The Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County

09/27/2019

Save The Date:
Sat., Oct. 26
Love Our Central Coast Volunteer Day
The BVIC will once again have 20+ volunteers here to complete various projects. All done in one day!

Please consider being one of the volutneers.
Watch their website for more info and to sign-up.
https://www.loveourcentralcoast.org/

See some photos of last year's volunteers.

09/27/2019

Save The Date:
Oct. 12th from 10am - 2pm
Country Store Auction
Free admission, music and snacks.
Live & Silent Auction
Wine
Goodie Sale (homemade jam and goodies)
Client made ceramics, microwave bowl holders and more!

09/06/2019

The BVIC is pleased to be a grantee of the Monterey Peninsula Volunteer Services (MPVS).
On Thursday, Oct. 24 from 5-7pm, they are hosting their
"Little Black Dress Event"
665 Broadway Ave, Seaside.

By supporting them, you support our clients!
Please pass the word and plan to attend.

07/30/2019

Proceeds free guide dogs and training for qualified applicants.

EYE DOG FOUNDATION FOR THE BLIND, INC.

Seeing eye dog
Eye Dog Foundation was organized as a non-profit corporation in 1952. Ever since that time, it has been dedicated to giving guide dogs to the blind and the visually impaired at absolutely no cost to them. Our German Shepherd dogs have been assisting blind individuals all over the world with their daily travels. The dogs provide guidance and safety, as well as loving companionship.

We have developed this website to help our visitors become better informed about our programs and guide dogs in general. There is a wealth of information about our training program for the guide dogs and their handlers, our puppy raising program as well as information on how you can help us to continue providing this much appreciated service for our friends who have impaired vision.

DogBy the way, we prefer to call our dogs “guide dogs” although many people over the years have begun using the term “seeing-eye dog.” We are not sure where the origin of seeing-eye dog started, but one of the first training schools established back in 1927 was called the Seeing Eye and naturally they called their dogs the “seeing-eye dogs.” So, perhaps that was where the term originated, but at our facility we are determined to use the phrase guide dog which we feel provides the best description of what they do.

06/27/2019

In 1925, Helen Keller attended the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA and challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Since then Lions from across the globe have worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually impaired.

Happy Birthday Helen Keller!

06/27/2019

Celebrating Helen Keller's Birthday Today

Happy Birthday Helen Keller!

Today, we celebrate Helen Keller, a pioneer who lead by example. Her words still inspire us today:

"Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light."


Read more words of wisdom from Helen Keller here:
https://www.thoughtco.com/helen-keller-quotes-2832699

Helen Keller's Thoughts on Optimism

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows."

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."

"Believe. No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars or sailed to an uncharted land or opened a new heaven to the human spirit."

"What I am looking for is not out there; it is in me."

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

"Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourself a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere, and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles."

"Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world right in the eye."

06/27/2019

Delta Gamma Alumni Association of Monterey County Volutneer at The BVIC.

Allison Corderniz visited the center to express interest in their group volunteering at the center. We discussed volunteer opportunities and settled on a gardening project. The group researched deer resistant plants, and purchased more than twodozen varieties.

For more than three hours on Sunday, June 23, members of trimmed, removed dead plants, and planted a variety of new plants. All the while, they talked, laughed and smiled.

We send our many many thanks to them for volunteering to refresh the back garden and bring some cheer to the clients and staff of The BVIC.

06/27/2019

Learning Event in San Francisco

Learn how to access magazines and newspapers from around the world on July 18

Are you unable to easily read newspapers due to blindness or low vision, physical disability or dyslexia? We have a tool to help - come to San Francisco LightHouse to learn how to use the Newsline Information Service on July 18. It’s a free service which offers multiple ways of accessing the news.

Newsline contains more than 200 US and international newspapers, more than 50 magazines, TV and job listings, news about state and local events, and much more. Listen on the phone, access it on devices, or have magazines and newspapers delivered to your email, completely free of charge.

This is your opportunity to connect with our partners at the San Francisco Public Library's Talking Books and Braille Center to learn all the ways that Newsline can enhance your access to the world, and even get signed up for the service.

To RSVP, contact Adult Program Coordinator Serena Olsen at [email protected] or 415-694-7316.

05/16/2019

03/08/2019

We are very pleased to announce we received a $20,000 matching grant from the Harden Foundation. Once we receive donations of this amount, then we can receive the grant from them.
Please send your support today!

Our 2019 operating budget is $655,000. This grant will help us cover our costs of providing services to Monterey County residents living with vision loss.

Please send your support today!

12/12/2018

MC GIVES 2018
The Monterey County Gives 2018 campaign is underway and The BVIC is once again benefiting from the generosity of many community members.

You can add your support by going directly to this link:

https://www.montereycountygives.com/nonprofit/blind-and-visually-impaired-center/

Your support will help many of your neighbors gain skills and confidence to maintain their independence while adjusting to vision loss.

"The staff here help people with all kinds of vision problems. I have diabetes which can be challenging with vision loss so the staff have been helping me with nutrition and diabetic management. Through the Support Group, I learned about MST bus services and have become a volunteer navigator for others with vision challenges. I have also referred them to the Center and the Support Group. The activities here are wonderful: the Support Group, the Tuesday Lunches, the Ceramics Class and the Braille Class. Braille has helped me with my English and, thanks to the Blind Center, I am continuing by Braille education at the Hadley School for the Blind. The staff's hands-on approach has enabled me to become much more independent with my daily living skills. The Support Group and classes plus the individual training have all made me gain independence, self-esteem and confidence."

- Juvenal