Having trouble viewing this e-mail? Click here

July, 2024

Summer is a very busy and exciting time at VISIONS as we host many great programs for youth and college students, while also continuing the great work at the Older Adult Center at Selis Manor, and all of the community-based rehabilitation programs happening throughout the NYC area.

Do you remember your first job? Well, this summer many of our participants, high school and college students, are going to experience their first real paid employment. There are unique challenges associated with work when you cannot see, such as figuring out how to get around, identifying social cues non-visually, figuring out how to use equipment and even software that might not be fully accessible with assistive technology such as a text to speech screen reader, and even having the self-confidence to ask for help when needed. VISIONS programs help people develop these skills and explore career paths and strategies for success.

I want to give a big shout out to all of the VISIONS team for what they do daily to enhance the lives of those we serve, including our staff, board of directors, advisory boards members, our volunteers, and those who allow us the honor to be a part of their lives through our training and services.

If you would like to learn more about VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, take a tour of one of our facilities, and/or discuss how you can get involved and/or support our programs, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, Sylvia Perez, at sperez@visionsvcb.org. I hope you will consider supporting these very important services, as it will really make an impact.

VISIONS is proud to offer programs, training, and other services to individuals and their families with vision loss in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Lower Hudson Valley, all at no charge to them. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us empower more and more people to live productive, fulfilling lives.

See the impact of our services in action below!

This spring we hosted nine college students in an intensive work readiness training program at the VISIONS Center on Blindness (VCB). The students received instruction on preparing for work, including interviewing, resume building, managing disclosure of visual impairment and requesting accommodations, and much more, all in an effort to help them get ready for what for many is their first real work experience. Students traveled into New York City to visit the NY Headquarters of Salesforce, where they had the opportunity to meet with professionals in a corporate setting, and hear about how Salesforce is striving to make a more inclusive product and workplace for individuals with disabilities. The group spent the afternoon visiting the offices of S&P Global where they had a lunch and learn, hosted by VISIONS board member Jyotika Bisht and her team, who talked about how important it is to obtain professional internships while still in school, as well as providing insight on what it is like working in a financial environment.

This summer, 21 college students (including recent graduates, and those who will be attending college in the near future) are in paid internships, or a Work Experience Training (WET), in order to build their work experience to increase their employability in the future. Participants can choose to work in a wide range of sectors, including banking, data entry, social justice, retail, and more, all with the support of our Workforce staff who ensure each internship runs smoothly.

VISIONS regularly partners with leading companies including S&P Global, Valley National Bank, and AHRC to provide participants with great real-world internship experiences. This year, one of our participants who is studying accounting and working towards a career as a loan officer, is interning at Valley National Bank. Two others, in partnership with AHRC’s Partnerships for Inclusive Internships (PII) program, which connects individuals with disabilities to internship opportunities in city offices, are working as a data entry clerk and an administrative Intern.

This summer we are hosting over 60 high school students through our 3 Pre-Employment Transition Services for youth.

15 high school students are learning valuable skills related to financial management, time management, and customer service, while developing a strong work ethic by working at our “Snack Bar”, a small storefront inside our Selis Manor office, and assisting Business Enterprise Program vendors with servicing their vending machines throughout the city. Our Summer Transition Program (STP) is hosting 24 students at the VCB. This program is designed to give students a fun environment to develop social skills, independent living skills, and work readiness. They will engage in many activities to build their ability to effectively communicate in writing and verbally, to use technology, to take care of themselves, and they will explore possible careers of interest. And, of course, they will swim, play games, and laugh a lot. Finally, our College Readiness Program at Manhattanville College will host 30 students. This provides them an opportunity to learn what college is like while receiving support and guidance from VISIONS/ staff members.

If your organization would like to host a behind-the-scenes tour to help our students learn more about the many jobs available, if you have an intern opportunity, and/or if your organization would like to volunteer by helping with mock interviews, etc. please contact us at info@visionsvcb.org.

On June 28, 4 participants completed the 60-Day Residential Vocational Skills & Work Readiness Training Program at the Nancy D. Miller Vocational Rehabilitation Center at the VCB campus. The completion ceremony was very inspiring and celebrated the successes of our participants ahead of Disability Pride Month. All four participants received the National Retail Federation, Customer Service & Sales certification and certificates of completion for finishing this intensive training program. The event was attended by friends, family, NYSCB staff and Lions Club members.

Pictured are the graduates: Jacob Ortiz-Celaya, Angela Delgado, Elena Ivers, and Kayla Johnson

Another 7 students have started a 15-week intensive residential work-readiness training this summer. We are excited to see how their journey goes.

VISIONS became a Salesforce Workforce Partner in September 2023.

Through our partnership, staff from the VISIONS technology and workforce teams were invited to participate in Salesforce’s inaugural Ecosystem Growth Summit, a global virtual event designed to connect Salesforce nonprofit partners with employers seeking Salesforce talent. Along with staff from the executive team, they also attended the Salesforce World Tour in New York City in December, 2023 and again in April, 2024. These events provided VISIONS staff with a comprehensive learning experience and deepened our connections with local Salesforce team members.

Currently, VISIONS workforce and technology staff are developing a fully accessible and comprehensive curriculum that will train job seekers to be Certified Salesforce Associates (CSAs).  At this time, four of VISIONS staff are preparing to be certified Salesforce Associates themselves.  Staff will then recruit training participants through the New York State Commission for the Blind to participate in the CSA training. 

Through networking with companies using the Salesforce platform, the workforce team will develop internships or employment opportunities for those job seekers who successfully complete the program.

On June 1st, a new and exciting chapter began at VISIONS Center on Blindness, as a new pontoon boat, the H.M.S. Mannie, was christened at the base of our beautiful lake. The boat was named in memory of Mannie Corman, former participant, VISIONS Board Member and late husband of long-time supporter and friend of VISIONS, Judy Goldman. A special thank you to Judy for your continued support and for purchasing this seaworthy vessel for the enjoyment of our participants during the summer! We would also love to thank the Women's Club of Larchmont and the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Lion's Club for their continued support and for funding H.M.S. Mannie's docking bay.

On June 24th, members of our Board of Directors, staff, and community gathered at VISIONS Center on Blindness to honor retired Executive Director/CEO, Nancy D. Miller, by dedicating our Vocational Rehabilitation Center in her name. The Nancy D. Miller Vocational Rehabilitation Center, a fully accessible 16,000 sq. ft. residential training building is equipped to host our residential vision rehabilitation and work readiness programs.

VISIONS Community Advisory Boards continue to spread awareness of our mission and raise funds to support our services in NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and the Lower Hudson Valley. Our recent fundraising events in the Bronx and Manhattan have raised a combined $62,000 to support these services, with even more to come from our upcoming Brooklyn Awards Dinner on July 18th, and future events in Queens and Staten Island. Visit www.visionsvcb.org/events to see our upcoming events, and consider joining one.

We would like to welcome our newest Advisory Board members:

Manhattan
Daniel Bellis, Manhattan, Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital/Northwell Health
Dr. Monica Dweck, OD
Nisha Falcigno, Community Volunteer/VISIONS participant
McLee Smith, Gallagher

Bronx-Westchester
Christina Cruz, Ridgewood Savings Bank
Jamal Rymer, Diversity Empowered
Annie Vargas, Groundwork HV
Gilbert Vega, TD Bank

Brooklyn
Bailey Binke, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Nayeem Siddique, N.N.A. Global Insurance Services

Staten Island
Elaine Messi, Robert DeFalco Realty
Valerie Williams, OD, Northwell Health/Staten Island University Hospital

We extend our heartfelt thanks to VISIONS corporate partners and supporters for their commitment to our mission. Over the last three months, organizations including MGM Resorts International, The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, The Inspiration Foundation, and The Eisner Foundation have contributed toward funding programs that:

Please consider partnering with us, as a volunteer, advisory board member, program sponsor, and/or attend one of our many events. Your support helps us continue our mission to help individuals with visual impairments experience possibilities.

VISIONS is proud to offer programs, training, and other services to individuals and their families with vision loss in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and the Lower Hudson Valley, all at no charge to them. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us empower more and more people to live productive, fulfilling lives.

VISIONS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit rehabilitation and social service organization, whose mission is to develop and implement individualized programs to assist people who are blind and visually impaired of all ages to lead independent and active lives, and to educate the public to understand their needs and capabilities.

Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

A copy of our most recent financial statement is available by e-mailing info@visionsvcb.org or by visiting the NYS Attorney General's Charities Bureau's website. To learn more about charities, call (212) 416-8686.