Although Maryland has a large Deaf population, there is currently no community center that provides a centralized, one-stop hub for full and equal access to information. We are proud to be the first to establish such a center.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Confidence and openness are essential when it comes to meeting new people. As a team, we’ve shared our individual strengths to connect with people from all walks of life.
For example, one of our board members is exceptionally personable and comfortable reaching out to hearing individuals for support. Thanks to her efforts, we were able to gain meaningful backing from both Frederick County and the City of Frederick.
Another board member has cultivated strong relationships within grassroots networks, which has significantly contributed to expanding our connections.
These relationships and networks have been vital in building bridges between the hearing and Deaf communities—an important step toward inclusion and mutual support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deafmdcc.org
- Instagram: deafmdcc
