ROCHESTER DEAF KITCHEN, INC.

### Context Profile for Rochester Deaf Kitchen, Inc.

#### 1. Organization Mission & Cause
Rochester Deaf Kitchen, Inc. (RDK) is dedicated to addressing food insecurity and unemployment challenges faced by the Deaf community. Their mission is to provide accessible food resources and support tailored specifically for Deaf individuals and families. They operate the Deaf Community Food Pantry, staffed by volunteers fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and knowledgeable about Deaf culture, ensuring a comfortable and understanding environment for visitors. Additionally, they partner with the Rochester School for the Deaf through the Nourishing Deaf Learners program, which offers snacks and support to Deaf students and their families.

#### 2. Type of Activities
- **Deaf Community Food Pantry**: A food pantry specifically for the Deaf community, providing essential food resources.
- **Nourishing Deaf Learners Program**: Collaborates with local schools to support Deaf students and their families through snacks and community engagement.
- **Volunteer Opportunities**: Engages community members in supporting their initiatives and fostering a sense of community.

#### 3. Tone of Voice
The tone of voice used by RDK is **friendly, supportive, and empowering**. The language is accessible and inclusive, aiming to create a sense of community and understanding. The content often emphasizes the importance of donations and community involvement in a positive and encouraging manner.

#### 4. Emoji Usage
The organization does not prominently use emojis in their communications, focusing instead on clear and professional language to convey their messages. This suggests a preference for a more formal communication style, particularly in fundraising and informational content.

#### 5. Key Facts
- **Founding Info**: Specific founding details were not available on the website.
- **Scale**: RDK operates with a focused mission on the Deaf community in Rochester, NY.
- **Impact Metrics**: The organization highlights that 42% of Deaf individuals experience food insecurity and 46% struggle with unemployment, underscoring the need for their services.
- **Volunteer Info**: Volunteers are a crucial part of their operations, especially those fluent in ASL, to ensure effective communication and support.

#### 6. Writing Guidelines
- **Clarity and Accessibility**: Use simple, clear language that is easy to understand.
- **Empowering Language**: Focus on empowering the Deaf community and highlighting the impact of donations.
- **Community-Centric Messaging**: Emphasize community involvement and support, fostering a sense of belonging.
- **Call to Action**: Include strong calls to action in fundraising and volunteer opportunities, encouraging immediate engagement.

This context profile serves as a foundational guide for creating personalized and effective content for Rochester Deaf Kitchen, Inc., ensuring alignment with their mission, tone, and community-focused approach.

LXCL:Includes seeds to bring home.

General Admission

Learn how to successfully start plants from seed in this hands-on workshop conducted in American Sign Language. Participants will explore essential techniques including soil selection, lighting, watering, and timing for strong, healthy seedlings. This class is designed to be fully accessible for Deaf participants and welcoming to all skill levels. By the end, you&rsquo;ll have the knowledge and confidence to start your own seeds at home.

Hi <span contenteditable="false" data-custom-variable="{{firstname}}" fr-original-class="fr-deletable styled-tag-chip" fr-original-style="" style="background-color: rgb(248, 248, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(191, 191, 255); border-radius: 4px; color: rgb(42, 42, 196); padding: 1px 8px; font-size: 11px; display: inline-block; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: anywhere; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;">First name, Thank you for registering for our Seed Starting Workshop!&nbsp; For this class we will provide:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Seed starting soil</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Seeds and seedlings for you to bring home</li></ul> You can bring these (not required):<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Your own seeds</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gardening gloves</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gardening Trowel&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Seed starting trays (if you already have them)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Clean plastic food containers to reuse (yogurt/cottage cheese/deli tubs, plastic clamshells for salad or berries, etc)<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">You can disinfect these containers with a 1:9 bleach:water solution to prevent fungus/mold.&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out!</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Plant labels</li></ul>At home it is recommended that you have (not required, but suggested!):<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Spray bottle to water your seedlings - keeps the soil moist without accidentally washing away your seeds or drowning them</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Plant lights<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Should provide full-spectrum light - many regular light bulbs are designed for people, not plants!<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Regular LED light bulb &quot;daylight&quot; bulbs (5000K-6500K) can work for starting seedlings that will be transplanted outside</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">LED/Fluorescent shop lights will work if placed very close to the soil (around 2-3 inches)&nbsp;</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Grow Light Bulbs (that fit in regular lamps)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dedicated plant lights (can be found for around $20 - good for smaller spaces)</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Heat Mats<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Not required, but good to help &quot;warm-season&quot; crops like tomatoes and peppers sprout faster<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">&quot;Cool-season&quot; crops like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli don&#39;t need warm soil</li></ul></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Keeps soil temperatures at around 70-85&deg; F</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Essential if you are starting seeds in a cold basement or garage</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Only use these until they sprout - roots don&#39;t like being overheated&nbsp;</li></ul></li></ul> If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us!&nbsp; Alaine Thibault &amp; Linzie Fuechtmannalaine@rochesterdeafkitchen.com linzie@rochesterdeafkitchen.com

Learn how to successfully start plants from seed in this hands-on workshop conducted in American Sign Language. Participants will explore essential techniques including soil selection, lighting, watering, and timing for strong, healthy seedlings. This class is designed to be fully accessible for Deaf participants and welcoming to all skill levels. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to start your own seeds at home.

ROCHESTER DEAF KITCHEN, INC.

Seed Starting Workshop April 12

695 Ridge Rd

General Admission

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