Insights Newsletter
November, 2024
Important Update
After careful consideration, Sylvia Stinson-Perez has made the decision to step down from her role as VISIONS Executive Director/CEO to address family obligations in Florida. Her last day will be November 30, 2024.
Sylvia has been instrumental in advancing VISIONS mission, strengthening our programs for the blind and visually impaired community. During this transition, VISIONS longtime Chief Operating Officer (COO) Natalia S. Young, will serve as Acting Executive Director/CEO, bringing her years of experience and dedication to ensure a smooth transition.
VISIONS Board of Directors is engaging a leading executive-recruiting firm to assist in the national search for our next Executive Director/CEO.
We are grateful to Sylvia for her leadership and dedication, and we wish her the very best in her next chapter. VISIONS remains deeply committed to our mission, and we look forward to keeping you informed as we enter this new phase.
Help Support Our Services
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.
Programs and Services
Celebrating Autumn at VCB
It's that time of year again at VISIONS Center on Blindness (VCB)! This Fall, participants went apple-picking and were able to enjoy the wonders of the Farmer's Market at Orchards of Concklin in Rockland County. Participants and weekend staff naturally gathered outside to enjoy weather, whether for off-campus walks, or just taking the time to enjoy the scenery around them. The atmosphere fostered a deep sense of camaraderie, as everyone seemed to slow down just a little and take the time to connect through friendly conversation, shared cups of cider, or arts and crafts activities.
Introducing Our New Adaptive Living Program
We are excited to be running two group sessions for older adults seeking Vision Rehabilitation Training (VRT) and social connection. One is held at our Older Adult Center in Manhattan, and the other, a week long overnight experience, is held at VCB. Participants in both groups receive instruction in VRT, indoor mobility, and are exposed to additional services including Social Work and referrals to low vision specialists. Each session ends with a graduation ceremony to celebrate the participants' achievements. Participants are welcome to attend regular programs at our Older Adult Center and VCB following the completion of these sessions. We are so proud of all the participants who have joined us so far and can’t wait to see who will join us in the future!
VISIONS Job Seekers Visit S&P Global's NYC Headquarters
A group of our job seekers seized a wonderful opportunity to develop their interview and networking skills with S&P Global Commodity Insights professionals at the S&P Global New York Headquarters. The Director of Global Head of People Movement - Commodity Insights and Mobility, and Senior Director of Strategy & Business Management presented job seekers with resume, interview, and corporate etiquette best practices. Each job seeker participated in two mock interviews and received in-depth feedback to help improve their interview skills; ultimately improving their ability to obtain gainful employment.
Celebrating NDEAM
On October 25th, our Workforce Department, in partnership with New York State's Adult Career & Continuing Education Services - Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR), hosted our annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) Celebration, recognizing organizations who went above and beyond to make their workplaces more accessible for people with disabilities. Representatives from organizations including Xavier Society For The Blind, Primark, and American Express, were in attendance.
What Does an Orientation & Mobility Specialist Do?
We are excited to shine a light on Sherrice Stephen, one of our amazing Orientation & Mobility Specialists, who work with clients every day on the skills needed to safely navigate their communities. In this video, Sherrice takes us with her as she works with three clients of varying ages in Manhattan. Click here to watch the video.
VISIONS in Action
Participants of our Summer Transition Program visited a local mainstay in Queens, Fuzi Pasta Co., to learn how to make their signature fuzi-shaped pasta, as well as learn a special napkin folding technique used in the hospitality industry. During their trip, participants made lasting memories while getting to better know the community. A special thanks to Chef Franco Raicovich, and our Queens Director of Fundraising, Doreen DiLeonardo, for giving our participants a truly memorable experience. Click here to watch the video.
Community Advisory Boards
Our 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 Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island Advisory Boards have hosted exciting events that allow us to connect with our communities and introduce them to the services we can provide. Visit www.visionsvcb.org/events to see our upcoming events, and consider joining us.
We would like to welcome our newest Advisory Board members and celebrate new leadership roles in Staten Island:
Bronx-Westchester
Swannie Batista, Paralegals FTC
Rachel Batista-McChain, Paralegals FTC
Staten Island
Co-Chairperson: Jacqueline Armani
Co-Chairperson: Annamarie Kaplon
Mary Gardner, Northfield Bank
Meredith Gaskins, Richmond University Medical Center
Elona Zeltser, Cohen's Fashion Optical
Queens Advisory Board's Cocktails For A Cause
Our Queens Advisory Board held its 7th Annual "Cocktails for a Cause" fundraiser at J. Fallon's Tap Room on August 25th. This celebration, marking the end of summer, welcomed new supporters including Floral Park Lions Club members, and local businesses who donated their goods in kind. The event raised over $12,000 to support VISIONS services in Queens and Long Island! A special thanks to our Queens Advisory Board, J. Fallon's Tap Room, and our Queens supporters for making this event a huge success!
Brooklyn Advisory Board's Cocktail Party
The Latino Sports Club was a terrific venue for our Brooklyn Advisory Board's Cocktail Party on October 22nd. With about 35 guests in attendance, a special cocktail named the VISION, and lots of delicious food, the event raised approximately $1,500 to support VISIONS services in Brooklyn. Many thanks to board chair, Nandanie Appana, for her leadership on this event.
Staten Island Advisory Board's "Dance for a Cause"
On October 24th, Our Staten Island Advisory Board held a Zumba fundraiser to support VISIONS. The class was taught by Elaine Messi, one of our board members who happens to be a fitness instructor. "Let’s Dance for a Cause" was held at Crunch Fitness and was attended by over 50 people. Special thanks to Crunch Fitness, Robert DeFalco Realty, and those involved with the event for making it a success!
News & Updates
38th Annual Charity Golf & Tennis Outing
On September 16, we hosted our 38th Annual Golf & Tennis Outing, presented by 1919 Investment Counsel, a Stifel Company. It was a gorgeous day on the course and on the courts. The event netted approximately $125,000 to support our programs in the Lower Hudson Valley and Westchester and at our year-round facility, VCB, in Rockland County. Many thanks to our outstanding sponsors, a terrific committee led by Chair Carin Pai, the Fordham University mens and womens tennis teams. the staff at Fairview Country Club and all of you who supported the day.
Juniper Networks Supports VISIONS
We are extremely grateful to Juniper Networks for their recent $10,000 donation toward improving our network and I.T. infrastructure at VCB. We were honored to have their staff attend our recent 15-Week Employment Readiness Program graduation ceremony, as well as meet with our newest group of participants to introduce them to new and exciting career opportunities at Juniper. We look forward to our continued relationship with Juniper Networks.
Washington Post: This Is What It Is Like To Go Blind
In a recent Washington Post article, Nisha Falcigno, one of our participants, shared her story with how vision loss reshaped her life. Moving from Connecticut to New York City, she embraced the city’s accessibility and found support through rehabilitation services like the ones offered at VISIONS. Nisha recounts her struggles with daily tasks, from using a cane to learning Braille and screen reader software, and how these adaptive tools restored her independence. Now, she advocates for the visually impaired community, challenging stigmas and inspiring others with her resilience. Read more about her powerful story here.
Announcing Our Equal Access to Healthcare Program
We were thrilled to launch our new Equal Access to Healthcare Program, an initiative aimed at helping medical professionals effectively work with patients with disabilities. Hosted by Susan Scheer, our Senior Director for Healthcare Access, and Khadija Bari, our Director of Job Placement Services, the presentation discussed the challenges faced by people with disabilities in the medical field, and outlined possible solutions for enhancing healthcare accessibility.
Representing at the Disability Pride Parade!
We were proud to be part of NYC’s Disability Pride Parade on October 20th! Every year, this parade, starting at Madison Square Park and ending at Union Square Park, celebrates the unique abilities of people with all types of disabilities, and at VISIONS, we’re thrilled to be able to work with a wide variety of individuals and families with visual impairments.
Help Support Our Services
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.