VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, www.visionsvcb.org
is a recent recipient of grant funding from the Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation in support of VISIONS’  Intergenerational Program (IGP).
 
VISIONS IGP began in 1987 to assist home-bound blind elders, who lived in New York City’s ubiquitous walk-up apartment buildings, manage the stairs or perform daily chores that prevent blind seniors from meeting their needs. Under the program, VISIONS recruits New York City high school students who make weekly visits with blind or visually impaired older adults who live alone in their homes. The program seeks to ensure that both the elders and the youth build relationships that bridge the years, encouraging connections where seniors become role models and educators to the teens, and young people offer helping hands to their elders.
 
The services provided by the youth include shopping, reading/writing, escorting, technology/computer assistance and taking trips that enable blind seniors to remain safe, engaged, active and independent at home, aging in place rather than in a nursing home.  The program supports the emotional and mental health of seniors by preventing social isolation and depression through weekly group activities, and provides youth the capacity to develop sensitivity to working with people who have disabilities. To support the youth, mass transit MetroCards are provided as incentives.
 
VISIONS has also recently been selected by the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) to operate a congregate senior center designed to meet the needs of blind and severely visually impaired older adults. Beginning on January 3, 2012, the new VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center, that will be located at the VISIONS at Selis Manor Community Center, 135 West 23rd Street in Manhattan, will provide daily meals and a full schedule of programs and services for seniors with vision impairments. VISIONS IGP will be incorporated into the operations of the senior center, and the grant funding from the Partners for Sight Foundation will provide a smooth transition for the program into the senior center.
 
For information about the VISIONS Intergenerational Program or the Senior Center, please contact Carrie Lewy at 212-625-1616, ext. 147, or by email at clewy@visionsvcb.org.