Da Lighthouse Outreach Holds Annual Summer Celebration

Da Lighthouse Outreach held its annual summer celebration at the organization’s community center.This annual event celebrates achievements in the deaf community. Twin brothers and pro basketball players, Osei and Adei Morris, present awards. End Quote

Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA (1888PressRelease) July 02, 2009 - Da Lighthouse Outreach held its annual summer celebration at the organization’s community center. Directed by Da Lighthouse founder, Jean Simmons, the outreach is a non-profit organization that leads a double-headed mission to serve as an outlet for inner city youth and the deaf and hard of hearing community. This annual event celebrates achievements in the deaf community.

Twin brothers, Osei and Adei Morris, were on hand to present awards to the coaches of the Fairfax High School deaf basketball team who won their championship for the first time in years earlier last month. Signing with the Los Angeles Stars in 2004, Osei Morris became the first deaf African American to play for a professional basketball team. Osei and Adei Morris had many words of encouragement for the Fairfax High School Deaf and Hard of Hearing Basketball Team. This year the team swept to victory and emerged as champions in at the annual Deaf and Hard Hearing Southern California Basketball High School Championship. Teams came from all over Southern California to compete for yearlong bragging rights, and a chance to be a part of a rich legacy of athletic achievement in the deaf community.

The coaching staff made up of head coach, Eddie Hernandez, and assistants, Larry Parker and Donald Marashall, gratefully accepted their trophies of recognition for their hard work and dedication to Fairfax High School’s deaf youth. The coaches are all alums of Fairfax and know the importance mentors make in the life of teen agers. They expressed that as a coaching unit, they work hard to instill responsibility, character, and self-esteem in the members of their team so they understand that a hearing impairment should not stop any of them from achieving their goals. All three coaches are part of the deaf community and relish the opportunity to be role models for others in their community.

Head Coach Eddie Hernandez remarked, “Working with no funding sources and as volunteers has taught us to be resourceful. It also taught the team to be confident despite not having resources available to them. Unlike other teams that competed, the Fairfax High School deaf team did not own training clothes, uniforms, or team sneakers for competition.” Their story is a familiar one and shows that determination and skill can be the recipe for success.

Student members of the Da Lighthouse Outreach from Fairfax High and Jordan High made a strong showing in support of the deaf community. These students regularly volunteer their time and energy for events coordinated by the organization. Attendees donated clothing for civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo. High School student volunteers worked to sort clothes in preparation for shipment to the DR Congo.

Da Lighthouse will be working with the Ebere Knowlazi Foundation and Mothers for Africa next month in support of Freedom March for the Congo, The Power of 99, and other events taking place during Lumumba Week In LA 2009. Lumumba Week In LA 2009 is a week long celebration of the legacy of slain Congolese freedom fighter Patrice Lumumba as well as push to highlight the need for aid for war victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For additional information regarding next months events or press inquires please contact Akofena PR at info ( @ ) akofenapr dot com dot

CONTACT: David Bodger
Akofena PR
David.bodger ( @ ) akofenapr dot com

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