Alumni Highlights

Last month, Grason, a kindhearted 11-year-old with excellent communication skills, returned to CCHAT, the program that changed the trajectory of his future and provided hope to his family during a time full of question marks.

From surviving the NICU to navigating hearing loss, Reagan has shown a strength and tenacity that has allowed her to overcome a number of obstacles. 

A fresh CCHAT alum, Lilly continues to show the power of early intervention for children with hearing loss, and her parents have been equipped with the tools to help both of their children navigate very different hearing loss journeys.

Thanks to her family’s dedication and CCHAT’s Littlest Listeners program, Olive has become a shining example of what’s possible for children with hearing loss who receive vital early intervention services.

Miller’s hearing loss initially led him to the CCHAT Center at the age of 9 months. Miller enrolled, and the Greenfields began benefiting from the vast line of services provided by the program.

Aria and her family were welcomed with open arms by CCHAT’s dedicated staff. While the path was not without hiccups, Aria soon began to show the building blocks of listening and spoken language development.

Facing the reality of hearing loss, finding success in the mainstream, and returning to CCHAT as a role model, Noah continues to blow past any roadblocks presented by his hearing loss.

Dominique Smith grew up with hearing loss, but because of her amazing family and friends she sometimes forgot she even had to wear cochlear implants. Having a support group around helped her know that she had nothing to worry about when it came to her future or learning abilities. 

CCHAT is proud to watch its amazing alumni students go on to enjoy success after leaving the program. It is even more special when they return to campus as staff or volunteers to give back to future generations of children with hearing loss.

It wasn't until Reagan turned 3 that we found out she was moderately/severely deaf in both ears. We were shocked to receive this news as Reagan and her twin brother, Reid, both had passed their newborn hearing tests.

Two weeks prior to his birth, Kevin’s hospital began administering newborn hearing screenings. Although Kevin failed the screening, his parents were thankful they were able to diagnose his hearing loss so early. Otherwise, it may have gone unnoticed for some time.

If you have attended CCHAT over the past decade, chances are you shared a classroom with a Crable. Parents Shawn and Teresa sent daughters Faith, Hope and Kelly through the program, and all have since graduated and enjoyed mainstream success in their local schools.

In 1996, 12 students with hearing loss began a journey at a start-up program called CCHAT. The small center did not have a track record of success, but it had a dream and a staff dedicated to helping these students become successful in every avenue of life.

McCall Madriago was a member of CCHAT’s second class in 1997, and the foundation of LSL skills she developed at CCHAT have helped her graduate from college, find a fulfilling job and even represent her country as an elite athlete.

As we reflect on CCHAT’s 25th anniversary, let’s check in with Will Andes, a student from CCHAT’s very first class in 1996.

After extensive research and a recommendation from their audiologist, Turiya's family found CCHAT, and it only took one visit to the school to convince them to leave their East Bay home for one closer to the program that would change all of their lives.

When Moses Silchuk joined CCHAT’s toddler class in 2008, his family had more questions than answers when it came to his hearing loss.

Molly Gielar (formerly Magarian) joined CCHAT in 1997, and now 29, she looks back affectionately at the CCHAT program, one that she is committed to help sustain for future families in need of its services. 

Since graduating from CCHAT at age 4, Keira, now 10, has become an accomplished dancer, performing on some of the area’s biggest stages, and her determination makes her family believe that no dream is out of reach.

It’s often daunting when a parent learns their child is deaf or hard of hearing (DHOH), and Marissa recalls it being no different for her mom and dad.

Bryce arrived four weeks early, but despite his prematurity, his doctor was amazed at how healthy he was. He had high APGAR scores, so the last thing we thought about was hearing loss.