Why I Believe in the Listen Foundation
I believe in the Listen Foundation because I have lived it.
When my wife and I first learned that our son was deaf, we did not know what to do. We didn’t know where to turn, what his future would look like, or what opportunities would be available to him. We were scared, overwhelmed, and searching for answers.
Then we met Nancy Schenck.
Nancy changed our lives. She helped us understand that with hard work, dedication, and the right support, our son could learn to listen and speak. She gave us something we desperately needed: hope.
Listen provided so much more than therapy. They helped us navigate all the things that come with raising a child who is deaf or hard of hearing. From understanding Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and navigating school systems to making decisions about technology and cochlear implants, Listen was there to guide us. Without Nancy and the Listen Foundation, our journey would have been much harder and far more frightening.
I will forever be grateful for what Nancy and Listen did for our family. That is why I’m so proud to lead this organization today. I know firsthand what a difference it makes when a family finds the right support at the right time.
But our story is just one of hundreds.
Over the years, the Listen Foundation has helped hundreds of children and families navigate the challenges of hearing loss. Every family has a different story. They come to Listen with questions, fears, and uncertainty, but they leave with hope, support, and a path forward. So many share something in common: they came to Listen looking for answers and found hope, support, and a path forward for their children.
Those stories are why this mission matters so much, and they are why we cannot stop here.
The average cost of providing therapy for one child is approximately $5,000 per year. Many insurance companies place limits on how much therapy they will cover, leaving families with expenses they simply cannot afford. We believe a family’s financial circumstances or insurance limitations should never determine whether a child gets the opportunity to learn to listen and speak.
My goal is to build on the incredible work Listen has already accomplished, reach more families, serve more children, and ensure that every child we can help has the opportunity to reach their full potential. But we cannot do this alone.
That is where you come in.
This Colorado Gives Day; I hope you will consider giving a gift to the Listen Foundation. Your generosity helps provide therapy, support families, and allows us to grow our reach so more children who are deaf or hard of hearing have the opportunity to communicate, learn, grow, and live the lives they choose.
Your gift can be the hope a family is desperately looking for. It can help change the direction of a child’s life and give parents the confidence to believe in their child’s future.
I know because it changed ours.
Thank you for believing in this mission and helping us make it possible for hundreds more families.
With gratitude,
Todd Hallberg
Executive Director
Listen Foundation