Charleston, SC 10/15/14 – Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Charleston is pleased to announce that it has received a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program for its ReFocus on Adults Program. Each month the program provides free, comprehensive, professional eye exams, referrals, education and eyewear to the homeless, working poor, uninsured or underinsured individuals in the Tri – County area living at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Up to 40 individuals are served each month at these clinics.
“We are extremely grateful for the Walmart Foundation’s generosity,” said Mary Morrison, Executive Director of the Association. “This will help us to diagnose and treat vision issues or problems before there is permanent damage to one’s sight and independent lifestyle as eye disorders and vision loss impose a significant burden on individuals both socially and economically.”
The Association seeks to improve the quality of life for the visually impaired through services, programs and advocacy by promoting independence, self-sufficiency, and by helping individuals participate fully in their communities. Formal programs have been developed to include opportunities and training for employment as well as independent living, coping and wellness skills in an atmosphere where all are welcome.
The Association also provides free vision screenings, eye exams and glasses to children who are predominately three and four years old in Charleston County Title 1 School’s Child Development and Head Start programs.
About the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired Charleston:
Founded in 1936, the Association for the Blind and the Visually Impaired – Charleston is the only privately funded, non-profit dedicated to supporting children and adults living with blindness and visual impairment in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties.
