The Bridge Outreach

Our Mission

Our mission is to knock down communication barriers by creating awareness about the Deaf community and the importance of learning American Sign Language. Also, introducing other communities to a rich, vibrant, exciting and historical Deaf Culture. 

We provide Deaf advocacy, community involvement and education to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. As well as education and community involvement for the hearing community

Niccole Pazos began at a young age with her work in the Deaf Community. At 7 years old she was fascinated with the sign language interpreter at church, there she began to learn the language. When she turned 14 she registered for American Sign Language at her high school as her second language requirement. There she became proficient in the language and served over a thousand hours of community service to better the Deaf Community. Niccole feels blessed that she was able to find her passion at a young age, and in High School she decided that she would dedicate the rest of her life to creating awareness about the importance of learning American Sign Language and servicing the Deaf Community. 

Throughout the past 20 years she has worked in varies non-profits for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, but realized that there was more that needed to be done.  She branched off six years ago on her own and created The Bridge Outreach for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She began teaching sign language in pre-schools and teaching mommy and me based sign language programs in local libraries.  

The mission of the Bridge is to knock down communication barriers by creating awareness about the Deaf community and the importance of learning American Sign Language. Also, introducing other communities to a rich, vibrant, exciting and historical Deaf Culture. 

The Bridge's mission is to knock down communication barriers by creating awareness about the Deaf community and the importance of learning American Sign Language. Also, introducing others to a rich, vibrant, exciting, and historical Deaf Culture.

Today the Bridge has expanded from its garage start-up in March of 2015 to South Florida's first and only Deaf Community Center. The Bridge offers one-on-one tutoring for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing while concentrating on ASL's transliteration to English and ASL tutoring services. In the past year, The Bridge has expanded exponentially by adding Florida Telecommunications Relay Inc. (FTRI Free amplified telephones), Vocational Rehab services, and Sign Language Interpretation services.

Additionally, The Bridge offers community education and engagement for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. They offer series and workshops on various topics to educate the local community, summer camps, equestrian camps, and more. The Bridge is also known for its monthly coffee chat event, which engages the Deaf Community, students, and interpreters. This event brings in around 150 community members a month to the community center, creating awareness about the cause and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.

The Bridge is also a community partner with Miami Dade College, Broward College, Nova Southeastern University, and Barry University. They work closely with these colleges and give the students the ability to engage in the Deaf community and practice their sign skills. The Bridge is also the sole provider to all Broward County libraries for American Sign Language Classes. Moreover, the Bridge is well connected and partners at a state level. In January 2018, the Bridge petitioned a bill to Tallahassee to make a text to 911 mandatory statewide. We were able to gain congressional sponsors to push the bill, and the bill was passed that same week (ref-HB729). Lastly, The Bridge is connected with local politicians, such as Senators, City Commissioners, and Mayors, to make the necessary and positive changes to enhance our future goals.

Within the next five years, the Bridge intends on opening a coffee shop where we will employ Deaf and Hard of Hearing workers to teach job, business and potentially culinary skills. Furthermore, the Bridge will also open a self-sustaining farm to help the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community obtain agricultural skills. All this is in hopes that the communication gap will be filled one sign at a time.