Raymond Rodgers, ’90, named executive director of California's DCARA

Raymond Rodgers, ’90, was hired on June 8, 2016, as executive director of the Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA), based in San Leandro, California.

Rodgers, who holds both a MBA and MSW, and is a Certified Deaf Interpreter, has over 23 years of extensive experience in various industries, including, business, entertainment, human services, interpretation and residential.

At DCARA, he manages and oversees the organization’s strategic plan and operation, which includes capital campaign, development, finance, staffing, programming, public relations, expansion plans and execution of its mission, vision and values.

Rogers has set several goals for DCARA, including: making DCARA financially stable; reconnecting and partnering with businesses and social service organizations; supporting more diverse deaf organizations, hiring more staff to fill service gaps; giving focus to start-up businesses within DCARA (ASL instruction, captioning services, interpreting services, and more) to bring in revenue; and creating opportunities for deaf artists and entertainers.

“I want DCARA to evolve into much more than just an employment and social services agency,” said Rodgers.

DCARA is a non-profit, community-based social service agency serving the deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind communities. Established in 1962 as one of the first deaf-run agencies in the country, DCARA provides a comprehensive range of programs and services to the deaf community living in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area of California.