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Twenty years ago in my home country of Guyana, I was an active Leo and committed to the mission statement to be a global leader in community and humanitarian service. Today I stand on the other side of the fence, proudly representing VCB and acknowledging all the contributions provided to Emmanuel and me. Emmanuel is my only child – a blessed, miracle boy who God gave to me after I lost ten babies. He was born on June 18, 2001, at 27 weeks and weighed only 24 ounces because of domestic violence. After just five weeks he was sent home, where I had

to perform most of his delicate medical care myself. I took a job offer at the United Nations Headquarters and we moved to New York City when Emmanuel was about 15 weeks old. At this time, I learned that Emmanuel had stage five ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity)- the worst stage- meaning he had just scar tissues and no lens in his eyes. Surgeries were performed and Emmanuel has gained light perception in one eye. As he grew I was informed that he had cerebral palsy, low muscle tone and asthma among other medical conditions which was too much for a single mother to digest. In 2010 he had surgery on his hips and legs at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Westchester. It was the hospital staff that started the process of independence, including connecting us with VISIONS. We enrolled in VCB (VISIONS Center on Blindness) that August. VCB was a magical experience! Emmanuel says he was, “eager to get out from under my skirt,” but I was not willing to let go! Continued Page 3

i n s i g h t s A newsletter of VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Fall/Winter 2011

GOING GREEN! If you want to receive future newsletters and appeals by email, please

send an email to Kaitlin Nelson at knelson@visionsvcb.org with your name,

email and mailing address. As we transition, you may receive email and print copies. Thank you for your patience.

Celebrate the Opening of the Citywide VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center

Grand Opening Ceremonies Tuesday, January 3, 2012 1:30pm Please RSVP. Call: (212) 625-1616 ext. 155

Email: clewy@visionsvcb.org; elee@visionsvcb.org; bfabricant@visionsvcb.org

To learn more about the exciting things

happening at VISIONS throughout the year:

Like VISIONS on Facebook:

facebook.com/visionsvcb

Follow us on Twitter:

twitter.com/visionsvcb

Hold Tight. . .Help Is On The Way

Audrey Ford and her son Emmanuel, who is blind, are VISIONS participants. Lions Clubs provide great support to VISIONS and to individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired. Leos are younger Lions. This is their story.

Audrey and Emmanuel

(left) with Khaled

Musa, VISIONS Staff

(right)

2

together over 85 years. Our

VISIONS community is at the

core of our success. At

VISIONS, it takes us all to

contribute to each success...a

blind child improving their

reading skills; a blind

teenager completing their first

summer job; a blind senior

mastering the keyboard of a

"talking" computer and more.

We hope you will contribute

as generously as you can so we

can achieve more successes.

We are grateful to all of you

who have helped make VISIONS

into the dynamic organization

that we are today. With your

ongoing support, we look

forward to many more years of

making a difference in the

lives of people with vision loss.

Enjoy this holiday season

knowing that you to have made

a difference through your

support.

On behalf of everyone

associated with VISIONS, thank

you! To our family, friends,

colleagues, Board of Directors.

Advisory Boards, and donors,

thank you for sharing the

dream we have to enable each

person to achieve his or her

full potential. Thank you for

enabling us to reach for the

highest expectations so that

the people we serve who are

blind can succeed … at home,

at school, at their workplace

and in the community. There is

no question that despite

whatever obstacles we face –

severe vision loss, enormous

damage to VCB from the

Halloween snow storm, the

damaging effects of the slow

economic recovery or the hurt

of the negative stereotypes of

people with disabilities – we

are thankful that you give us

the tools and resources we

need to enable participants to

overcome barriers and build an

environment where the

hurdles can be overcome.

Our participants also express

their thanks – to everyone who

helps them achieve their full

potential. In this newsletter you

will learn about the incredible

journeys of our participants,

the contributions of our

volunteers, advisory boards,

Board of Directors, staff and

supporters. We are so proud of

the community we built

President, Board of Directors – Nancy T. Jones

Vice President, Board of Directors – Richard P. Simon

Treasurer, Board of Directors – Burton M. Strauss, Jr.

Secretary, Board of Directors – Carol Spawn Desmond

Executive Director/CEO – Nancy D. Miller

Editor, Director of Development and Outreach – Rick Schwartz

Newsletter Design and Layout,

Assistant Director of Development – Kaitlin Nelson

From the Desk of the Executive Director

Nancy D. Miller

Executive Director/CEO

In This Issue:

Hold Tight...Help Is on The Way Page 1

New Innovative Senior Center Page 3

VISIONS at Selis Manor Page 4

Request For Your Support Page 5/6

Participant Feedback Page 7

VISIONS Community News Page 8/9

VISIONS Center on Blindness (VCB) Page 10

Staff/Board News/In The News Page 10

Our Gratitude To Page 11

Executive Director’s Message Page 2

It’s a Date Page 11

Hold Tight...Cover story continued Page 3

VISIONS Insights

A Publication of VISIONS/Services

for the Blind and Visually Impaired

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At VCB, I went to every session with him to observe what the teachers were doing so I could educate myself and care for him. Most importantly, I did not trust anyone alone with him. I was blown away with how warm, caring and loving all the staff were with Emmanuel and the other kids. I gained the confidence to leave him and attend support groups with other parents knowing he was in good hands. I realized his independence is important and that it is possible to achieve with the support from VCB and other VISIONS services.

I was able to network with other parents about the services available, a n d r e c e i v e d p s y c ho l o g i c a l a nd emotional support. My shoulder s l i t e ral l y dropped when I heard a single dad with three girls giving his story. I was crying, “Audrey…you

are a single mom with one. You can do this!” After we left VCB, VISIONS followed up with services in the home which assisted Emmanuel to achieve daily living skills, and for me to get the support I needed. Today he does many things for himself. We returned to VCB this year excited and more prepared to take advantage of all VCB has to offer. Emmanuel was able to begin to maneuver himself around the campus with confidence by utilizing the Braille signs in front of each building. The mobility specialist changed the tip of his cane, which made a tremendous difference toward improving his mobility. With just three lessons from Khaled Musa and his Braillenote, my son is now creating documents on his own. I like VISIONS holistic approach. They bring together families with vision problems from all walks of life who have similar yet very different circumstances; Parents who are stressed out and in dire need of help to unwind, refresh, and face the challenges ahead. Thank you VCB. All I can say to other parents is, “Hold tight…help is on the way.”

Hold Tight.. . (continued from pg. 1)

New Innovative Center for Visually Impaired Older New Yorkers

“This is a wonderful idea. It’s definitely needed.” This typical comment from one VISIONS participant summed up the exciting news that VISIONS will open the first senior center organized specifically to accommodate the needs of blind and seve re l y v i sua l l y impaired older adults beginning January 3, 2012. The VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center represents the culmination of a two-year process to be selected as a center for unique populations who do not benefit from more traditional senior centers. “This is a citywide program,” said Betsy Fabricant, Senior Administrator of VISIONS who has been supervising the development of the new innovative center. “It will provide a pioneering approach to the delivery of services for older adults who are blind or severely visually impaired.” In addition to a hot dinner meal served Monday through Friday from 3:30 pm through 5:00 pm, services will focus on benefits

applications, health and wellness programs, group a c t i v i t i e s , a n d information available in ac ces s ib l e fo rmat . Services include a newly equipped lab with “talking” computers, fitness center, library, radio station, and ceramics studio. “I am definitely looking forward to the new center,” said Janet Seth,

a participant at a recent VISIONS Senior Speak Out dinner. “I plan to use the fitness center a lot more.” If you have an idea for a new name for the center email elee@visionsvcb.org.

VISIONS Senior Program

participant with

Intergenerational

Volunteer

VISIONS Senior

Program participant

and Intergenerational

Volunteer during a

museum visit

Emmanuel and his mom

with a counselor on the

lake at VCB

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VISIONS at Selis Manor Happenings

This fall marked the beginning of a new relationship between VISIONS and GlamourGals, two nonprofits aiming to prevent isolation of seniors and address leadership needs of teens. GlamourGals inspires teens to provide companionship and makeovers. Nineteen blind seniors received manicures, skin care and a revitalized sense of self from five Hunter College youth volunteers and eight GlamourGals Board Members. The students were energized by this group of seniors and committed to return.

GlamourGals

In June, the 6th Annual After School Program celebrated another highly successful year with 12 blind students graduating. As part of the festivities, the youth’s poetry from workshops sponsored by the Teachers and Writers Collaborative was read to the attendees.

After School participants and

VISIONS and Teachers and

Writers

Over the summer, 94 blind high school and college students were placed throughout the five boroughs in nonprofit and for profit sector positions through VISIONS Work Experience Training Program. The tasks ranged from maintenance and clerical to direct services.

The program culminated with a graduation on August 19, 2011. The event was attended by NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped staff and supervisors from hosting organizations.

On the evening, November 10th, VISIONS hosted a family session for parents of visually impaired children and youth. Over 20 families attended the workshop, where Andrew S. Fisher, Executive Director of the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Dawn Turco, Senior Vice President at the Hadley School for the Blind, and Beatrice Jacinto, American Foundation for the Blind, each spoke about the resources available to families. Representatives from the NYS CBVH answered questions about state-sponsored vocational rehabilitation services.

Goldman Sachs Volunteers

On July 8th the Department of Workforce Development at VISIONS hosted ten volunteers from Goldman Sachs Community Team Works program. Volunteers participated in mock interviews for work ready participants and provided valuable strategies on how to increase their success in the job market. The volunteers dispensed career guidance to 90 blind high school and college age young adults participating in the summer youth program. VISIONS would like to express its gratitude to the Goldman Sachs volunteers for their time and expertise and to team leader Jonathan Fine.

Eileen K. and

Debbie Z. show

off their new

manicures with

GlamourGals

Volunteer

(center)

Are you, someone you know, or an organization you’re involved with interested in volunteering or community giving? Contact Natasha DeLeon (646) 486-4444 ext. 13

VISIONS Youth Services Youth Employment

Coordinator, Gianina

Venturo, with Aida Ruiz,

Intern Supervisor, and

Theodore Hackett (l to r).

Parent Workshop

Are YOU interested in hosting an intern? Contact Gianina Venturo call (646) 486-4444 ext. 24 or gventuro@visionsvcb.org

5

A Time To Celebrate

For VISIONS, it has indeed been a year of celebrations. In October 2011, Mayor Bloomberg announced the selection of VISIONS to operate the first center for blind seniors, a “Cornerstone of the City’s Age Friendly NYC Initiative.” On January 3, 2012, VISIONS will launch the opening of the VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center. The VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center will:

• Feature a daily hot dinner meal for 150 participants to combat food insecurity

• Offer health and wellness activities, information and support to reduce social isolation

• Include blind and sighted youth to add an intergenerational component.

VISIONS needs your assistance to help maintain the free services that we provide primarily for low-income blind people of all ages. We need you to help

close the funding gap so we are there for the people who need us most.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Please cut here_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Please accept our thanks for all of your assistance, whether monetary, volunteer, or a warm wish to the many people who

benefits from VISIONS services.

We hope the coming year will bring you all that you wish for.

But there are still challenges ahead:

•Nearly 350,000 people in New York State reported being blind on a federal survey, with half living in New York City.

•Over 30% of blind people live in poverty and the unemployment rate is a staggering 70%.

•The number of blind people continues to grow with the aging of the “baby boomers.”

•More low birth weight babies survive with multiple disabilities.

VISIONS has more good news from 2011:

•Celebrated our 85th anniversary

•Won national recognition for the intergenerational volunteer program as a program of distinction

•Served a 20% increase in registered clients

•Increased by 33% the number of blind children and their families that were served.

•Supported over 700 caregivers.

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$2,500 buys 500 meals for blind seniors who attend the VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center

$1,000 pays for a blind multi-disabled child to work with a certified vision rehabilitation therapist (CVRT) and

certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) at VCB.

$500 pays for lessons from a blind computer instructor to teach a blind person how to use a “talking”

computer and prepare for a job or stay connected to family and friends.

$250 pays for lessons from a CVRT and adaptive equipment for safe cooking or for mobility lessons from a

COMS using a prescribed long cane to safely navigate around the neighborhood and NYC.

$100 pays for Braille, photography and arts supplies and audiotapes for classes at VISIONS at Selis Manor.

Yes, I want to help with my contribution of:

□ $2500 □ $1000 □ $500 □ $250 □ $100 □ Other

My Contribution is made for: □ Graduation □ Birthday □ Anniversary □ Memorial □ Other (Please specify)

Name of Person to be Honored:____________________________________________________________

Send Card To:__________________________________________________________________________

□ Pay Online at www.visionsvcb.org □ Check enclosed OR □ Please charge to my credit card:

Card Type: ___________ Expiration Date:

Card Number: Security ID #: _____

Signature:

Name:

Address:

Mail to: VISIONS, 500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10013-1354

A copy of our most recent financial statement is available by writing to VISIONS, or NYS Dept of Law-Charities Bureau, 3rd Floor, 120 Broadway, NY, NY 10271.

Contributions to VISIONS are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. VISIONS/Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired meets all of the BBB Wise Giving Standards and is

an accredited charity and member of the BBB seal program for Charity Accountability.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO VISIONS SUPPORTS FREE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT NYC

VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center

Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)

Orientation and Mobility (O&M)

Workforce Development and Training

VISIONS Center on Blindness VCB

Blindline® Information and Referral Center

Caregiver Support Project

Intergenerational Volunteer Program

Multilingual Public Education and Outreach

In our effort to help make the world a greener place, we would like to send you our future newsletters, appeals and other

information about VISIONS by email as either a PDF or MS Word file. If you are interested, please fill out the following

information and return it to us with the enclosed envelope or email knelson@visionsvcb.org:

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________

Email Address:_____________________________________________________________________________

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Dear Ms. Miller,

When one calls VISIONS and hears Laverne’s lovely voice, it is apparent that she is an intelligent, kind and caring person. Laverne (Tucker, Switch Board Operator) does not just receive and pass on messages. She is a problem solver. She listens, analyzes, and considers all options. Her efforts provide many positive results. I feel qualified as a person who has a long history as a manager and vice president of m a n a g e m e n t t o comment on her value as an employee and person. Thank you for your kind attention to my words.

Sincerely, Marion S.

Dear Nancy Miller,

I wish to express my appreciation for the wonderful assistance your organization’s people have given me. My mobility and outlook on life has been greatly improved. The young men and young woman have been very helpful, kind, and considerate. They have made it possible for me to go to stores and other places which otherwise would be inaccessible to me. They have read to me many things which I would not have been able to read otherwise. My life has become more rewarding. It would be very difficult to name everyone who has helped me. I must however mention Carrie (Lewy, Senior Center Director). She has been helpful, efficient and pleasant in all my contacts with her in making arrangements. Again, Thank you very much for this service.

Sincerely yours, Olga W.

No one tells the VISIONS story better than our participants.

Below are some of the letters we regularly receive.

They inspire us and put smiles on our faces.

We hope they do the same for you.

Do you know...

God Bless You. This Note is to Ms. Teddy (Kern, Occupational Therapist), the most caring, loving person I have ever met. She is special to disabled seniors, the lonely, the sick. Ms. Teddy you are the reason I keep going on. You gave and showed me love and hope.

Yours Truly, Mother Alma W.

Someone who is blind or severely visually impaired and having trouble doing tasks in their day-to-day life?

VISIONS provides free services for people who are blind or severely visually impaired including: individualized rehabilitation training at home, mobility in the community, social services, employment training and job placement, caregiver supports and group activities.

Contact Carmen Rivera at (212) 625-1616 x 134 or crivera@visionsvcb.org for information or to make a referral. All services are completely confidential.

An organization or group that would benefit from learning about VISIONS services?

VISIONS Outreach Department provides presentations on eye disease and blindness prevention to service providers and other interested groups.

An individual who would be interested in being a VISIONS advisory board member?

C o n t a c t R i c k S c h w a r t z : (212) 625-1616 x 128 or email: rschwartz@visionsvcb.org to schedule a presentation or become an advisory board member.

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VISIONS Community News

Queens Wine Tasting

“Soothe The Senses”

Celebrating 85 Years of Service

Over 40 VISIONS supporters gathered at London Lennie’s November 29, 2011 to benefit VISIONS free services in the borough of Queens. Thank you to London Lennie’s Leslie Barnes for donating the event space and Fred Viana, Double A Concrete, for the donation of wine.

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (left) was among those honored at VISIONS Manhattan Advisory Board’s “Soothe The Senses” Wine and Jazz Event September 27. Proceeds benefited VISIONS free services in Manhattan. Elwanda Young (United Way), Giorgio DeLuca (Giorgione), Gilliane Isabelle (VALIC), Marco Valente (Dans Le Noir), and Joyce Carrico (Selis Manor Tenants Association) were also honored for their dedication

to blind and visually impaired individuals in the borough of Manhattan. Jazz music was provided by the Houston Person Quartet.

VISIONS Lions Family Day took place August 7,

2011 to celebrate VISIONS and VCB’s 85 years

of service. Attendees included Lions Clubs,

elected officials, members of VISIONS Board of

Directors, participants, volunteers, and other

community members. Special activities

included a DJ, parade, carnival, and BBQ

lunch. VISIONS supporters, long time VISIONS

staff and participants who have been attending

VCB for 25+ and 50+ years were honored at the

event. VISIONS President Nancy T. Jones

presented awards to Board members Carol

Spawn Desmond, Mannie Corman, Harriet K.

Strauss, Burton M. Strauss J. and Angelo

Purcigliotti.

VISIONS Caregiver Services

The caregiver program works with VISIONS rehabilitation department to provide services for caregivers and recipients. Diana Cruz, the Caregiver Services Case Manager has worked closely with Carmen Robinson, a caregiver for her husband, Antonio Robinson. Mr. Robinson, who is legally blind was unable to walk independently and safely. The program equipped Mr. Robinson with a rollator walker and provided the assistance of the rehabilitation department’s, Jenny Santiago (CVRT/COMS), on how to use it safely. “I am grate-ful for the guidance and assistance they have pro-vided me to better deal with my situation. My hus-band and I are most appreciative for their help,” said Mrs. Robinson.

The caregiver program o f f e r s u p - t o - d a t e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d interactive workshops for caregivers every second Friday of the month including workshops from the Visiting Nurse Service, information on medical equipment and art therapy techniques. Contact Diana Cruz for more information (212) 625-1616 ext. 149 or dcruz@visionsvcb.org.

Jenny Santiago

and Diana Cruz

with the Robinsons

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Goldman

Photos courtesy of Tom Ryan

9

Over the summer, VISIONS/VCB conducted the first ever “Rehabilitation Toward Independence” Sessions for Orthodox Jewish Children. Seventeen blind children and 89 family members took part in rehabilitation services and parent training that accommodated the religious, cultural and dietary requirements of this population. VISIONS consulted with Rabbis, Talmudic authorities and Jewish organizations in Brooklyn, Rockland and Orange Counties. Parents commented on how “wonderfully accommodating” the staff was as a result. Participants gained new skills and made new

friends with both sighted and legally blind c h i l d r e n . T h e opportunity for the children and their families to work with visually impaired peers was a very positive experience. One of the participants wrote to VISIONS after the session sharing that she “learned a lot about brushing teeth and brushing hair” and “had a good time dancing” w i t h t h e o t h e r participants. Parents of

the participants were exposed to new ideas on dealing with issues faced by their blind children. Many parents appreciated the opportunity to share common experiences with other parents in a culturally sensitive setting. One parent shared that her son’s “favorite part was the new friends he made” and how important it was for him to “socialize with children who are at his same level.” These unique weekend sessions were made possible with support from the Readers Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, the NYS Commission for Blind and Visually Handicapped, and private contributions.

VISIONS Center on Blindness

Throughout the year Lions Clubs like the New York Japanese American Lions Club (above right), the Somers Lions Club and the St. Albans Lions Club (below right) work to keep VCB safe and free of physical problems. Leos volunteer at VISIONS at Selis Manor. One group adopted and worked to clean the computer lab and other spaces.

On September 23, 2011, 6 6 v o l u n t e e r s participated in the United Way of Rockland County Day of Caring at VISIONS Center on Blindness (VCB). Keeping up with the maintenance of VCB’s facilities and grounds is a daunting undertaking for our maintenance staff.

There is always too much work and not enough time. With the help of the skilled and enthusiastic volunteers from Dominican College, M&T Bank, Nice-Pak, Palisades Credit Union and Provident Bank, wonderful projects have been completed ahead of schedule in the 35 acre campus.

Kosher Weekends

to blind and visually impaired individuals in the borough of

Participant reading

Braille during evening

activities

United Way Day of Caring

Lions Clubs Work Days

d a t e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d

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VISIONS welcomes the following new staff members:

Full time: Lakisha N. Coburn, VCB Administra-tive Assistant Part-time: Jeffrey Guillaume, Men’s Fitness Instruction; Interns: Victoria Hopkins, Columbia Social Work Intern; Marva Mariner, Columbia Social Work Intern; Francisco Rivera, WET/ Development Intern

VISIONS congratulates the following staff members on their new positions:

Michael Cush, Director of Workforce Development/Adult; Dawn Suvino, Director of Workforce Development/Youth; Carrie Lewy, Senior Center Director; Carmen Rivera, Intake Manager/Outreach Specialist; Khaled Musa, VCB Assistant Director/Program

Staf f News

Forty four dog owners and their dogs joined the Brooklyn C a n a r s i e Lions for D o g g i e Olympics VII on Saturday, S ep t embe r 2 6 t h a t

Marine Park. The Canarsie-based service club raised funds for VCB and for Canarsie public schools.

Board News

In The News

VISIONS at Selis Manor hosted the National Association of Social Worker (NASW) Gerontological Committee Meeting in November w i t h N e w Y o r k S t a t e Assemblymember Joan Millman (above right) and the New York City Gray Panthers Executive Director Judy Lear (below right), and met with Nancy D. Miller. VISIONS looks forward to future successful events with these and other organizations.

On June 22, Mannie Corman, a member of the VISIONS Board of Directors and the VISIONS Brooklyn Advisory Board and Joe Corace, Chair of the VISIONS Brooklyn Advisory Board, were honored as "Outstanding Seniors in Service" by the Brooklyn-Wide Interagency Council on Aging.

VISIONS participants Matthew Turner and Nooria Nodrat completed this year’s NYC Marathon with guides from the Achilles Foundation and are “grateful for the opportunity to do something that otherwise seemed impossible.” It was their third and ninth marathons respectively. Each described the experience as “great” and would recommend it to others. Nooria who ran to raise money for her foundation for blind women in Afghanistan shared that she likes marathons because it's a physical as well as mental challenge.

VISIONS staff member Khaled Musa with members of the Canarsie Lions Club and the Doggie Olympics participants

(l to r) Jackie Kennedy-Saddler, Beth Abraham Health Services and member of the VISIONS Brooklyn Advisory Board; Joe Corace; Nancy D. Miller, Executive Director/CEO of VISIONS

VISIONS thanks all our Board, Advisory Council and Advisory Board Members.

VISIONS welcomes Lois Wagh Aronstein to the VISIONS Board of Directors. VISIONS acknowledges the appointment of Carol Spawn Desmond as the new Board secretary and the distinguished service of Howard Neuman upon his resignation. Welcome to the following Advisory Board Members: Bronx: Gianna Dell'Olio, The FORT Group; Erious Johnson, Esquire; Faiz Kareem, CCM Brooklyn: Roscoe Lawrence, TD Bank; Merriette Pollard, MA, ABD, Medgar Evers College Queens: Anthony R. Orega, Aflac; Jon Postyn, Financial Advisory, John Hancock

VISIONS congratulates Mandy Gheorghe on being honored as a Galaxy Award recipient at the New York Women’s Agenda Annual Star Breakfast.

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Condolences It ’s a Date!

Our Gratitude To.. .

All American Engraving in Congers

Blauvelt Lions Club Brooklyn Alpha Lions

Club Brooklyn Kings County

Lions Club Bubba’s Bagels David Patterson Band DJ Gi Gi Dominican College Girls

Softball Team Kenneth N. Friddle GED Plus Program

Jennifer Goldman Maria Hansen Highbridge Lions Club Joyce Jacobson Les Copains U.S.A. Rabbi Zvi Lowy M&T Bank Mahopac Lions Club Nancy D. Miller New York Hospital of Queens

Nike-Pak NY Phil-Am Lions Club Palisades Credit Union

Provident Bank Publishers Weekly Rising Stars Lions Club Christopher Roberts Rockland Bakery Tom Ryan Gloria Scudera Sephora Neha Shastri Spring Hill Ambulance Spring Valley Fire

Department Spring Valley Police

Department

St. Francis College Leos Club

Patrick Turner United Way of Rockland

County Valhalla Lions Club Kitty Vangunten Vis-Ability INC, Michael

Parker Woodside Inter-

american Lions Club Chris Zimnowski

VISIONS would like to thank the following friends for providing funding of $10,000 or more:

Allene Reuss Memorial Trust Caremark RX Inc New York Community Trust Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Inc. Readers Digest Partners for Sight Foundation

$2,500 or more donors:

Susan M. Berson Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas Christina H. Eisenbeis

Fund for the City of New York Gifts From My Father/Mother Inc. Nancy T. Jones Lions Club of Carmel-Kent, Inc. Lions Club of Flushing Lions Club of Somers Nancy D. Miller New York Japanese-American Lions Club NY Hospital Medical Center of Queens Laura B. Vogler Foundation United Way of New York City

On June 22, Mannie Corman, a member of the

We also thank the following for their donation of goods and services:

N o rm a E v e r s l e y (pictured at right) of McGraw Hill Writers to the Rescue presented Nancy Miller with a check from Writers to the Rescue to cover publication costs of VISIONS 2010 Annual report.

Financial Coaching Corps

Every Friday from 11-3 at VISIONS at Selis Manor, in collaboration with the Community Service Society, VISIONS offers free one-on-one counseling and financial coaching to VISIONS participants. Coaching includes developing debt reduction plans, creating a budget and how to open a bank account. Contact Natasha DeLeon at (646) 486-4444 ext. 13 or ndeleon@visionsvcb.org for more information.

Writers to the Rescue

Bronx Luncheon…… ...….…...……….March 9, 2012 Brooklyn Luncheon …..…….…….........April 2012 Queens Luncheon…………….….…….…..May 8, 2012 Golf Outing at Fairview Country Club with special guest Tommy John ……...May 22, 2012

Call VSIONS for more information(212) 625-1616

Mathew Sapolin (right), Comissioner of The Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities passed away November 30, 2011. VISIONS sends condolences to his family. His enthusiasm and disability advocacy efforts will be missed.

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VISIONS Main Office: By Phone: (212) 625-1616 or (888) 245-8333 By Mail: 500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor New York, New York 10013-1354 By Email: Info@visionsvcb.org By Fax: (212) 219-4078

VISIONS at Selis Manor: By Telephone: (646) 486-4444 By Mail: 135 West 23rd Street New York, New York 10011 Email: selisdirector@visionsvcb.org

VISIONS Senior Center: (212) 625-1616 x 155

Blindline®: (212) 625-3301 or (888) 625-1616 www.blindline.org

How to Reach Us VISIONS services are partially funded by the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped and the NYC Department for the Aging; support from the Borough Presidents of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens; New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Councilmembers Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Margaret Chin, Leroy G. Comrie, Inez E. Dickens, Honorable Daniel R. Garodnick, Peter Koo, Annabel Palma, Eric Ulrich, Mark Weprin, Melissa Mark Viverito, Jumaane Williams. VISIONS is a member of the Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, the Disabilities Network of NYC, the New York Vision Rehabilitation Association, the NY Citizens Committee on Aging, the New York Women’s Agenda, and VisionServe Alliance. VISIONS was incorporated in 1926 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions to VISIONS are tax deductible to the maximum extent allowed by law. A copy of our most recent financials and IRS 990 are available by writing to VISIONS or to the Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, NY, NY 10271, or on-line at www.guidestar.org.

About VISIONS VISIONS / Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor

New York, NY 10013-1354

During this Economic Crisis, we count on your support so we can serve blind people in need.

Our Appeal is enclosed. Please be as generous as you can.

Thank you.

VISIONS meets all of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Standards and is an accredited charity and member of the BBB seal program for Charity Accountability. VISIONS is a seal-holding member of the GuideStar Exchange. VISIONS does not sell or otherwise make available the names, addresses or phone numbers of our donors to anyone. However, donors of major gifts or grants may be thanked by name in this newsletter, in VISIONS Annual Report, on the VISIONS website, in other print materials such as brochures, or at appropriate events. If requested, we will refrain from thanking a do-nor publicly. VISIONS will honor all requests to be removed from our mailing list or to limit the mailings you receive from us. We appreciate the generosity of our supporters and are respectful of the privacy of our donors and friends.