It all started.....

in 1994 during a Town Hall meeting in Albuquerque, NM where the Deaf community was searching for solutions to the disproportionate level of access for Deaf individuals to housing, entertainment and employment. The idea of a Deaf Culture Center emerged. This would be a place for events, affordable housing, and jobs. Creating this Deaf friendly place by and for Deaf New Mexicans. The space would be designed by Deaf people who know what accessible devices and designs would be the best fit. 

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The goal was to avoid the "adapted" perspective of Hearing culture to "fit" the Deaf culture.  Thereby re-empowering the Deaf Community.

Since the idea of a Deaf Culture Center seemed a good idea for a name, the group decided to adopt the name of DCC.  

 

From 1994 to the present, the DCC group has hosted dinner fundraising events, potluck dinners, and holiday events. 

Year after year the DCC came together monthly, to host events with the goal of raising enough money for the dream of creating a Deaf Culture Center.  

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In 2008 DCC was approved as an official 501(c)3 organization.  

Since DCC had grown to include Deaf community members from all over New Mexico. The name was modified to be more inclusive to represent all of New Mexico. DCC is now known as "DCCNM" The Deaf Culture Center of New Mexico.  The name honors all who have given their time, creative thinking, hearts and dollars to make this dream become a reality. 

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All this was done in part by a handful of Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf-Blind, and Hearing allies who formed a DCC Focus Group called the DCC Building Project to fundraise enough money to build the DCC Center/Apartments with specific design qualities for Deaf Citizens, Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf-Blind and Deaf people with other disabilities.

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In 2010 DCCNM was introduced to Cardinal Capital Management who are renowned for building and organizing communities who have specific disability needs, such as Autism, Disabled Vets, Deaf and Hard of Hearing. They have been instrumental in bringing DCCNM one step closer to the dream.  

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In 2017 DCCNM's dream building was given a name. This name was selected from a list of community generated names that were then voted on by all participating NM residents. The building became known as The Yucca Canyon Apartments.  The name was chosen to honor our NM State flower, the Yucca, which is also represented in the DCCNM logo, and the Canyon was to honor the Canyon that runs through our city of Albuquerque NE Heights location. 

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In 2019 to the Present:

The partnership with Cardinal Capitol Management had to pause due to some logistical issues. However, In 2021 The Greater Albuquerque Housing Partnership (GAHP) collaborated with DCCNM to build a fully accessible and affordable (Section 8) 92-unit apartment complex. The new location will be at 5000 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. 

Things have been moving at a record pace! Groundbreaking is set for December 2021 or January 2022.

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On September 10, 2021 The new apartment complex now has a new name: PAH! Hiland Plaza. 

The word "PAH!" is the ASL sign that means "Finally". Due to the amount of time and hard work that DCCNM and the Deaf, Deaf-Blind & Hard-of-Hearing community has been doing, once we secured this relationship with GAHP a huge sigh of relief and exhilaration was expressed. Everyone was signing "PAH! We did it!" 

We are thrilled and proud to be working with GAHP in seeing through the building of our new affordable and accessible apartment community. 

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Most current events:

• May 12, 2022 Virtual Groundbreaking Event.  

• January 27, 2023 DCCNM and GAHP did a Walk through of PAH! Hiland Plaza Apartments building. Click for pictures.

• March 2023 people who filled out the interest list will be contacted and asked to fill out applications.

• July 2023 PAH! Hiland Plaza Apartments almost completely filled.

• August 2023 Community Tour

• September 2023 - Move In begins!

• Oct. 18th PAH! Grand opening with GAHP.

• Nov 1st DCCNM moves into new space on 1st floor! 

• Nov. 11th DCCNM Grand opening.​

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DCCNM Mission: The Deaf Culture Center of New Mexico is dedicated to the development, growth & education of our Deaf community in New Mexico and sharing our Culture with our allies.

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DCCNM Goals: Is to advance equality for the NM Deaf Community through advocacy, education and affordable housing. The DCCNM seeks to avoid the "Adapted" perspective of Hearing culture to fit the Deaf culture, thereby re-empowering the Deaf Community. The DCCNM hosts events that celebrate and affirm the deaf community while raising the funds needed to fulfill the dream of building affordable apartment homes and a home for the DCCNM.

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Fundraising efforts continue! Subscribe below to keep informed of our upcoming events. Click here to donate today!

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DCCNM Thanks you in advance for all the support through the years in making this accessible, affordable PAH! Hiland Plaza apartments for Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard-of-Hearing community a reality!