2018 Forecast: More Clients, Employment and Greater Independence on the Horizon

Let me begin by wishing all of you a Happy New Year! As we usher in 2018, there is a good deal of excitement about the year ahead at Society for the Blind.

This year we are expanding to the second phase of our CareersPLUS program after a successful launch in 2017. CareersPLUS focuses on academics, refining employment skills and creating a college or career plan. It is a key program for Society as we strive to push the employment rate over 30% for people living with vision loss.

Society for the Blind’s Senior IMPACT Project is serving four additional counties this year – Glenn, Yuba, Butte and Mendocino. As part of our Vision 2020 campaign, VSP Global Eyes of Hope generously donated a mobile low vision clinic to Society for the Blind. This allows our Low Vision Clinic to take services on the road so more people have access to eye care and low-vision rehabilitation in 2018.

With our growing senior population and overall increase in referrals and new clients, Society for the Blind’s programs will be in even greater demand. We will welcome some 25 new students to Society’s Core Teaching Program this month and we are excited to be a part of their journey to independence as they learn to live with low vision and blindness.

Our ability to expand our existing programs and add additional services is due in large part to the community support we receive. Every dollar you contribute, every hour of volunteer time you share makes a difference. I will keep you posted in the coming months on our students’ progress, Society’s programs, and other exciting news. In the meantime, please visit our website to learn more about our programs and ways to get involved.