The Learning Center for the Deaf (TLC) is proud to announce it has been awarded a three-year, $225,000 grant through the Cummings $30 Million Grant Program.
This significant funding will directly support the newly established outpatient mental health clinic at TLC's Walden Community Services, enhancing crucial access to culturally and linguistically affirmative mental health care for Deaf individuals and their families.
As a 2025 Cummings Foundation grant recipient, TLC was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants. The Cummings $30 Million Grant Program aims to strengthen local non-profits and communities by providing vital resources to organizations addressing critical needs.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Cummings Foundation for their generous investment in supporting mental health for the Deaf community," said Elisa Valles, Director of WCS. "This grant will directly benefit our outpatient mental health clinic and allow us to expand our footprint, offer more services in more communities.”
The new outpatient mental health clinic at Walden Community Services addresses a significant gap in healthcare access for Deaf individuals, who often face barriers to traditional mental health services due to communication differences, cultural misunderstandings, and a lack of qualified providers fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). The clinic provides a range of services, including individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, and psychiatric evaluations, all delivered by professionals proficient in ASL and deeply knowledgeable about Deaf culture.
This grant from the Cummings Foundation will also enable TLC to increase staffing to meet the growing demand for services; develop and implement specialized therapeutic programs tailored to the unique needs of the Deaf community, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the clinic.