Jed and I awoke unbelievably sore. While my body simply creaked getting out of bed, Jed’s wouldn’t cooperate with him at all for a while before he finally could get up. He looked funny walking around like somebody’s grandpa. We just had a short drive to San Leandro to the DeafHope house where a fundraiser was being held to raise money for the organization.

DeafHope was founded eight months ago and bases their offices in the house that Deaf Women Against Violence used to own before they closed their doors. We talked to the director of DeafHope, Julie Rems-Smario, who explained to us that their goal is to combat domestic violence and sexual abuse. The provide counseling and educational services, support groups, as well as help battered women find shelters and other things she might need such as clothes for their kids. They have a strong relationship with the local businesses, who often make donations on request in emergency situations for victims. Local hotels give DeafHope the first night free for women who need emergency shelter as well. DeafHope’s staff numbers almost eight, with all of them working more than full time on a volunteer basis, something that was truly shocking to all of us. We had such a hard time understanding how a group of women could be so committed to working 50-plus hours for nothing in exchange.

They are funded entirely by donations and fundraisers, sources of revenue that bring in far less than what is needed, says Julie. They aspire to buy a house specifically designed as a source of shelter for battered women as opposed to sending them to hotels where they are forced to cope with their problems alone. This forced practice due to funding usually leads to the victim returning to their abuser. The current house which they own is used for offices and as a center for gathering, so they are not able to open it for residency.

Trina Abbott, an advocate and community educator with DeafHope focuses on counseling and helps battered women with their legal issues if there are any. Her main job, says Abbott, “is to be there for the client.” Amber Hodgson, another volunteer who works for DeafHope feels that the need for a shelter is ever important. She feels that Deaf victims who go to hearing shelters are often left alone and the average stay for Deaf victims at a shelter is 48 hours. The average for a hearing victim, she goes on to explain, is a stunning two months. “You can clearly see the trend here, and that is why we need a Deaf shelter. There isn’t a single one in the United States,” finished Hodgson.

True to their word, the reason we were at DeafHope today was because of a fundraiser they were hosting, a art show by Deaf artist Uzi Buzgalo. Uzi specializes in De’VIA, which loosely means Deaf Art. Uzi was born in Afula, Israel in 1956 and graduated from the Jerusalem School for the Deaf. He graduated from the Art Museum of Tel-Aviv with a degree in art before emigrating to the United States in 1986 and marrying his wife Anne Baer. Uzi’s art is very abstract and carries messages through a Deaf voice and perspective. What makes his art unique is that he makes elaborate frames that go with each piece uniquely and by hand. He started this practice when he first bought a frame to put his painting in. He felt that the frame took away from the message and impact of his painting, and needed something that flowed with the painting. He made his own, and hasn’t bought another frame since. Proceeds from the pieces sold are divided between Uzi and DeafHope. Jed was so impressed with one powerful painting, “Life of Hands,” which carried the cover of the brochure for the art show, that he decided to buy it for his girlfriend. Jed was not only impressed with the painting itself, but he felt the need to donate some money to an organization that is filled with heart and passionate people.

After we enjoyed touring the building and standing in front of each painting analyzing every brush and line, we hopped over to a Wi-Fi hotspot at Borders before starting our journey to Sacramento. We were concerned because Kevin was supposed to meet us at DeafHope before going to Sacramento, but he had never come. After getting ahold of Kevin online, Jed came to the decision that we would continue on to Sacramento and finish our trip without Kevin. We would drop his things off at Santa Rosa, his home, and say our good byes before finishing the last half of our tour.

After taking the one hour detour to Santa Rosa, Kevin came onboard the RV for the last time, gathered his things, and we all said good bye. With Jed taking over the wheel for the remainder of the trip, we drove the full three hours to Sacramento and parked outside of Starbucks ready for our day with NorCal.

No, not for the coffee. The Wi-Fi.