THE TEAM
committed to making the magic of summer camp happen
Mayra Castro, Camp Director and Founder
I am a New Jersey native and a proud Cuban-American born to hearing Cuban parents. I currently reside in Union City, New Jersey. I am a co-founder of Zoppi Deaf Camp began in the summer of 2016 as a five-day program at the YMCA Camp Linwood MacDonald in Sandyston, NJ. The founders were very pleased to receive glowing feedback from our Deaf youths’ parents, citing: positive attitude, exploration of their empowered identities in Deaf culture, increased awareness of opportunities and a tremendous learning experience.
Currently, I am an advocate for Deaf Children of Color for low-income families to encourage them to participate in summer camp and Deaf youths of color events. I am reaching out to schools in New Jersey to educate the administrators/educators about Deaf youth of colors’ accomplishments and achievements. I am currently giving presentations to administrators and parents. As one of the founder, I wanted to gauge the success of the camp experience. We were able to do so by analyzing the feedback expressed by the parents and the campers. The results were overwhelmingly positive! It was observed that the campers, youths and teens, developed their own Deaf identity as well as increased their personal knowledge about intersectionality, colorism, leadership and self-esteem. This was made possible by the ability of our camp to provide Deaf professionals workshops in American Sign Language which helped the campers increase their education and identity through exposure to Deaf Culture. My passion is to expand Deaf youths of Color to become a better person, develop their interaction, explore identity development and good leaders and give them good opportunity!
Currently, I am an advocate for Deaf Children of Color for low-income families to encourage them to participate in summer camp and Deaf youths of color events. I am reaching out to schools in New Jersey to educate the administrators/educators about Deaf youth of colors’ accomplishments and achievements. I am currently giving presentations to administrators and parents. As one of the founder, I wanted to gauge the success of the camp experience. We were able to do so by analyzing the feedback expressed by the parents and the campers. The results were overwhelmingly positive! It was observed that the campers, youths and teens, developed their own Deaf identity as well as increased their personal knowledge about intersectionality, colorism, leadership and self-esteem. This was made possible by the ability of our camp to provide Deaf professionals workshops in American Sign Language which helped the campers increase their education and identity through exposure to Deaf Culture. My passion is to expand Deaf youths of Color to become a better person, develop their interaction, explore identity development and good leaders and give them good opportunity!
Rev. Bismarck Chau, Founder
Bismarck's Biography is not available.
Andrew Robertson, Assistant Director
Hi! I am Andrew. I love good content, creative thinking, and determination. I am a believer that will get better.
Right now, I help people make amazing things happen with Zoppi Deaf Camp, an volunteer organization that serve diverse Deaf and Hard of Hearing campers in New Jersey. Prior to joining Latino Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association of the Metropolitan DC, Inc (LDHHAMDC). I help promote and increase awareness, as well as support public relations through the art of my work.
Working with Zoppi Deaf Camp founders to familiarize the summer camp website and technique tops my favorite list of projects. I am passionate about social media and brought in to do event photography at National Black Deaf Advocates and Gallaudet Dance Company's numerous events.
I am honored to be a part of the team that have type of leadership. I take an advantage of everything that the Zoppi Deaf Camp offers. He is originally from Reserve, Louisiana and now live in Silver Spring, MD. He is married to Maribel Robertson. He has three children: Michael, Emmanuel and Samuel and two grandsons.
Right now, I help people make amazing things happen with Zoppi Deaf Camp, an volunteer organization that serve diverse Deaf and Hard of Hearing campers in New Jersey. Prior to joining Latino Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association of the Metropolitan DC, Inc (LDHHAMDC). I help promote and increase awareness, as well as support public relations through the art of my work.
Working with Zoppi Deaf Camp founders to familiarize the summer camp website and technique tops my favorite list of projects. I am passionate about social media and brought in to do event photography at National Black Deaf Advocates and Gallaudet Dance Company's numerous events.
I am honored to be a part of the team that have type of leadership. I take an advantage of everything that the Zoppi Deaf Camp offers. He is originally from Reserve, Louisiana and now live in Silver Spring, MD. He is married to Maribel Robertson. He has three children: Michael, Emmanuel and Samuel and two grandsons.
Elisa Velez, Member at Large
I am a Connecticut native and American School for the Deaf (ASD) alumnus. I currently resides in North Brookfield, Massachusetts and I work as a Teaching Assistant at College of the Holy Cross under the ASL/Deaf Studies program at Department of Modern Languages and Literatures in Worcester, Massachusetts. I come from a Deaf Puerto-Rican family. I hold a bachelor degree in Social Work from Gallaudet University.
I had worked in the field of human services for over 15 years in Connecticut and Massachusetts at several agencies, such as D.E.A.F., Inc., Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), ASD – Adult Vocational Services, Family Services Woodfield, Community Enterprises, Inc., to name a few. Also, I have been involved in the Deaf diverse communities on and off over the years. I am known for her talent entertainment, “The Velez Sisters Show” with her sister Ivy.
I am very honored to be part of the Zoppi Deaf Camp team for the first time ever! The Zoppi Deaf Camp is a radical destination because it benefits deaf youth of color by enrich personal growth, gain better self-understanding, great respect for the diverse culture among the youth and acknowledge the depth of Deaf culture and ASL.
I had worked in the field of human services for over 15 years in Connecticut and Massachusetts at several agencies, such as D.E.A.F., Inc., Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), ASD – Adult Vocational Services, Family Services Woodfield, Community Enterprises, Inc., to name a few. Also, I have been involved in the Deaf diverse communities on and off over the years. I am known for her talent entertainment, “The Velez Sisters Show” with her sister Ivy.
I am very honored to be part of the Zoppi Deaf Camp team for the first time ever! The Zoppi Deaf Camp is a radical destination because it benefits deaf youth of color by enrich personal growth, gain better self-understanding, great respect for the diverse culture among the youth and acknowledge the depth of Deaf culture and ASL.
Michael Cataquet, CODA Director
Michael Cataquet is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). He has been working with the New York City Department of Education as a Sign Language Paraprofessional. Michael primarily works with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, between grades K-12 since April 2011. He is also a Sign Language Interpreter throughout the great city of New York since January 2015. Michael has an Associate degree and received his IEP (Interpreter Educational Program) Certificate from LaGuardia Community College in June 2019. On his free time, he volunteers for various Deaf centered organizations and events within the Deaf community. Michael’s ultimate goal is to live a meaningful life. He currently resides in New York City, with his wife and three kids. He can be contacted at michaelcataquet@gmail.com
Andrew Galuskin, Interpreter Coordinator
I'm Andrew Galuskin. I've been an interpreter for 12 years. This will be my third year with ZDC. I'm looking forward to another wonderful summer!
Maria Aponte-Mercado, Spanish Interpreter
I studied Deaf Studies @ LaGuardia College and have interpreted in various capacities, church etc. I also founded ; “Hands On For Jesus Counsel” to meet the needs of Deaf Community .
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