All she wanted was a gathering place where fellow deaf and hard of hearing could gather for a coffee, a bite to eat and some camaraderie, but owner Sandra Rivers' dream became a nightmare when thieves stole literally everything.
Rivers' Deaf’s Delight Café's plans have been silenced for now. Thought to be the first of its kind in New Jersey, the eatery would help serve the estimated 12,000 deaf and hard of hearing in Newark and 720,000 statewide.
Even though the thieves took everything--all appliances, the register, signs, clocks, fryer, and even her mop and broom--Rivers is not giving up. She has already held fundraisers and the deaf community has come out to help as well. Through this devastating loss, Rivers is still able to smile and thank all those who are helping her start again. She signed the emotion “I love you," and that we all hear loud and clear.
For more on the story, read on.