Board Members - Hands & Voices NM
Executive Director/GBYS Parent Coordinator
My name is Carmen Armenta. I have a blended family that I share with my husband. We have four children. Our two eldest are hearing and our two youngest are Deaf/Hard of hearing. I joined Hands & Voices NM in 2013. I started out as a Parent Guide and in 2016 became the Executive Director/GBYS Parent Coordinator. Both my youngest kids referred on their New Born Hearing Screen (NBHS) and were later diagnosed with mild-server bilateral hearing loss. Hands & Voices NM has been a blessing in our lives because we have learned how to advocate for all of our children throughout the years and now are teaching them how to advocate for themselves.
Board Member
Matthew Bacher is a Deaf filmmaker and Digital Utility from Denver, Colorado. Born Deaf due to CMV, he received his right cochlear implant at age 2 and left at age 4. He attended mainstream school and began learning ASL in middle school, forming lifelong friendships through RMDS and CSDB. Matt graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Film and Digital Media Arts and is a member of the International Cinematographers Guild. He has worked on projects for Disney, Netflix, and A24, as well as several independent films, and his UNM capstone film, Silent Courage, reflects his commitment to emotionally driven storytelling and Deaf representation.
Matt has served for 20 years on Hands & Voices in Colorado and volunteers each summer at a cochlear implant camp, staying active in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through advocacy, mentorship, and service.
Board Member
Lorraine Crespin worked in the field of Deaf education for 38 years. Now retired, her professional career included working as a classroom Teacher, an Interpreter, a Developmental Specialist, and a Supervisor for an early intervention home visiting program. These days you can find her linedancing, hiking, and playing pickeball. She has served on the NMHV board since 2022. She loves observing parents connect with each other and embracing their child's hearing difference.Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We offer a variety of opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.