WHOLE ME

What WHOLE ME does

WHOLE ME, Inc. is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 in Syracuse, New York, that delivers a multi-service platform of bilingual (ASL/English) and bi-cultural programs for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals and their families across Central and Upstate New York. Its service portfolio is organized around four functional pillars — communication, self-sufficiency, education, and employment — and includes an After-School and Family Enrichment Program, an Interpreter Referral Service that places certified sign-language interpreters across medical, educational, employment, and community settings on a 24/7/365 basis, ASL classes at multiple levels, a Care Coordination program, Workforce Development and Transition services, Educational Advocacy, and a Deaf Senior Citizen Program. The organization is not technology-based: service delivery is conducted by an in-house staff described as predominately Deaf and hard-of-hearing, supplemented by student volunteers from Onondaga Community College and Keuka College, with a digital layer in the form of the WHOLE ME Connect virtual platform that publishes bi-weekly ASL storytelling, idioms, and after-school content. Governance is provided by an Executive Board of Directors with both Deaf and hearing members, and Christine Kovar has served as CEO since founding; the organization operates from a single Syracuse office at 990 James Street since 2016 and has no parent company, subsidiaries, or external funding rounds. The revenue model is a hybrid of charitable donations, community-foundation grants (CNY Community Foundation, Women's Fund, United Way of Central New York, NYSED ACCES-VR), modest fee-for-service from ASL classes ($100 per 6- or 8-week session) and interpreter placements, and an Annual Golf Tournament with multi-tier corporate sponsorship, with no publicly disclosed revenue figures. Its customer base is segmented into Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing children and families (primary), Deaf senior citizens aged 50+, Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing adults seeking employment, parents of Deaf children, and community professionals seeking ASL training.

Name

WHOLE ME

Legal name

WHOLE ME, Inc.

Website

https://wholemeinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WHOLE ME is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 in Syracuse, NY, delivering bilingual ASL/English after-school enrichment, interpreter referral, ASL classes, workforce development, care coordination, and senior services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals and families across Central and Upstate New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Services for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Sign Language Learning Programs (ASL/BSL, etc.) (EDAMAFAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

Keywords

• Deaf community services
• ASL education programs
• Interpreter referral services
• After-school enrichment
• Workforce development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies on donations from individuals and organizations. The website promotes tax-deductible giving and highlights community investment opportunities.
2. Interpreter Referral Services: WHOLE ME operates an Interpreter Referral Service that places certified Sign Language Interpreters in Upstate New York. Proceeds from interpreter services support the organization's programs for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children and families.
3. ASL Classes and Workshops: The organization offers paid ASL classes (Level 1, Level 2) at $100 per person for 8-week sessions. Also provides community workshops for professional development and interpreter continuing education.
4. Grant Funding: Financial support from community foundations, funding sources, and partnerships with organizations. Mrs. Kovar's grant writing skills identified as crucial to organizational success.
5. Golf Tournament Fundraising: Annual Golf Tournament events that serve as both community engagement and fundraising mechanisms with various sponsorship levels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WHOLE ME is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 that provides a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and their families in Central New York. Core offerings include American Sign Language (ASL) classes, an Interpreter Referral Service for organizations, after-school and family enrichment programs, educational advocacy, transition and employment support, care coordination, workforce development, and community workshops. The organization also operates WHOLE ME Connect, a virtual platform extending its programs and resources beyond the local geography.

Product overview

WHOLE ME, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2003, providing a comprehensive suite of programs and services for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals and their families in Central New York. The organization operates as a multi-service platform rather than a single software product, offering core services including an Interpreter Referral Service (placing certified interpreters throughout Upstate New York), After-School and Family Enrichment Programs (bilingual ASL/English activities), Educational Advocacy, Transition and Employment services, Care Coordination, Workforce Development, and American Sign Language Classes at multiple levels. The organization also maintains digital programming through WHOLE ME Connect (a virtual engagement platform), ASL Content including Sign Time with Pam (vocabulary instruction), ASL Storytelling (children's book adaptations), Idioms series, Vlogs, and the #WhyISign awareness campaign. Additional offerings include Deaf Awareness programming, Deaf Space concept education, Community Events, and an Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser. The organization does not appear to offer a public API, and no AI/ML capabilities are utilized in their service delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WHOLE ME Connect: A virtual platform providing ASL content, idioms, stories, and educational resources for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children and families during challenging times.

Products and services

• Interpreter Referral Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Only organization in Central New York providing accessible after-school programs using sign language as primary communication mode
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• United Way of Central New YorkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2003Major community partner providing funding and support. Logo displayed on partnerships page indicating ongoing collaborative relationship.
• Vera HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDomestic violence and abuse services organization. Partnership provides support services for Deaf community members experiencing abuse or needing advocacy.
• St. Joseph's Hospital Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership providing medical services access for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals.
• Upstate Medical UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical education and healthcare partnership providing services and training opportunities.
• OCM BOCEScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational partnership providing services to students and families in the region.
• CNY WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partnership supporting employment services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals.
• Keuka CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides student volunteers majoring in ASL and/or Interpreting Programs for enrichment programs.
• Camp Mark 7coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOvernight camp for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Community partner promoting recreational opportunities.
• InterFaith WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterfaith organization partnership providing community services and support.
• Office of Children with Special NeedscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partnership providing services for children with special needs.
• Gallaudet UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier university for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students. Partnership supports educational advancement and resources.
• National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPost-secondary technical institute at RIT. Major sponsor of Annual Golf Tournament and partner in education services.
• Onondaga Community CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides student volunteers for enrichment programs, supporting workforce development in ASL and interpreting fields.
• Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization setting standards for interpreters. WHOLE ME adheres to RID's Code of Professional Conduct.
• New York State Education Department ACCES-VRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVocational rehabilitation partnership providing services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students transitioning from high school to college or workforce.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hands & Voices: Parent-driven nonprofit supporting families with Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing children, including after-school and family programming. Closely comparable in mission and parent-engagement model to WHOLE ME's youth enrichment work.
• American Society for Deaf Children: National nonprofit serving families of Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing children through advocacy, education, and parent support. Directly comparable to WHOLE ME's Parents of Deaf Children resources and youth programming.

Broad incumbents

• Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD): National nonprofit providing interpreting, employment, and community services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. CSD is a much larger broad incumbent with similar interpreter referral and workforce development offerings to WHOLE ME.
• National Association of the Deaf (NAD): Premier civil rights organization of, by, and for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in the US. NAD is a broad incumbent focused on advocacy, comparable to WHOLE ME's broader Deaf community engagement work.
• Hearing Loss Association of America: National consumer organization representing people with hearing loss, offering support, advocacy, and education. Comparable in serving the broader Deaf/HoH community with information and support services.

Regional players

• Center for Hearing and Communication: NYC-based nonprofit providing hearing health, communication services, and Deaf services for individuals of all ages. Comparable service mix (interpreter, education, family support) with a regional New York footprint similar to WHOLE ME's.
• NorCal Services for Deaf & Hard of Hearing: Northern California nonprofit providing interpreter referral, advocacy, education, and community services for the Deaf/HoH community. Strongest direct functional analog to WHOLE ME outside of New York.

Emerging players

• AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing: National nonprofit focused on listening and spoken language approaches for children with hearing loss. Adjacent rather than direct, but competes for parent attention and educational programming dollars in the same family demographic as WHOLE ME.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wholemesyr
• Instagraminstagram.com/wholemesyr
• Xx.com/wholemesyr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WHOLE ME