insights newsletter

Insights NewsletterVISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired www.visionsvcb.org

Spring 2014 Issue 02

Ins

To learn more about the exciting things happening at VISIONS throughout the year:

Our Website: www.visionsvcb.orgGOING GREEN! If you want to receive future newsletters and appeals by email, please send an email to Tara DellaVecchia at [email protected] with your name, email and mailing address. As we transition, you may receive email and print copies.

Senior Speak Out: Lady Ellie Shearing

On January 27, VISIONS at Selis Manor was privileged to welcome Lady Ellie Shearing, the wife of the late jazz pianist Sir George Shearing. Lady Shearing contacted us here at VISIONS expressing an interest in our programs and wishing to donate Braille books used by her late husband George, one of the greatest blind pianists of the 20th century. She discussed with seniors at Senior Speak Out (SSO) her life, traveling with him for nearly 40 years. She was a music teacher and singer in her own right before marrying George, and sang backup with Frank Sinatra. Lady Shearing is down to earth, easy to talk with, and completely at home with the blind community. Lady Ellie Shearing will donate books and music from her late husband George Shearing for the library at Selis Manor.

Lady Ellie Shearing with Daryl Sherman, jazz vocalist/pianist and staff Rocky Simms

(Left to Right) VISIONS Board Members Mannie Corman, Cynthia Stuen and Steve Bernstein, Lady Ellie Shearing, Daryl Sherman, Jazz Vocalist and Pianist and Nancy D. Miller, CEO

TT has been a consumer with VISIONS for over a year. First coming to the Workforce Development Department in the fall of 2012 after attaining a Commercial Cooking and Catering Certificate, her progress was halted as she faced financial and family issues. She resumed her job quest this past January, as she has been very motivated to change her life by getting a job and helping her family. TT came to VISIONS where she worked with Career Services Coordinator Brenton Hard. He helped her gain focus and prepare for getting the kind of job she wanted. He helped her improve job readiness skills and interviewing strategies. By February, Brenton made a connection with the Manager of an Auntie Anne’s Pretzel’s franchise, and introduced TT. Soon after, TT met with the Manager, who quickly determined that TT would be a valuable employee for the company and hired her as a baker for the shop. TT was elated. “I am so excited to finally have this chance to begin a new career. Now I can look forward to a future of success. VISIONS helped me make this happen.”

www.visionsvcb.org (212) 625-1616 2

Profiles of VISIONS Board Members . . .

Frances Freedman

Fran Freedman, LMSW, is one of VISIONS newest board members. She worked with Executive Director/CEO Nancy D. Miller in various partnerships

VISIONS Insights A Publication about VISIONS/Services for the

Blind and Visually Impaired

President, Board of Directors - Nancy T. JonesVice President, Board of Directors - Richard P. SimonTreasurer, Board of Directors - Burton M. Strauss, Jr.

Secretary, Board of Directors - Carol Spawn Desmond

Executive Director/CEO - Nancy D. MillerEditor, Fundraising and Grant Specialist - Rick Schwartz

Newsletter Design & Layout, Communications Assistant - Tara DellaVecchia

for over 30 years. “I have advocated for the interests of people who are blind for many years, and when the opportunity to join this board arose, it was natural for me to join with VISIONS,” said Ms. Freedman, who has had an equally long involvement with the aging network and consumer issues. Ms. Freedman recently retired as Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs where she strengthened the public education campaign regarding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and developing the Office of Financial Empowerment, the first municipal office in the nation with a mission to educate, empower and protect New Yorkers with low incomes. Ms. Freedman also worked with Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW) to create a course in financial empowerment and financial counseling, and a field placement opportunity for which she served as field instructor for three second-year students. She is a past president of the CUSSW Alumni Association, and a recipient of the University’s Alumni Medal. In 2013 she received the Social Work Image Award from the New York City Chapter of NASW. She has created a new partnership between VISIONS and the New York Botanical Gardens. Her goal is to expand programming for people who are blind and partially sighted, including creating a fragrance garden and offering internships for blind people seeking work experiences. Ms. Freedman is co-chair of the VISIONS Board Development committee.

Executive Director/CEONancy D. Miller

VISIONS staff is preparing for our 88th summer season at VISIONS Center on Blindness VCB, and the 2nd season of the pre-college program at Manhattanville College. Both programs focus on acquiring enhanced mobility skills, independent activities of daily living, social networking, healthy eating and emotional health. Partially funded by the NYS Commission for the Blind, blind children and youth leave each program with new confidence and abilities. We invite you to the VCB open houses on June 8 and August 3, 2014. VISIONS 29th golf and tennis outing was the best ever with 69 golfers and tennis players and 90 guests for dinner. Proceeds are dedicated to VCB programs. We thank the volunteer golf committee for their commitment and hours spent attracting sponsors and participants and VISIONS staff that made the day a great success. VISIONS community advisory boards have held very successful events to both raise money and awareness of vision loss. We also thank VISIONS staff for their efforts. VISIONS staff made excellent presentations to inform the public regarding vision loss and presented at the annual NYS Commission for the Blind Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Institute in Albany, NY.VISIONS Executive Director/CEO held positive meetings welcoming

the new Commissioner of the NYC Department for the Aging Donna Corrado and the new Commissioner of the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration Janet LaBreck. Both the senior center and caregiver programs received very good assessments from the NYC Department for the Aging. We also thank our major funders, the Lavelle Fund for the Blind for an employment sector grant, The New York Community Trust and JP Morgan Chase for funding the Youth Coalition, and Readers Digest Partners for Sight for children and families program expansion. We are delighted to introduce new staff and Board members as we continue to grow our services and reach more blind people and families in need.

www.visionsvcb.org (212) 625-1616

Selis Manor Renovation

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Residents and visitors to Selis Manor can attest that the long awaited building renovations have begun. VISIONS is working collaboratively with the HDFC Board of Directors, Arco Management and the general contractor. Service and programs are continuing in the changing configurations of the facility. In the first phase of work, the basement level and east side of

VISIONS Center on Aging Senior Center Council The first Senior Center Council election at the VISIONS Center on Aging was held in March. Yvonne Whitehurst is President and Al Cutolo is Vice President. Other elected members of the executive committee include Valerie Buckner, Mary Conner, Doug Herrington and Lillian Kinley. The Senior Center Council’s first meeting in April focused on bringing fresh new ideas for programs and meals. Ms. Whitehurst said, “I’m excited we can enhance more of the programs, bring in more events and increase membership for the center.” Mr. Cutolo echoing Yvonne’s sentiment, stated, “I’m excited to increase involvement and interest from the participants.

I think it will be great to be a part of the council and have a voice in the ongoing discussion of what we hope to accomplish at VISIONS Center on Aging. I think a key feature

is to ensure that participants are responsible for what they want to see happen at the center.” The Council will hold its next meeting in August.

VISIONS Center on Aging Senior Center Council from left to right: Yvonne Whitehurst, Doug Herrington, Mary Conner, Valerie Bucker

(not pictured: Al Culolo and Lillian Kinley)

the first floor have been closed off, shifting programs to the auditorium and conference room on the west side, and the 2nd Floor. Please contact Ann DeShazo, (646) 486-4444 Ext. 11, if there are any questions or problems during the renovations. Thank you all for your patience during this work. The results will be worth it.

VISIONS Director of Rehabilitation Discusses Multi-disciplinary TeamsWilliam “Bill” Hixson, OTR, COMS, CVRT, VISIONS Director of Rehabilitation gave an inspiring presentation. As part of a panel at the New York State Commission for the Blind Annual Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Institute, Bill talked about collaborations with other professionals, the school, the family and the client’s religious community. Nancy D. Miller VISIONS CEO was the panel moderator.

(Above) the new library space


• The 29th Annual VCB Golf and Tennis Outing was held on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 co-chaired by Robbie Davis, Ric Apter and Bill Resnick. Former NFL players Jude Waddy and Roman Oben were joined by over 60 players including Lions Club members. The Somers Lions Club made a $5,000 donation at the event.

• VISIONS is a proud recipient of two Lions grants. The Brooklyn Bridge Lions Club will provide matching funds for both grants.The Brandel-Murphy Youth Foundation has provided funding to purchase equipment and supplies for children and youth who attend VCB. The District 20-K1 Foundation has provided funding to purchase equipment at VISIONS at Selis Manor to enable blind consumers from Brooklyn and Queens to participate in programs.

Abed is a 22 year old native of Lebanon who came to the United States in 2009, where he graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Economics. Abed has been blind since birth with Macular Degeneration, however he never took advantage of any services that are available to people who are blind because he didn’t know they existed. He relocated to New York City where he obtained a job developing tech tools for a financial consulting firm. Because he was unfamiliar with the range of adaptive equipment that is available, he spent most of his time in front of his computer screen trying to read the tiny print. Through chance he learned about VISIONS and VCB and attended the “Health and Well-Being” weekend session in May. It was the first time he has ever been involved in a group with other people who were blind. He became aware of the assistive devices that are available like enhanced screen readers, audio converters and navigation devices that he could use at home and at his job. He learned that his employer could get incentives to obtain the office equipment for him, and that he could obtain assistance from the New York State

Commission for the Blind and other government agencies. He said, “The best part, it was the first time in over two and a half years since I’ve been in New York that I was able to get out of the City and participate in such a supportive environment. VCB helped raise my awareness of what I could accomplish with the right tools.” He vows to return for the 11-day summer session at VCB, “Better Choices, Better Health,” in August. VCB held two successful weekends in April and in May with the Lions walk-a-thon.

VISIONS Center on Blindness VCB LIONS Corner

Lion Dina Nejman with VCB Director Khaled Musa at VCB Lions Clothing Drive on March 15, featuring Lions from North Rockland, Putnam Valley, Monsey/ Ramapo, Pearl River, Blauvelt, and Nanuet Lions Lions Clubs. Thanks to everyone for their help.

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Connecticut

Bronx

VISIONS Events


Queens

Brooklyn This year, for the second time, the Brooklyn Advisory Board hosted an evening at the Brooklyn Nets. Seventy five advisory board members and their guests purchased tickets to attend the Nets game on January 21. Due to a big snowstorm, some of the guests were unable to attend. The Nets made it up to the VISIONS ticket holders by inviting them to a game the following week. GO NETS!

(Pictured Left Nicole C. Kear, author of Now I See You)On June 6, the VISIONS Brooklyn Advisory Board

hosted its 24th Annual Luncheon and Award Ceremony at the Marco Polo Ristorante. The Brooklyn Advisory Board members came out in force to support this year’s honorees: Nicole C. Kear, author of Now I See You, Kern Augustine Conroy & Schoppmann, P.C., Steve Sherman, DO, MS.

On March 13, the Bronx Advisory Board hosted its 21st Annual Dinner and Award Ceremony. With over 150 attendees, the event raised $38,000. Many thanks to our honorees: Mickey Axelbank, Johanna Espinosa of Monroe College, Carol Laurenzano of the NY Yankees, Ralph Scottino of the Bronx Rotary, and Michael Ungaro of Metro Optics. We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors: Metro Optics, the New York Yankees, Securitas Security, Emblem Health, Michael Stoller, Urban Health Plan, and the Bronx Times Reporter.

Visions Sunday Self Reliance Program consists of rehabilitation, prevocational and social services for children within the ages of 10 to 13. This program provides individual and/or group services in vision rehabilitation training, orientation and mobility, technology training and parent support groups. The first session was held on May 18th, 2014 at Visionary Media, which is a music recording studio in Manhattan owned and operated by blind and visually impaired musicians. The director of Visionary Media, Brooke Fox, provided a general overview on the concepts and genres of the studio. The children were mentored by visually impaired audio engineers who provided instruction on how to operate a sound board of a recording studio. They were given the opportunity to observe and navigate the controls of the sound board during a band rehearsal. Through this activity, the children learned different career options in the field of music production

and audio engineering. Overall, the children were inspired by Visionary Media staff members and band members to follow their dreams regardless of the obstacles and challenges presented with vision impairment. The next session was held on June 1st, 2014. The children participated in rehabilitation training at Selis Manor. The staff provided instruction on how to organize and prepare a simple meal. Through this activity, the children learned to handle money, purchase items and implement meal preparation techniques. Also the children discussed bullying and ways to handle bullying with VISIONS Certified rehabilitation counselor Melissa Phipps. The parents held a discussion on ways to identify and handle bullying. They received a listing of community resources. Through this program, we gave blind children opportunities to explore and engage within the community to become independent.

Tween Self-Reliance Program

On May 13, the VISIONS Queens Advisory Board held their 30th Annual Luncheon; 229 guests attended at Terrace on the Park.

On May 20, the 29th Annual VCB Golf and Tennis Outing was attended by over 60 players and was our most successful event in Greenwich, CT at the Fairview Country Club.

No one tells the VISIONS story better than our participants. Below are some of the letters we receive. They inspire us and put smiles on our faces. We hope they do the same for you!

Full-timeKinshasa Coghill, CVRT/CLVTSamantha Enright, Employment SpecialistMichelle Leona Gooden, Customer Service RepresentativeJames Murphy, Customer Service RepresentativeHonory Peňa, Youth Services Specialist Karen Wheeldon, COMS

Part-timeBetsy B. Armstrong, COMSJoya Musa, COMS/TVIAnna Nuńez, Program AssistantMaria Rinklin, OMS/VRT

InternsMelissa Palladino, Touro College - Social WorkYvonne Vega, Manhattan Educational Opportunity Center - Administration

Upcoming Events VCB Open HouseAugust 3, 2014

Manhattan Advisory Board Award CeremonySeptember 10, 2014

For more information about these events go to our website or email [email protected]

IA was 39 years old and living in upstate New York when he suffered multiple strokes that caused vision loss. Now legally blind he returned to Brooklyn to live with his mother and sister, but he is determined to overcome his challenges. His goal is to regain his independence, return to his home and job upstate. IA was referred to VISIONS by the New York State Commission for the Blind. A Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Nancy Scharpenberg is working with him to develop the skills he needs to restore his independence. He is also working with VISIONS Licensed

Social Worker Lisa Drzewucki who has been coaching him on the array of benefits and services that are available and encouraging him to take part in other VISIONS programs. He now attends the Selis Manor Community Center where he joined a men’s support group and is takes classes in photography and creative writing. “He is turning into a poet,” said Lisa. “He’s already written three poems, and said he found it helpful and enjoyable to write and express his feelings.” To see some samples of IA’s work, visit VISIONS website at www/visions/vcb/(link).

New to Vision Rehabilitation: A Client’s Story


Dear Nancy Scharpenberg, I absolutely love working with you! You make learning so much fun! You have taught me so much. You have such a fun upbeat personality. Once again you are fantastic! Working with you is the best! Thanks again!D

Dear Visions, A few years back my partner, Rita S.,was able to use your services when a diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa necessitated use of a cane for the blind. Rita met for a number of weeks with a competent and kind woman who really helped her to learn how to navigate these new circumstances in her life. On January 25th our daughter, Cara, became a Bat Mitzvah. We decided to donate a portion of the gift money

she received to 3 charities that had meaning for our family. VISIONS was one of the 3 we selected. When Rita was emotionally struggling with this new challenge in her life, Cara said, “Mama, you have to think of the cane as your “Staff of Awesomeness.” I thought you would appreciate knowing that, as well. We hope this donation can help others make use of your services. Many Thanks, Shelley, Rita S. and Cara

Hello John, My name is Rebecca Ramos & I have been a customer of Metro Optics for over 15 years now. I was pleasantly surprised to find out at the annual VISIONS fundraiser that Metro Optics is a supporter of such a great organization. I wanted to say thank you so much! My 10 year old son who is blind receives lots of services from VISIONS. I am so grateful for VISIONS for all they do not only for Elijah but for my entire family. Thank you so much for supporting

VISIONS which affords my son, Elijah the opportunity to grow & reach his maximum potential!Gracefully yours, Rebecca Ramos

Dear Nancy Scharpenberg,I can’t thank you enough for all of your help! I really appreciate your time and patience. I cant wait to learn even more! You are an amazing teacher! Thanks again for everything! Sincerely, D.T.

New Staff at VISIONS


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

VISIONS thanks all our Board, Advisory Council and Advisory Board Members. VISIONS welcomes the following members:

$10,000 or more:CVS Pharmacy, Inc.Estate of Mary F. TubridyFiduciary Trust Company InternationalJP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.Moses L. Parshelsky Fdn.Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Fdn.

$1,000 - $9,999:American General Life Insurance Co. Jane B. Anthony Arnold K. Davis & Co., Inc. BeneCard Services, Inc. - PBF Douglas Andrew Borck Dr. Gene Caiafa, Jr., DDS Central Brooklyn Lions Club, Inc. Chubb & Son, Inc. ConocoPhillips Co. Mannie Corman D&D Elevator Maintenance, Inc.Paul G. D’OnofrioRalph A. D’OnofrioDr. Sandra DelsonDemarest Lloyd Jr. FoundationElisabeth Depicciotto

VISIONS would like to thank the following friends for providing funding of

Our Gratitude to . . .

VISIONS Board of DirectorsDonald Dunning, Frances Freedman

Brooklyn Advisory Board MembersMichael Lambert, Executive Director, Bed-Stuy Gateway BID

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District 20K1 Lions ClubDonald B. Marron Charitable TrustDouglass Winthrop Advisors, LLCEifert, French & KetchumEmblemHealth Services, LLCEnvision Pharmaceutical Services Inc. Express Scripts, Inc.Dr. David and Leslie FastenbergFraternal Order of PoliceGeorgica Advisors LLCGifts From my Father/Mother Inc.Michael D. GreenspanHoly Cross High SchoolNancy T. JonesLions Club of Bedford VillageLions Club of PleasantvilleLions Club of SomersMagnacare, LLC.Main Street Radiology at Bayside, LLCMartha W Straus-Harry H Straus FdnMAXORMcGraw-Hill FinancialWilliam MelchiorMetro Optics Eyewear Inc.Nancy D. and Gerald Miller

N.Y. Hunts Point Lions ClubNational Vision Administrators, LLCNew York Citizen’s Committee on Aging IncNew York Community BankNew York YankeesNorman & Bettina Roberts Foundation, Inc.North Shore-LIJ Forest Hills HospitalNorth Shore-LIJ Health System Fdn.NY Hospital Medical Ctr of QueensAnthony R. OrgeraIsrael O. OwodunniPeople’s United BankPDG Angelo PurcigliottiQueens Public Comm. Corp.William S. ResnickRochelle & David A. Hirsch Foundation, Inc.Rotary Club of FlushingHenry SavethKenneth D. SchlechterRobert A. SchonbrunnSherman Realty Partners LPRichard P. SimonSports Medicine & Rehab.James A. and Jane SternHarriette and Burton M. Strauss, Jr.Dr. Cynthia StuenThe Baumann Family FoundationThe Frederick J. Haug Family FoundationTrio Shoe Co., Inc.Ira J. Udell, M.DVuksan VatajVoluntary Assoc. for Sr. CitizenClaire Wagner Est. Heinbach Wagner TrustLena J. WatsonPDG George WiedmillerJohn WinthropWyckoff Heights Medical Ctr.

Special Thanks To . . . NYC Dept of Youth & Community DevelopmentNYS Office of Children & Family Services / NYS Commission for the Blind & Visually HandicappedNYC Department for the Aging

Susan AuerbachDaniel BernsteinBrookdale Foundation GroupChristine GrassmanRocky GrazianoNasser HashashLyn HillStephanie Hill WilchfortJacob k. Javits Convention CenterJudd Kessler

Carol LaurenzanoJanis LaskyLes Copain BVM U.S.A.Manhattan Chamber of CommerceMaria Luisa de Moreno International FoundationProvident BankPeter Ro�manSacred Sound Yoga

VISIONS Board News

About VISIONS How to Reach Us VISIONS services are partially funded by the New York State Commission for the Blind and the NYC Department for the Aging; support from the Borough Presidents of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens; Assembly Member Richard Gottfried; New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Members Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Margaret Chin, Inez E. Dickens, Daniel R. Garodnick, Corey Johnson, Ydanis Rodriguez, Annabel Palma, Deborah Rose, Eric Ulrich, James Vacca, and, Mark Weprin. 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, and Vision Serve 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, New York, NY 10271, or on-line at www.guidestar.org

VISIONS Main Office:By Phone: (212) 625-1616

By Mail: 500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY, 10013-1354By Email: [email protected]

By Fax: (212) 219-4078

VISIONS at Selis Manor:By Phone: (646) 486-4444

By Mail: 135 West 23rd Street New York, NY 10011

By Email: [email protected]

VISIONS Senior Center: (212) 625-1616 Ext. 155

Blindline®:(212) 625-3301 or (888) 625-1616

www.blindline.org

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 donor 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.

VISIONS / Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired500 Greenwich Street, 3rd FloorNew York, NY 10013-1354

We count on your support so we can serve blind people in need. When our appeal letter arrives, please be as generous as you can.

Thank you.

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