Hands United Board

Celena Ponce

Celena Ponce our president and the proud godmother of a Deaf Latina young adult whose journey inspired the creation of this nonprofit. Through her relationship with her goddaughter, Ms. Ponce was able to connect with both the Latino and Deaf communities and realize how few services were available in families’ native language, furthering the impact of language deprivation that starkly affected her goddaughter. She also has a history of working with immigrant communities, curriculum creation, technology skills and community organizing that has been key to getting the word out about our services, thereby increasing our impact.

Janice Stotts

Janice Stotts, our secretary, is a Deaf educator with over 30 years of experience teaching English/Language Arts through ASL to students facing language challenges. She has taught middle and high school at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont and the Washington School for the Deaf in Vancouver. Ms. Stotts holds a master’s in special education from Lewis and Clark College and a bachelors in counseling from The Evergreen State College. Along with her teaching, she has helped establish several non-profit Deaf services programs, including Hands United.

Dorinda Davidson

Our treasurer and right-hand woman is Dorinda Davidson. Dorinda, who is Deaf-blind, has had the opportunity to connect with many Latino and Latina young adults alongside Ms. Ponce. It has been an incredible journey watching these young adults grow. As a Deaf individual, Ms. Davidson has witnessed firsthand the lack of resources and support available for families who speak languages other than English. This realization sparked the idea and inspiration to collaborate with Ms. Ponce and create our nonprofit. Ms. Davidson is currently pursuing her Master of Science Rehabilitation Counseling from Western Oregon University.

Certifications Held

Celena Ponce

State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Professional Language Certificate in Spanish

Bachelors of Arts in Liberal Arts with a focus on psychology, anthropology and sociology and a minor in Spanish

Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering with a focus in Digital Sign Processing and a minor in math

Certificate in Immigrant Accompaniment

Oregon State Drivers Ed Certified instructor

Oregon State Health Assister

Health Insurance Market Place Assister

Slingerland Multimodal Instructor

Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED

Certificate of Professional Interpreter in Special Education

RIT Trilingual Interpreter Certification (in progress)

Certificate in Immigrant Advocacy (in progress)

Certificate in Immigration Trial Advocacy (in progress)

Washington State Drivers Ed Certified instructor (in progress)

Janice Stotts

Master’s in Special Education

Bachelors in counseling

Dorinda Davidson

Bachelors in ASL/English Interpretation and minor in health

Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling (in progress)