The Savannah Speech & Hearing Center offers a variety of opportunities for volunteers, that includes support for the following:
- The “Speak Easy” Support Group, Open to survivors of stroke, TBI or other conditions affecting abilities to verbally communicate.
- Community hearing screenings.
- Administrative duties.
- Fundraising.
- Sound Start, our early intervention, auditory/verbal program.
**EVEN ONE VOLUNTEER HOUR MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE**
The Value of Volunteer Time, which is updated annually, is made available by the Independent Sector. The current National Independent Sector rate is $28.54 per hour. Despite the ongoing pandemic, SSHC volunteers gave over 495 hours in 2020, valued at over $14,134. We are so grateful!
Please connect with Jenna Harcher, Outreach Coordinator to find out more about our volunteer opportunities by calling 912.355.4601 ext. 132 or emailing JHarcher@speechandhearingsav.org.
The “Speak Easy” Survivors’ Support Group
Meeting Fridays from 10am – 11:30am in our Savannah Center’s main conference room.
Watch this video to learn more about our survivors’ support group at Savannah Speech & Hearing.
Savannah Speech & Hearing has hosted a support group for survivors of stroke since the 1980’s. This free program is now open to not only survivors of stroke, but also traumatic brain injury and other medical conditions that have affected abilities to verbally communicate. Families and caregivers are also invited to join. Some of our members have met together at Savannah Speech & Hearing now for over 2 decades.
The group is hosted by our Outreach Coordinator, supervised by the speech pathology staff and supported by volunteers. Our focus is on improving and maintaining skills associated with speaking, listening, reading, writing and memory through games and art projects.
The Speak Easy Support Group
Hearing Screenings
Savannah Speech & Hearing has offered free hearing screenings to our community since 1954. In 2019 our Center, with the help of a team of dedicated volunteers, managed the screenings of nearly 8,000 school children, referring over 1,000 of those children for secondary audiological assessments to ensure that any possible hearing loss be properly addressed.
Screening hearing involves learning to use a simple, portable screening device called an audiometer. A training session is required, followed by on-the-job practice with an experienced volunteer screener. Hearing screenings are provided to children as well as to adults, at health fairs, wellness programs, public and private schools, church groups, and beyond as a free service to our community.
Watch this video with Caroline Zuck, Au.D. to learn more about hearing screenings by audiometer.
Internships
Each year, talented students from schools, colleges and universities are welcome for one or two semesters. Work experiences supporting classroom learning are available daily! With an advisor’s agreement, credit hours and project fulfillment are applicable. Reach out to us at info@speechandhearingsav.org for more details.
Ashley Rutland Named 2021/2022 Volunteer of the Year
Georgia Southern University alumni, Ashley Rutland has been selected as the recipient of the 2021/2022 Annie F. Oliver Volunteer of the Year award by the Savannah Speech & Hearing Center.
This award has been given on an annual basis since 1978, celebrating extraordinary dedication and service supporting the mission of Savannah Speech & Hearing Center in providing access to comprehensive speech, hearing, language and other therapeutic services that empower and transform lives.
Miss Rutland began volunteering with the Savannah Speech & Hearing Center in January of 2021, committing more than 90 hours helping with community hearing screenings, fundraising, Center administrative duties, the scheduling of other GSU volunteers, in assisting at Sound Start, the Center’s early intervention auditory/verbal program for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, as well as with the Speak Easy, a support group for survivors of stroke or traumatic brain injury.
A native of Lilburn, Georgia, Miss Rutland graduated summa cum laude this year with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Psychology from Georgia Southern University Armstrong Campus. She will begin in the Master of Education with a Major in Speech-Language Pathology program at the University of West Georgia this Summer. She hopes to practice in pediatric speech therapy, specializing in traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.