Conversations with Amy Gomme

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Gomme. 

Hi Amy, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
While growing up in a rural area north of New Mexico, I was a child of a Deaf family. I saw first handedly how hard it was to navigate through the world. A lot of resources were not accessible for Deaf individuals, let alone individuals in the rural area. After graduating from the New Mexico School for the Deaf, I attended the Rochester Institute of Technology. It was there that I noticed that there were still unequal opportunities for Deaf/DeafBlind/DeafDisabled/Hard of Hearing/LateDeafened (Deaf*) individuals. Not every student knew about summer internship opportunities, every certification training available, or any supplemental information that might have helped them after graduation. It was around this time that I realized that my passion is working with Deaf* individuals. I wanted to support the ability to enhance the livelihood of these individuals within our Deaf* community. Upon my return back to New Mexico, I joined a non-profit organization that allowed me to give back to the community as well as work collaboratively with various organizations/agencies to support and strengthen the Deaf* community. 

During my six-year time period at the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf-New Mexico, I believed in the ability to empower my staff to think outside the box which led to the formation of the Summer Youth Program. This program was geared towards transitional-age youth with the goal of understanding and obtaining employment after graduation. I am proud to say that 10 of the 12 students obtained employment after graduation. My knowledge and ability to ensure budgeting, fundraising, and coordination of events grew exponentially as a result of this project. 

From the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf-New Mexico to Deputy Director of Deaf Counseling Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA), I continued to develop and refine my abilities to lead, supervise, and brainstorm various ideas for programs, events, and more. During my tenure as the Deputy Director, I immediately developed several policies and developed training procedures for in-person services following the pandemic in 2020. These policies were aimed towards bringing DCARA into compliance with various human resources and payroll laws. 

Today I am DCARA’s, Executive Director. While continuing to bring DCARA into legal compliance, my focus has been on overall organizational management, which includes financial oversight and management, rebuilding existing and creating new community partnerships, organizational restructuring, maintaining open communication and transparency with the staff and community, and optimizing staff productivity. 

I also served as the Vice President of the National Association of the Deaf, where I contributed to many discussions about nationwide issues related to the Deaf* community, politics, and advocacy. These days, I continue to be committed to being involved with various Deaf organizations in New Mexico and California, as it is close to my heart. The community is something that I see to be of utmost importance in my life, my work, and my heart. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has not been a smooth road, especially as an individual who has multiple identities. I identify as a Deaf Latinx Womxn. Being Deaf means I face communication barriers on a daily basis. I often have to self-advocate for ASL interpreters being placed in workshops, conferences, meetings, trainings, and more. My access to the entire networking world relies on being able to communicate during those essential environments. Now add on top of that, being a Latinx, often I am overlooked or put aside because of that. The racial injustice is in play. People will look at me and see the color of my skin and think that I am not well educated or have no ability to be someone in an executive position. And now, as a womxn, I am often viewed as an assistant or someone that is not in a position of power. I have gone to meetings with my white male colleagues, and only to find that the executives in the meeting think that my white male colleagues are someone in the position of a director. They are often surprised when they realize that I am the supervisor and that I am someone in a position to make some executive decisions. I have to constantly show that I am capable and to grow thick skin. 

Now, put that together…the first thing that a person sees is that I am a womxn; then they see my color…they immediately think many oppressive biased thoughts, and then they realize I am someone with a disability, which is being Deaf. I suddenly am now put much lower down the food chain. That is what I consider to be a triple whammy. I have to fight the systemic oppression that has been in place for so long, especially as a womxn, a Latinx, and a Deaf individual. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As an individual who has worked for so many years in the non-profit industry, I pride myself in being able to serve the Deaf Community. I started out in New Mexico, where I grew up, giving back to my community. And then now, at DCARA in the Bay Area, I find myself in a position where I can make changes and support my staff as well as the community to provide the necessary tools for everyone to live independently and be empowered in their daily life. 

I also volunteered in the past before stepping up as the DCARA Executive Director. I was formerly the Vice President of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the President of the New Mexico Association of the Deaf, Vice President of Raices del Rio Grande, and board member of the New Mexico School for the Deaf Alumni Association. I pride myself in being able to give back to my community where it hits the most. 

I am known for my abilities in fundraising, networking, public speaking, and giving back to others. My ability to think outside of the box and to look at the bigger picture is what makes me stand out. I love and thrive on challenges, questions, and problem-solving. 

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a child full of curiosity. Being from a rural area, this meant I did not have access to cable or internet growing up. I was a child who thrived on being outdoors. I fished, I rode on ATVs, I learned how to drive at the age of 11, I learned my way around a car, I went swimming at a local lake, I tapped into my imagination and creativity, and I read so many books that I think maybe I was the librarian’s favorite visitor! 

I loved trying to find out what my abilities were and what I could do with my imagination. I would ask my parents to not throw out cardboard boxes made for refrigerators just so I could cut out holes in it and make it into a rocket…a TV box where I would pretend to give TV reports along with my brother. 

I thrived so much, to a point where I had a goal to become a Medical Professional. I wanted to be a doctor or a Nurse. I was so curious about the human body. 

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-gomme-98b91761
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzo7eLHr5P8

Image Credits
National Association of the Deaf