FNDC & DYT

(Hearing), mom to a Deaf daughter I’m Cecelia Klassen, a proud mom to 3 grown children—one of whom, my middle daughter, Mari, is Deaf. She’s the reason I became involved in creating FNDC all those years ago. And yes its true: I’ve been to 29 Family Deaf Camps on Hornby Island—talk about commitment! Before kids, I worked in a downtown Vancouver law office, but nothing prepared me for the lifelong journey of advocacy that came with being a mom to a Deaf child. My dream was to become a teacher, and while I didn’t go back to school for it, I embraced the role of a "teaching" mom and advocate instead. Funny enough, all three of my kids ended up becoming teachers! Our eldest, Annie, works for the Provincial Outreach Program for DeafBlind Students, Mari teaches ASL & Deaf Studies at Vancouver Community College, and our youngest, Jake, is in UBC’s Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program. My husband, Doug, has the patience of a saint (it’s a good thing, too, since he’s married to me!). He works in healthcare and has been DYT’s Kids’ Camp Nurse for years—something he looks forward to every summer because of the amazing kids and DYT staff. We raised our family in White Rock but now call Kelowna home. We even upsized our house to make room for lots of visitors PLUS our growing family, which now includes three grandkids, three grand-dogs, and one more grandbaby on the way! People often ask me, “Cecelia, when are you going to retire?” And while I’m technically on track for that, my lifelong goal has always been to see real change in BC’s Deaf education system—something I’ve spent the past 33 years advocating for. So, the truth is... I’m not done yet!

(Hearing), Mom to a Deaf son I am a mother of three, a founding member of the Family Network for Deaf Children (FNDC) and currently work in Finance and Accounting for FNDC. My journey as an advocate began in 1995 when I helped establish FNDC alongside Cecelia Klassen, Sylvia Walterhouse, and Kathy Caldicott (deceased). Our goal was simple but powerful: to ensure Deaf children and their families had the support, language access, and community they deserve. Decades later, FNDC has grown into a thriving, professional, and inspiring organization—something I am incredibly proud to have been part of. Family has always been at the heart of everything I do. I’m a proud mom to: Tyrell (my oldest, Deaf), who owns a successful plumbing business. Tianna (my second, hearing), who earned a Master of Science degree in Population and Public Health. Conlan (my third, hearing), who holds a Master’s degree in Biology and married in 2024. I also have a stepdaughter, Lauren, who works as a GIS Tech at Urban Systems. Between my growing family, four grandkids, two dogs, and a horse, life is never dull! I share my life with my husband, Jamie, who is my constant supporter and biggest cheerleader. He frequently asks when I’ll "pass on the baton," but the truth is, my passion for FNDC’s mission still burns bright. For years, FNDC has been fighting for real, systemic change in British Columbia’s Deaf education system. If there’s one thing I want to see before stepping back, it’s true reform—ensuring Deaf children have full language access and an inclusive education that recognizes their potential. Until then, I’ll keep pushing for the change our community deserves.

(Deaf), father to 2 hearing children I’m Scott Jeffery, a proud Deaf father of two energetic hearing kids who keep me on my toes! By day, I work as the Lead in Language Access with Provincial Language Services at the Provincial Health Services Authority. But my true happy place? Being on a cruise ship, exploring the world with my family. I was the only Deaf child in my family, growing up mainstreamed in a Deaf program at Uplands and R.E. Mountain Secondary School (which has since closed). Fortunately, my immediate family learned sign language, making communication at home much easier. My connection with FNDC and DYT runs deep—I’ve been involved since I was 16 years old, starting as a camper, then moving into leadership roles as a Leader, Coordinator, and now Tech Support. Over the years, I’ve stepped away at times, but somehow, I always find my way back—because my heart belongs here. I’m passionate about supporting Deaf children as they grow, connect with their signing peers, and chase their dreams. There’s something truly special about seeing them thrive, and I’m grateful to be part of a community that makes that happen

(Hearing) Mom to a Deaf daughter I was born and raised in Surrey, BC, and live there still with my husband and two children. I first connected with the Deaf community in my teens, after becoming friends with a Deaf coworker. That friend also introduced me to my now husband, who is Deaf. We have now been together for 25 years and have two children, one hearing, one Deaf. In that time, I have been privileged to also work within the Deaf community, primarily as a Registered ASL-English Interpreter, then in some other professional and volunteer positions. In 2021, I joined FNDC and knew instantly that I was home. Raising a Deaf child, FNDC’s mission was close to my heart, and I welcomed the opportunity to connect with and support other parents of Deaf children. I get to work with an amazing team and am so grateful to be able to contribute to the important work that FNDC does.

(Deaf), person Hello! I’m Hilary Potter, a proud resident of Coquitlam, BC, where I’ve lived for the past 30 years. I was born profoundly Deaf, though my diagnosis wasn’t made until I was 18 months old. Before my audiology test, my family took me to see the Nine O’clock Gun in Stanley Park, Vancouver. My mom thought I was going to leap out of my stroller when the gun went off. But I didn’t even flinch or cry. Looking back, I suspect that if I wasn’t Deaf before that moment, I certainly was after it! Throughout my youth and teenage years, I was actively involved in a range of academic and community activities, including peer mediation, a mentorship program, student council, and Greater Vancouver Deaf Curling Club (GVDCC). As I transitioned into adulthood, I had the honour of being appointed to the Board of Directors for several organizations, including the Deaf Children Society of BC, the Okanagan Valley Association of the Deaf, and the BC Deaf Disc Golf Club. For nearly a decade, I’ve had the privilege of working with Deaf Youth Today in various roles, eventually becoming the Youth Development and Outreach Coordinator. Giving back to my community and helping young people learn the values of leadership, advocacy, and connection has always been my passion. My mission is to provide youth with a solid language foundation, build their confidence, and equip them with the tools they need to navigate the world and succeed. In my free time, I enjoy woodworking which is my first love. I learned many of my skills from my Papa and further honed them in the Joinery (Cabinetmaking) program at BC Institute of Technology. I also enjoy watercolour painting, hiking, trail building, reading, camping, cuddling with my pets, and finding moments of relaxation when I can.

(Hearing), person Hello everyone! My name is Andrea, and I’ve been with Family Network for Deaf Children (FNDC) for over 15 years, working with the Deaf Youth Today (DYT) program. My passion is creating fun and supportive programs for Deaf youth. My husband, Terry, and I first joined the organization as Overnight Camp Coordinators for Deaf Youth Training (DYT). We share a deep commitment to giving back to the Deaf community by providing children with opportunities to engage in social and recreational activities in a safe, inclusive, and fun environment. My interest in ASL began when I was young. My cousin had a family friend who was Deaf and used ASL, which sparked my curiosity about the language. While studying in the U.S., I was fortunate to participate in a year-long ASL program and make many Deaf friends at my school. When I returned home to Canada, I started working at a Deaf school, and within a year, I met my husband, Terry, who is Deaf. In addition to my work with DYT, I am the Technical Director for the Girls’ team at the CMFSC soccer club. I created and now oversee the Junior Coach Volunteer and Leadership Program, which empowers young athletes to develop leadership skills. I am truly passionate about leadership training and working with children. What I love most about DYT is the opportunity to help Deaf youth gain valuable work skills while encouraging them to try new things, build confidence, and have fun. Outside of work, I enjoy sports and traveling, with a special love for pickleball. I am dedicated to expanding sports opportunities within the Deaf community. I’m also a proud mother of three—my eldest is in her first year of university (she was just one year old when we attended Family Camp for the first time with DYT!). As a family, we love traveling, playing sports, card games, and simply relaxing together. As a member of the DYT team, I continue to collaborate with my colleagues to create enriching experiences where Deaf children can engage, learn, and grow in a supportive ASL environment.

(Deaf), person I’m a busy father of three and happily married to Andrea. I grew up in Montreal, where I attended an oral school until I was eight before transferring to the Deaf school. Later, I attended a mainstream high school with a small Deaf classroom/resource room and eventually earned my Engineering degree from Concordia University. After graduating, I started working as an on-call teacher and quickly discovered my passion for teaching and working with others. That realization led me back to university, where I completed my Teaching Certificate and a Master’s in Deaf Education. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I now work as the Administrator for the Provincial Outreach Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (POPDHH). When I first moved to BC, I was invited to help as a staff member at Hornby Island Family Camp. The experience and environment instantly resonated with me. The following summer, when the Deaf Youth Today (DYT) program was looking for an overnight camp coordinator, Andrea and I felt it would be a meaningful way to give back to the community. I had attended overnight camp as a child in Montreal and have fond memories of those experiences. Over the years, I’ve supported the DYT program in various roles, including Overnight Coordinator, Mentor, Program Coordinator, and LIT (Leader-in-Training) support. DYT and FNDC will always hold a special place in my heart because I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact these programs have on Deaf children and youth. I’m an avid traveler and sports enthusiast with a love for competition. Growing up, my main sport was hockey, and I was fortunate to travel the world and compete at a high level with Team Canada. My hockey journey took me to tournaments in Switzerland, the U.S., Finland, and beyond. I’ve also had the honor of serving as the Mission Chief for Team Canada at the Winter Deaflympics. I remain committed to giving back to the Deaf sports community and continue to volunteer whenever I can. These days, my favorite activities include playing pickleball, watching my children play sports, refereeing hockey, working out, and spending quality time with my family.