2021 Non-Event

Listen Foundation has an annual fundraising mail campaign each year called the Non-Event that has been going strong since 1994. Its popularity centers around supporting this amazing program in the comfort of one’s own home…no new dress….no babysitter….no rubber chicken…..no lengthy speeches. What’s not to love??!!

This year the Non-Event celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Doreen Pollack (internationally recognized author and expert in the field of Listening and Spoken Language therapy) by telling the stories of two inspirational families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

We also want to take this opportunity to alert people to the dangers of cytomegalovirus (CMV). Both children in our stories begin with their exposure to CMV in utero. What we have learned is that raising awareness of the possible effects of CMV to the unborn child is needed and contact with the virus during pregnancy is avoidable. For more information, see our CMV Page.

Please enjoy these stories and then make a donation to help Listen Foundation create our future success stories!

“WE ARE NOT TRAINING THE EARS, WE ARE TRAINING THE MIND TO INTERPRET WHAT THE EARS HEAR”

– Doreen Pollack, 1970

Doreen’s passion and focus was that more could be done for profoundly deaf children. This position was groundbreaking at a time when most medical professionals did not believe that anything could be done for the profoundly deaf child. Doreen found that most of these children had some usable hearing that could be accessed with powerful hearing aids and maximized through a teaching method that emphasized listening. While observing her own children, Doreen came to understand that learning to listen was the pathway to speech. She was a true pioneer in the hearing and speech industry.

As you read the remarkable stories from the second generation of children learning to listen and talk, their well-developed listening skills and beautiful speech are a continual reminder that Doreen’s vision and dedication forever changed the way we manage hearing loss in children. The family is an essential part of the therapy process and their efforts will ultimately change a child’s life opportunities. Please help us to continue Doreen’s legacy and ensure that no child is ever turned away from this extraordinary program.

Anna’s Story

Derian’s Story

There have been many times when she has announced how thankful she is that she can hear and speak. She truly appreciates the gift.

–Becky, Mother of a Listen Graduate

Help Make a Difference!

Help us fulfill our mission of getting more Colorado children listening and talking. Your contribution is used primarily to fund Listening and Spoken Language Therapy from our amazing network of therapists, helping children desperatly in need across the state.