What We Do
What We Do
We help hearing families navigate life after learning their child is Deaf or Hard of Hearing by providing education, resources, and community connection. Through programs like ASL classes, family retreats, and our CHLP initiative for Deaf children experiencing language delays, we empower families to communicate, connect, and thrive together.
Our History
The Holley Institute was founded in 1996 to fill a critical gap in support for families. At the time, newborns were not universally screened for hearing loss, and many parents—often hearing themselves—received the news of their child’s deafness without access to services, resources, or guidance. From the beginning, our mission was clear: to ensure families had the support they needed from the earliest moments. We began by offering newborn hearing screenings, testing approximately 3,500 infants each year at Henry Ford St. John Hospital.
That same year, we expanded our reach with the opening of Holley Family Village, a 214-acre retreat center in Brooklyn, Michigan. This peaceful, lakeside setting became a place where families could come together to learn, connect, and build communication skills in an environment that was safe, welcoming, and inclusive. Over time, our work grew to include immersive Family Weeks for parents, guardians, and children; year-round ASL classes for families and community members; the Community Health and Literacy Program (CHLP) for Deaf children experiencing language delays; Family Literacy Weekends to strengthen communication and literacy skills; and in-home mentorship and outreach services tailored to meet families where they are.
For nearly three decades, we have empowered families and children through language, education, and connection—building a world where Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals, and their loved ones, are seen, supported, and celebrated.
