Summer 2019 Issue 12 Insights Newsletter - VISIONS

Third Generation Board Member: Burton M. Strauss Jr.Meet Burton M. Strauss, Jr. a 3rdgeneration VISIONS Board Memberand current Treasurer of the Boardof Directors. He highlights his family’srich history with the organization anddiscusses an exciting initiative he andhis wife Harriette (former VISIONSBoard Member) recently created.“My relationship with VISIONS startedalmost at birth. My grandmother wasone of the founders of Vacation Campand Dormitory for the Blind in 1923. Herhusband and a handful of men solicitedthe funds to provide our services withan annual budget barely in six figures. Ibegan volunteering as a photographerat events as a teenager. My father wasthe first male president and my motherworked with residents of the dorm astheir bookkeeper. Her sister and herhusband also both played importantroles in the organization.VISIONS has been blessed with someof the most outstanding thinkers in theworld of blindness services includingIrving Miller and Harry Minkoff. Ourcurrent Executive Director for the last32 years (Nancy D. Miller) continues tofind programs and financing that placesus as one of the leading agencies forthe visually impaired population. OurPresident of the Board for the last 34years (Nancy T. Jones) has provided theguidance to give us a significantly largerpresence in the world of blind services.Personally, I have actively participatedin the growth of the organization. Ijoined VISIONS board with Harriettein the early 1960s when we left theWestchester Advisory Board and movedto Manhattan. I have been Treasurerof the Board for over 30 years andparticipated in the merger with theFund for the Blind in 1984. The mergerplaced VISIONS in its secure financialcondition. It enabled us to open theVISIONS Vocational RehabilitationCenter. This 9 million facility locatedat the VISIONS Center on Blindnessin Spring Valley is a unique operationproviding young blind students withthe opportunity to prepare for andfind gainful employment. Another veryimportant service we provide is our NYCDFTA supported Center on Aging, whichfurnishes meals and services for over160 people daily at Selis Manor.As a measure of ongoing attachmentto VISIONS, we have established theHarriette and Burton Strauss, Jr. TuitionAssistance Fund. This endowmentwill provide an annual grant to oneof our staff members pursuing anundergraduate or graduate degreein areas that will benefit both thegrantee and VISIONS in assisting ourconsumers. We believe this programwill help continue the staff’s attachmentto our agency which is shown in ouroutstanding employee retention rateover the years.”In Memorium of Mannie CormanMannie Corman, Age 100, passed away April 12, 2019.He was born and lived his whole life in Brooklyn. His firstmarriage was to Dr. Francis Bell who predeceased him. Heowned several children’s clothing factories, Jane Darling DressInc. and Storyland Fashion. He was an active philanthropist.After losing sight in one eye, in 2006 he became a volunteerand board member of VISIONS and supported their centersin Rockland County and Selis Manor, a residence for blindpeople, on 23rd Street in New York. He was a member ofthe Brooklyn Bridge Lions Club along with several VISIONSstaff and Board members. He celebrated his 100th birthdayin August 2018 and married Judith Rock Goldman at theparty. His wife and loving family and friends will miss him.He was truly one in a million.4 www.visionsvcb.org (212) 625-1616

Grand Re-Opening of VISIONS at Selis ManorVISIONS Board of Directors and Staff Members cutting a ribbon in celebration of the Grand Re-Opening of VISIONS at Selis ManorOn Wednesday May 1, 2019 VISIONSheld a ribbon cutting ceremony tocelebrate the Grand Re-Opening ofVISIONS at Selis Manor. We celebratedthe resilience and renewal of the centerfollowing catastrophic events such as9/11, a bombing and flooding, thegreat partnerships and support thecenter benefits from including funders,volunteers, government officials andthe building owners; and a celebrationof the life of longtime VISIONS BoardMember Mannie Corman who recentlypassed away. VISIONS ExecutiveDirector and CEO Nancy D. Miller beganthe evening by speaking about the richhistory of the center and thanking theBoard of Directors for their supportin all of the innovative programs thathave been added since the openingin 2001. She thanked the buildingowner The Associated Blind, Inc., theTenants Association President JoyceCarrico and our funders and supportersincluding The Lavelle Fund for the Blind,Marble Collegiate Church, The NewYork State Commission for the Blind,the NYC Department for the Aging,and representatives from the officesof Senator Brad Hoylman, AssemblyMember Richard Gottfried, SpeakerCorey Johnson and Manhattan BoroughPresident Gale Brewer.VISIONS Board of Directors, led byPresident Nancy T. Jones, cut a redribbon signifying the re-birth and brightfuture ahead for VISIONS at Selis Manor.This was followed by a heartfelt tributeto longtime Board Member MannieCorman when Chief Program OfficerRuben Coellar and Senior Director ofSelis Manor Ann DeShazo unveiled asign in honor of Mannie while his wifeJudy Rock Goldman and family lookedon. This beautiful sign will remain at thefront of the auditorium at VISIONS atSelis Manor, a vibrant center for over1000 participants, which was near anddear to Mannie.The evening concluded with theperformance of two beautiful songsby The FMDG Music School VocalEnsemble and a reception for the morethan 150 guests. We are proud of therich history of VISIONS at Selis Manorand excited about what the futureholds.This sign is located in the auditorium of VISIONS at Selis Manor.www.visionsvcb.org (212) 625-16165

VISIONS Events in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan and QueensVISIONS 34th Annual Charity Golf and Tennis OutingOn Tuesday May 21, 2019, VISIONShosted its 34th Annual Charity Golfand Tennis Outing at beautiful QuakerRidge Golf Club in Scarsdale, New York.We are excited to announce that thiswas our most well attended eventto date including 80 golfers and 10tennis players. It was a beautiful day,70 degrees and sunny, perfect forparticipating in the day’s events withmore than 50,000 raised benefitingVISIONS Center on Blindness (VCB)in Spring Valley, New York. Golf andtennis players enjoyed gifts providedby Nike, free professional stretchingprovided by Total Form Fitness, a lavishbrunch, and of course refreshments.Athletes showed additional support forVCB with the purchase of Mulligan’s(which we’re sure no one needed touse!), while dinner guests and athletesalike participated in raffles for doorprizes and auction items. All attendeesenjoyed a beautiful reception completewith an informative and fun-filled Q&Asession hosted by Nelson Figueroa Jr.,former New York Mets pitcher andcurrent pre and post-game studioanalyst for New York Mets Broadcastson SNY. We thank all of our players,guests, supporters and sponsors fortheir generous support, making this amost successful event. A special thankyou to the professional staff at QuakerRidge, VISIONS Staff and our fantasticGolf and Tennis Committee: Ric C.Apter (Co-Chair), Robert A. Davis (CoChair), Frank Cerza, Bud Hammer, CathyHoffman, Nancy T. Jones and TheodoreKlingos. If you would like to join us nextyear please email golf@visionsvcb.orgQueensBronxBrooklynOn Saturday, February 9 2019,VISIONS Queens Advisory Board heldits 2nd Annual Cocktails for a CauseFundraiser at Good Company Tavernin Little Neck NY. Those in attendanceenjoyed delicious food prepared byChef Franco Raicovich donated by theDouglaston Manor. Thank you to MikeSackos, Owner of Aegea West Gyros& Pizza for donating both Greek andItalian fare. Alexa Politis, local singer,for singing Broadway tunes. VISIONSQueens Advisory Board Member,Stephanie Belanich, Keller WilliamsGreater Nassau, who volunteered asguest bartender and to all the localbusinesses that donated prizes to ourraffle!VISIONS Bronx Advisory Board’s AnnualDinner and Awards Ceremony tookplace at Tosca on March 8, 2019. Manythanks to our wonderful honorees:Bobby Jaen, President, Throggs NeckMerchants Association and Owner,Anthony’s Flower Farm; Derrick Lovett,President/CEO, MBD CommunityHousing Corp.; Drs. Anthony andMichael Pisacano, Pisacano Eye Surgery& Laser Specialists. Thank you to emceeGary Axelbank of thisistheBronx.com and to Bronxnet for creating awonderful video about VISIONS. Thevideo was shown that evening andwill be a great marketing piece. Thisyear’s dinner raised a net of 30,000 tosupport VISIONS programs in the Bronx.The Brooklyn Advisory hosted twogreat events this past winter, raisingthousands of dollars to support VISIONSfree services in Brooklyn:Viva VISIONS, an afterwork networkingevening on December 6, 2018, was abrand new event for the group. Hostedat Yayo’s, we had a great crowd thatenjoyed terrific drinks and food, excitingdoor prizes and many guests who werenew to VISIONS.The Applebee’s Flapjack Breakfaston March 2, 2019 was, once again, ahuge success, greatly enjoyed by ouradvisory board members, their familiesand many seniors from the community.Many thanks to Joe Corace and Kiwanisfor underwriting the breakfast.ManhattanEnjoying the afternoon out in supportof VISIONS,left to right Andrea Balzarini,Maxine Conlin and Toni Vatier6 www.visionsvcb.org (212) 625-1616Not to be outdone, the ManhattanAdvisory Board hosted their ownViva VISIONS at Tacombi EmpireState Building. Lots of fun, lots ofconversation, many new faces. Theevent raised net proceeds of morethan 2,000 for VISIONS free servicesin Manhattan.Bronx Advisory BoardFor more information about theadvisory boards, contact Amy Gordonamygor2@aol.com

Left to right: Harry de la Cruz (caddy), Doug Borck, Jim Baumann, Michael Greenspan,Richard McMann (caddy), Robbie DavisLeft to right: Leon Pollack, Ric Apter, formerMLB pitcher and studio analyst for NewYork Mets Broadcasts on SNY NelsonFigueroa Jr., and John HefferFront row: Steve Satran, Melanie Satran, Josie Yee, Jen Hinkle, Cheryl EustisBack row: Jag Rao, Anthony Scovotti, Chris Scovotti, Steve Rosenblatt, Bob SchonbrunnVRC: Ushering In SuccessStephen P. is a 22-year old legallyblind client from Brooklyn, whodirectly experienced the challengesof transitioning from youth toadulthood. He graduated high schoolconfused, fearful, and unfamiliar withthe ways of the adult workforce andthe responsibilities that came withadulthood. He then decided to receiveservices from VISIONS. Stephen attendedthe Vocational Rehabilitation Center(VRC) where he received intensiveworkforce training and counselingand took classes, which equipped himwith the professional skills necessaryto obtain and sustain employment. Heparticipated in internships, resume/cover letter development, interviewprep/practice, career exploration, andtechnical training that enhanced hismarketability and self-confidence.After graduating from the VRCprogram, Stephen was connected to anemployer through VISIONS placementservices. This employer had a customerservice position that was a good fit forStephen, who by nature was very shy,and somewhat anxious about goingto work. He completed the interviewprocess and was hired for the positionof Usher/Customer Service agent at theKings Theatre in Brooklyn. In this role,Stephen has successfully exceled statingthat “this is a good fit for me. I meetall types of people each day and I’mmore confident now interacting withindividuals.”Due to Stephens’s new founddedication, hard work, and reliabletraining from the VRC and theWorkforce Development Department,he also returned to college in additionto work and thus far has an A average.Stephen now has a clear vision anddrive that is rooted in a newfound senseof confidence in his abilities, potential,and opportunities. “Everything is goinggood! I’m working and I’m in collegeand I have an A average!”www.visionsvcb.org (212) 625-16167

From New Jersey to VISIONS Center on Blindness VCBMeet Jeruziah F. age 10 - a fun-lovingand energetic VCB participant from NewJersey, who looks forward to playing thevarious pianos onsite, loves arts andcrafts and can’t wait to partake in theevening programs that feature talentshows, dances, and cultural nights. Thisyear marks his second year attending thesummer program, along with his brother,age 7.Our featured participant Jeruziah wasdiagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa atage 2, and only has partial use of hisvision, with the ability to see more clearlyin the daytime. Jeruziah, who is alsocolor blind, struggles with concurrentchallenges, including OppositionalWestchester ExpansionWe are excited to announce thatVISIONS/Services for the Blind andVisually Impaired is increasing itsfootprint, and expanding its services inWestchester. VISIONS proudly steppedin to provide services in Westchesterwhen a previous provider left the area,leaving blind residents in the region withvery limited vision rehabilitation services.Since January 2019, VISIONS hired 3 newstaff members to provide services in theregion: Anuola De Four-Howard COMS,Julie Spodnick CVRT and Wojciech JacobiO&M and has already received referralsfor over 150 blind Westchester residentsDefiant Disorder (ODD) and AttentionDeficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)and is the embodiment of a child whotruly puts his best foot forward in all thathe does. His mother, Martha has utilizedmany services for her son.Martha explains, “While there areservices in New Jersey, resources arelimited and there is nothing in placelike the summer program that VCBoffers.” Jeruziah gets to be independenthere, and is learning so much. He hasbecome more organized and his moodhas improved immensely.” VCB has alsohelped Martha gain valuable informationas a parent, citing helpful workshopsthat have contributed to her enhancedawareness about her son. “You get tomeet a lot of parents who have childrenwith the same issues. You get a lot ofinformation, and you give informationback, so it’s great.”Up until last school year, Jeruziah wasembarrassed to use his mobility cane, butwith the encouragement from his momand VCB staff, they persuaded Jeruziahto utilize his cane, and helped him torecognize the importance of asking forhelp when it’s needed. Martha heardabout VISIONS from a staff member thatis part of an online community for visuallyimpaired individuals and their families.Martha reports, “there has been atremendous improvement in Jeruziah’ssocial cues which have developedduring his time at VCB. He has greatlybenefited from the mobility training,which has given him a great sense ofindependence, and he even learnedabout financial management, which isvital information for him to retain intohis adult years.” Martha cannot sayenough good things about the activitiesin place at VCB, emphasizing that theyare critical in getting her son going, andreally engaging.As far as additional feedback, Ms. Ruizreports, “I think that this is a resourcethat we should have in New Jersey. Thereshould be different sections throughoutthe year. I recommend having the sessionsdispersed throughout consecutiveweekends because, for parents, you haveto take time off of work, and may haveother commitments.”Ms. Ruiz’ final remarks, “Sometimes myson gets down and depressed and VCBreally helps him. He loves it—he evenwants to move here! He is having somuch fun, and learning so much. Jeruziahgets to be around people that are like himand he knows he is not alone.”from the New York State Commission forthe Blind.Westchester legally blind and totallyblind residents now have the opportunityto receive free services and trainingthey need to gain independence andemployment. Services are provided in thehome, in the community, and overnightservices at VISIONS Center on Blindness(VCB) located in nearby Spring Valley, NY.VISIONS has joined the Business Councilof Westchester (BCW). We have beennetworking with Westchester nonprofitsso they know how to refer someone thatis blind for VISIONS services and we havemade new connections with employersfor internships and jobs for blindparticipants. On March 28, VISIONS staffattended the Westchester Business Expoat the Rye Hilton. VISIONS had a table atthe expo displaying our literature, andstaff was available to provide additionalinformation and answer questions aboutour programs. On June 3, 2019, Nancy D.Miller, VISIONS Executive Director/CEO,was interviewed on WVOX radio by BCWExecutive Vice President John Ravitz.VISIONS expansion was welcomed in ameeting with County Executive GeorgeLatimer, VISIONS Board Member JagadishRao and Westchester Volunteer RobertA. Davis.8 www.visionsvcb.org (212) 625-1616

VISIONS 4th Annual Business Partners Networking BreakfastVISIONS/Services for the Blindand Visually Impaired held itsfourth Annual Business PartnersNetworking Breakfast on March 22,2019 at VISIONS at Selis Manor. Thebreakfast brought together over 120hiring managers, NYS Commissionfor the Blind staff, blind job seekersand other stakeholders to learn moreabout the abilities of blind peopleto become productive and valuableemployees of nearly any business.Keynote speaker Jim Sinocchi, Head ofDisability Inclusion at JPMorgan Chase& Co, who himself has a disability,gave an inspiring talk on overcomingadversity while building a successfulcareer in corporate America. AlonsoMoreno, a VISIONS workforce client,spoke about how VISIONS helped himland a position as an Aviation Fellowwith the Port Authority of New Yorkand New Jersey.Employer appreciation awardswere given to Amazon, RennertInternational, Port Authority of NYand NJ, AHRC and Usable Net fortheir commitment to diversifyingtheir workforce. Contacts were madebetween the employers and jobVISIONS GrantsVISIONS is thrilled to share our success inworking with local employers to hire blindjob seekers as a trainer of staff at ABVI/Goodwill in Rochester, NY and ElizabethPierce Olmsted Center for Sight in Buffalo,NY through a grant from the Lavelle Fundfor the Blind. The first all day training tookplace on May 15, 2019 provided by NancyD. Miller, VISIONS Executive Director/CEOand Michael Cush, VISIONS Senior Directorof Workforce Development and TechnologyTraining.Allene Reuss Memorial Trust hasprovided a grant to VISIONS to reach outto the graduate schools with programs forvision rehabilitation therapists (VRT) andorientation and mobility (O&M) specialists.There is a severe shortage of thesecandidates who were present, and thusfar, at least two clients have received joboffers as a result of this event. Dawn,Chris, and Wayne received diversityinclusion certificates at VISIONS 2019Employer Award for their Breakfastfor hiring employees who are legallyblind and for making their workplace’san inclusive environment. Jessenia,representing Amazon NYC, receivedVISIONS annual employer awardfor going above and beyond intheir commitment to diversity andinclusion in the workplace. To learnmore about how blind people makegreat employees, contact MichaelCush, Senior Director of WorkforceDevelopment and Technology Trainingmcush@visionsvcb.org.Left to right: Dawn Henning, Vice President of Business Development RennertInternational Rennert Translation Group; Chris Telander Head of HR/People DirectorUsableNet, Inc.; Khadija Bari, Student Career Coordinator, VISIONS Servi

VISIONS is proud to highlight the hard work and dedication of Holly Bonner, the new Staten Island Borough Coordinator in her use of creative and engaging events. She has already expanded the knowledge of VISIONS services on Staten Island. These events stem from VISIONS Staten Island Advisory Board under the leadership of Ms. Bonner. The members