Over the summer, 94 blind high school and college students were placed throughout the five boroughs in nonprofit and for profit sector positions through VISIONS Work Experience Training Program. The tasks ranged from maintenance and clerical to direct services. The program culminated with a graduation on August 19, 2011. The event was attended by NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped staff and supervisors from hosting organizations.

1. 1
Twenty years ago in my home country of Guyana, I was an active
Leo and committed to the mission statement to be a global leader
in community and humanitarian service. Today I stand on the
other side of the fence, proudly representing VCB and
acknowledging all the contributions provided to Emmanuel and
me.
Emmanuel is my only child – a blessed, miracle boy who God
gave to me after I lost ten babies. He was born on June 18, 2001,
at 27 weeks and weighed only 24 ounces
because of domestic violence. After just
five weeks he was sent home, where I had
to perform most of his delicate medical care myself.
I took a job offer at the United Nations Headquarters and we moved to
New York City when Emmanuel was about 15 weeks old. At this time, I
learned that Emmanuel had stage five ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity)-
the worst stage- meaning he had just scar tissues and no lens in his eyes.
Surgeries were performed and Emmanuel has gained light perception in one
eye. As he grew I was informed that he had cerebral palsy, low muscle
tone and asthma among other medical conditions which was too much for a
single mother to digest.
In 2010 he had surgery on his hips and legs at Blythedale Children’s
Hospital in Westchester. It was the hospital staff that started the process
of independence, including connecting us with VISIONS. We enrolled in VCB
(VISIONS Center on Blindness) that August. VCB was a magical experience!
Emmanuel says he was, “eager to get out from under my skirt,” but I was
not willing to let go! Continued Page 3
i n s i g h t sA newsletter of VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Fall/Winter 2011
GOING GREEN! If you want to receive
future newsletters and appeals by email, please
send an email to Kaitlin Nelson at
knelson@visionsvcb.org with your name,
email and mailing address.
As we transition, you may receive email and
print copies. Thank you for your patience.
Celebrate the Opening of the Citywide
VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center
Grand Opening Ceremonies Tuesday, January 3, 2012 1:30pm
Please RSVP. Call: (212) 625-1616 ext. 155
Email: clewy@visionsvcb.org; elee@visionsvcb.org; bfabricant@visionsvcb.org
To learn more about the exciting things
happening at VISIONS throughout the year:
Like VISIONS on Facebook:
facebook.com/visionsvcb
Follow us on Twitter:
twitter.com/visionsvcb
Hold Tight...Help Is On The Way
Audrey Ford and her son
Emmanuel, who is blind, are
VISIONS participants. Lions
Clubs provide great support
to VISIONS and to individuals
who are blind or severely
visually impaired. Leos are
younger Lions. This is their
story.
Audrey and Emmanuel
(left) with Khaled
Musa, VISIONS Staff
(right)

2. 2
together over 85 years. Our
VISIONS community is at the
core of our success. At
VISIONS, it takes us all to
contribute to each success...a
blind child improving their
reading skills; a blind
teenager completing their first
summer job; a blind senior
mastering the keyboard of a
"talking" computer and more.
We hope you will contribute
as generously as you can so we
can achieve more successes.
We are grateful to all of you
who have helped make VISIONS
into the dynamic organization
that we are today. With your
ongoing support, we look
forward to many more years of
making a difference in the
lives of people with vision loss.
Enjoy this holiday season
knowing that you to have made
a difference through your
support.
On behalf of everyone
associated with VISIONS, thank
you! To our family, friends,
colleagues, Board of Directors.
Advisory Boards, and donors,
thank you for sharing the
dream we have to enable each
person to achieve his or her
full potential. Thank you for
enabling us to reach for the
highest expectations so that
the people we serve who are
blind can succeed … at home,
at school, at their workplace
and in the community. There is
no question that despite
whatever obstacles we face –
severe vision loss, enormous
damage to VCB from the
Halloween snow storm, the
damaging effects of the slow
economic recovery or the hurt
of the negative stereotypes of
people with disabilities – we
are thankful that you give us
the tools and resources we
need to enable participants to
overcome barriers and build an
environment where the
hurdles can be overcome.
Our participants also express
their thanks – to everyone who
helps them achieve their full
potential. In this newsletter you
will learn about the incredible
journeys of our participants,
the contributions of our
volunteers, advisory boards,
Board of Directors, staff and
supporters. We are so proud of
the community we built
President, Board of Directors – Nancy T. Jones
Vice President, Board of Directors – Richard P. Simon
Treasurer, Board of Directors – Burton M. Strauss, Jr.
Secretary, Board of Directors – Carol Spawn Desmond
Executive Director/CEO – Nancy D. Miller
Editor, Director of Development and Outreach – Rick Schwartz
Newsletter Design and Layout,
Assistant Director of Development – Kaitlin Nelson
From the Desk of the Executive Director
Nancy D. Miller
Executive Director/CEO
In This Issue:
Hold Tight...Help Is on The Way Page 1
New Innovative Senior Center Page 3
VISIONS at Selis Manor Page 4
Request For Your Support Page 5/6
Participant Feedback Page 7
VISIONS Community News Page 8/9
VISIONS Center on Blindness (VCB) Page 10
Staff/Board News/In The News Page 10
Our Gratitude To Page 11
Executive Director’s Message Page 2
It’s a Date Page 11
Hold Tight...Cover story continued Page 3
VISIONS Insights
A Publication of VISIONS/Services
for the Blind and Visually Impaired

3. 3
At VCB, I went to every session with him to
observe what the teachers were doing so I
could educate myself and care for him. Most
importantly, I did not trust anyone alone with
him. I was blown away with how warm, caring
and loving all the staff were with Emmanuel
and the other kids. I gained the confidence to
leave him and attend support groups with other
parents knowing he was in good hands. I
realized his independence is important and that
it is possible to achieve with the support from
VCB and other VISIONS services.
I was able to network
with other parents about
the services available,
a n d r e c e i v e d
p s y c h ol o g ic a l a n d
emotional support. My
shoulders literally
dropped when I heard a
single dad with three
girls giving his story. I
was crying, “Audrey…you
are a single mom with one. You can do this!”
After we left VCB, VISIONS followed up with
services in the home which assisted Emmanuel
to achieve daily living skills, and for me to get
the support I needed. Today he does many
things for himself.
We returned to VCB this year excited and
more prepared to take advantage of all VCB has
to offer. Emmanuel was able to begin to
maneuver himself around the campus with
confidence by utilizing the Braille signs in front
of each building. The mobility specialist
changed the tip of his cane, which made a
tremendous difference toward improving his
mobility. With just three lessons from Khaled
Musa and his Braillenote, my son is now
creating documents on his own.
I like VISIONS holistic approach. They bring
together families with vision problems from all
walks of life who have similar yet very different
circumstances; Parents who are stressed out
and in dire need of help to unwind, refresh,
and face the challenges ahead. Thank you VCB.
All I can say to other parents is, “Hold tight…
help is on the way.”
Hold Tight...
(continued from pg. 1)
New Innovative Center for Visually
Impaired Older New Yorkers
“This is a wonderful idea. It’s definitely
needed.” This typical comment from one
VISIONS participant summed up the exciting
news that VISIONS will open the first senior
center organized specifically to accommodate
the needs of blind and
seve rely visually
impaired older adults
beginning January 3,
2012. The VISIONS at
Selis Manor Senior
Center represents the
culmination of a two-
year process to be
selected as a center for
unique populations who
do not benefit from
more traditional senior
centers.
“This is a citywide program,” said Betsy
Fabricant, Senior Administrator of VISIONS who
has been supervising the development of the
new innovative center. “It will provide a
pioneering approach to the delivery of services
for older adults who are blind or severely
visually impaired.”
In addition to a hot dinner meal served
Monday through Friday from 3:30 pm through
5:00 pm, services will focus on benefits
applications, health and
wellness programs, group
a c t i v i t i e s , a n d
information available in
accessible fo rmat.
Services include a newly
equipped lab with
“talking” computers,
fitness center, library,
radio station, and
ceramics studio.
“I am definitely looking
forward to the new
center,” said Janet Seth,
a participant at a recent VISIONS Senior Speak
Out dinner. “I plan to use the fitness center a
lot more.”
If you have an idea for a new name for the
center email elee@visionsvcb.org.
VISIONS Senior Program
participant with
Intergenerational
Volunteer
VISIONS Senior
Program participant
and Intergenerational
Volunteer during a
museum visit
Emmanuel and his mom
with a counselor on the
lake at VCB

4. 4
VISIONS at Selis Manor Happenings
This fall marked the beginning of a new relationship
between VISIONS and GlamourGals, two nonprofits
aiming to prevent isolation of seniors and address
leadership needs of teens. GlamourGals inspires
teens to provide companionship and makeovers.
Nineteen blind seniors received manicures, skin care
and a revitalized sense of self from five Hunter
College youth volunteers and eight GlamourGals
Board Members. The students were energized by this group of seniors and committed to return.
GlamourGals
In June, the 6th
Annual After School Program
celebrated another highly successful year with
12 blind students graduating. As part of the
festivities, the youth’s poetry from workshops
sponsored by the Teachers and Writers
Collaborative was read to the attendees.
After School
participants and
VISIONS and
Teachers and
Writers
Over the summer, 94 blind high school and
college students were placed throughout the
five boroughs in nonprofit and for profit sector
positions through VISIONS Work Experience
Training Program. The tasks ranged from
maintenance and clerical to direct services.
The program culminated with a graduation on August 19, 2011. The event was attended by NYS
Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped staff and supervisors from hosting organizations.
On the evening, November 10th
, VISIONS hosted a family session for parents of visually impaired
children and youth. Over 20 families attended the workshop, where Andrew S. Fisher, Executive
Director of the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Dawn Turco, Senior Vice President at the Hadley School
for the Blind, and Beatrice Jacinto, American Foundation for the Blind, each spoke about the
resources available to families. Representatives from the NYS CBVH answered questions about
state-sponsored vocational rehabilitation services.
Goldman Sachs Volunteers
On July 8th the Department of Workforce Development at VISIONS hosted ten volunteers from
Goldman Sachs Community Team Works program. Volunteers participated in mock interviews for
work ready participants and provided valuable strategies on how to increase their success in the job
market. The volunteers dispensed career guidance to 90 blind high school and college age young
adults participating in the summer youth program. VISIONS would like to express its gratitude to the
Goldman Sachs volunteers for their time and expertise and to team leader Jonathan Fine.
Eileen K. and
Debbie Z. show
off their new
manicures with
GlamourGals
Volunteer
(center)
Are you, someone you know, or an organization you’re involved with interested in volunteering or community giving?
Contact Natasha DeLeon (646) 486-4444 ext. 13
VISIONS Youth Services
Youth Employment
Coordinator, Gianina
Venturo, with Aida Ruiz,
Intern Supervisor, and
Theodore Hackett (l to r).
Parent Workshop
Are YOU interested in hosting an intern? Contact Gianina Venturo
call (646) 486-4444 ext. 24 or gventuro@visionsvcb.org

5. 5
A Time To Celebrate
For VISIONS, it has indeed been a year of celebrations. In October 2011, Mayor Bloomberg
announced the selection of VISIONS to operate the first center for blind seniors, a “Cornerstone of
the City’s Age Friendly NYC Initiative.” On January 3, 2012, VISIONS will launch the opening of the
VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center.
The VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center will:
• Feature a daily hot dinner meal for 150 participants to combat food insecurity
• Offer health and wellness activities, information and support to reduce social isolation
• Include blind and sighted youth to add an intergenerational component.
VISIONS needs your assistance to help maintain the free services that we
provide primarily for low-income blind people of all ages. We need you to help
close the funding gap so we are there for the people who need us most.
___________________________________________Pleasecuthere_____________________________________________
Please accept our thanks for all of your
assistance, whether monetary, volunteer,
or a warm wish to the many people who
benefits from VISIONS services.
We hope the coming year will bring
you all that you wish for.
But there are still challenges ahead:
•Nearly 350,000 people in New York State
reported being blind on a federal survey,
with half living in New York City.
•Over 30% of blind people live in poverty and
the unemployment rate is a staggering 70%.
•The number of blind people continues to
grow with the aging of the “baby boomers.”
•More low birth weight babies survive with
multiple disabilities.
VISIONS has more good news from 2011:
•Celebrated our 85th
anniversary
•Won national recognition for the
intergenerational volunteer program as a
program of distinction
•Served a 20% increase in registered clients
•Increased by 33% the number of blind
children and their families that were
served.
•Supported over 700 caregivers.

6. 6
$2,500 buys 500 meals for blind seniors who attend the VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center
$1,000 pays for a blind multi-disabled child to work with a certified vision rehabilitation therapist (CVRT) and
certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) at VCB.
$500 pays for lessons from a blind computer instructor to teach a blind person how to use a “talking”
computer and prepare for a job or stay connected to family and friends.
$250 pays for lessons from a CVRT and adaptive equipment for safe cooking or for mobility lessons from a
COMS using a prescribed long cane to safely navigate around the neighborhood and NYC.
$100 pays for Braille, photography and arts supplies and audiotapes for classes at VISIONS at Selis Manor.
Yes, I want to help with my contribution of:
□ $2500 □ $1000 □ $500 □ $250 □ $100 □ Other
My Contribution is made for: □ Graduation □ Birthday □ Anniversary □ Memorial □ Other (Please specify)
Name of Person to be Honored:____________________________________________________________
Send Card To:__________________________________________________________________________
□ Pay Online at www.visionsvcb.org □ Check enclosed OR □ Please charge to my credit card:
Card Type: ___________ Expiration Date:
Card Number: Security ID #: _____
Signature:
Name:
Address:
Mail to: VISIONS, 500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10013-1354
A copy of our most recent financial statement is available by writing to VISIONS,
or NYS Dept of Law-Charities Bureau, 3rd Floor, 120 Broadway, NY, NY 10271.
Contributions to VISIONS are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
VISIONS/Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired meets all of the BBB Wise Giving Standards and is
an accredited charity and member of the BBB seal program for Charity Accountability.
YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO VISIONS SUPPORTS FREE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT NYC
VISIONS at Selis Manor Senior Center
Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
Orientation and Mobility (O&M)
Workforce Development and Training
VISIONS Center on Blindness VCB
Blindline® Information and Referral Center
Caregiver Support Project
Intergenerational Volunteer Program
Multilingual Public Education and Outreach
In our effort to help make the world a greener place, we would like to send you our future newsletters, appeals and other
information about VISIONS by email as either a PDF or MS Word file. If you are interested, please fill out the following
information and return it to us with the enclosed envelope or email knelson@visionsvcb.org:
Name:____________________________________________________________________________________
Email Address:_____________________________________________________________________________

7. 7
Dear Ms. Miller,
When one calls VISIONS and hears Laverne’s
lovely voice, it is apparent that she is an
intelligent, kind and caring person. Laverne
(Tucker, Switch Board Operator) does not just
receive and pass on messages. She is a problem
solver. She listens, analyzes, and considers all
options. Her efforts provide many positive
results.
I feel qualified as a person who has a long
history as a manager and vice president of
m a n a g e m e n t t o
comment on her value
as an employee and
person.
Thank you for your
kind attention to my
words.
Sincerely,
Marion S.
Dear Nancy Miller,
I wish to express my appreciation for the
wonderful assistance your organization’s people
have given me. My mobility and outlook on life
has been greatly improved.
The young men and young woman have been
very helpful, kind, and considerate. They have
made it possible for me to go to stores and
other places which otherwise would be
inaccessible to me. They have read to me
many things which I would not have been able
to read otherwise.
My life has become more rewarding. It would
be very difficult to name everyone who has
helped me. I must however mention Carrie
(Lewy, Senior Center Director). She has been
helpful, efficient and pleasant in all my
contacts with her in making arrangements.
Again, Thank you very much for this service.
Sincerely yours,
Olga W.
No one tells the VISIONS story better than our participants.
Below are some of the letters we regularly receive.
They inspire us and put smiles on our faces.
We hope they do the same for you.
Do you know...
God Bless You. This Note is to Ms. Teddy (Kern, Occupational Therapist), the most caring, loving
person I have ever met. She is special to disabled seniors, the lonely, the sick. Ms. Teddy you are
the reason I keep going on. You gave and showed me love and hope.
Yours Truly, Mother Alma W.
Someone who is blind or severely
visually impaired and having
trouble doing tasks in their day-to-
day life?
VISIONS provides free services for
people who are blind or severely visually
impaired including: individualized
rehabilitation training at home, mobility
in the community, social services,
employment training and job placement,
caregiver supports and group activities.
Contact Carmen Rivera at (212) 625-
1616 x 134 or crivera@visionsvcb.org
for information or to make a referral.
All services are completely confidential.
An organization or group that
would benefit from learning about
VISIONS services?
VISIONS Outreach Department
provides presentations on eye disease
and blindness prevention to service
providers and other interested groups.
An individual who would be
interested in being a VISIONS
advisory board member?
C o n t a c t R i c k S c h w a r t z :
(212) 625-1616 x 128 or email:
rschwartz@visionsvcb.org to schedule a
presentation or become an advisory
board member.

8. 8
VISIONS Community News
Queens Wine Tasting
“Soothe The Senses”
Celebrating 85 Years of Service
Over 40 VISIONS supporters gathered at London Lennie’s November 29, 2011 to benefit VISIONS free
services in the borough of Queens. Thank you to London Lennie’s Leslie Barnes for donating the
event space and Fred Viana, Double A Concrete, for the donation of wine.
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (left) was among those honored at VISIONS
Manhattan Advisory Board’s “Soothe The Senses” Wine and Jazz Event September 27.
Proceeds benefited VISIONS free services in Manhattan. Elwanda Young (United Way),
Giorgio DeLuca (Giorgione), Gilliane Isabelle (VALIC), Marco Valente (Dans Le Noir), and
Joyce Carrico (Selis Manor Tenants Association) were also honored for their dedication
to blind and visually impaired individuals in the borough of
Manhattan. Jazz music was provided by the Houston Person Quartet.
VISIONS Lions Family Day took place August 7,
2011 to celebrate VISIONS and VCB’s 85 years
of service. Attendees included Lions Clubs,
elected officials, members of VISIONS Board of
Directors, participants, volunteers, and other
community members. Special activities
included a DJ, parade, carnival, and BBQ
lunch. VISIONS supporters, long time VISIONS
staff and participants who have been attending
VCB for 25+ and 50+ years were honored at the
event. VISIONS President Nancy T. Jones
presented awards to Board members Carol
Spawn Desmond, Mannie Corman, Harriet K.
Strauss, Burton M. Strauss J. and Angelo
Purcigliotti.
VISIONS Caregiver Services
The caregiver program works with VISIONS
rehabilitation department to provide services for
caregivers and recipients. Diana Cruz, the
Caregiver Services Case Manager has worked closely
with Carmen Robinson, a caregiver for her husband,
Antonio Robinson. Mr. Robinson, who is legally blind
was unable to walk independently and safely. The
program equipped Mr. Robinson with a rollator
walker and provided the assistance of the
rehabilitation department’s, Jenny Santiago
(CVRT/COMS), on how to use it safely. “I am grate-
ful for the guidance and assistance they have pro-
vided me to better deal with my situation. My hus-
band and I are most appreciative for their help,”
said Mrs. Robinson.
The caregiver program
o f f e r s u p - t o - d a t e
i n f o r m a t i o n a n d
interactive workshops for
caregivers every second
Friday of the month
including workshops from
the Visiting Nurse Service,
information on medical
equipment and art therapy
techniques. Contact Diana
Cruz for more information
(212) 625-1616 ext. 149 or
dcruz@visionsvcb.org.
Jenny Santiago
and Diana Cruz
with the Robinsons
Photo courtesy
of Jennifer Goldman
Photos courtesy of Tom Ryan

9. 9
Over the summer, VISIONS/VCB conducted
the first ever “Rehabilitation Toward
Independence” Sessions for Orthodox Jewish
Children. Seventeen blind children and 89
family members took part in rehabilitation
services and parent training that
accommodated the religious, cultural and
dietary requirements of this population.
VISIONS consulted with Rabbis, Talmudic
authorities and Jewish organizations in
Brooklyn, Rockland and Orange Counties.
Parents commented on how “wonderfully
accommodating” the staff was as a result.
Participants gained new skills and made new
friends with both
sighted and legally blind
c h i l d r e n . T h e
opportunity for the
children and their
families to work with
visually impaired peers
was a very positive
experience. One of the
participants wrote to
VISIONS after the
session sharing that she
“learned a lot about
brushing teeth and
brushing hair” and “had
a good time dancing”
w i t h t h e o t h e r
participants. Parents of
the participants were exposed to new ideas on
dealing with issues faced by their blind
children. Many parents appreciated the
opportunity to share common experiences with
other parents in a culturally sensitive setting.
One parent shared that her son’s “favorite part
was the new friends he made” and how
important it was for him to “socialize with
children who are at his same level.”
These unique weekend sessions were made
possible with support from the Readers Digest
Partners for Sight Foundation, the NYS
Commission for Blind and Visually Handicapped,
and private contributions.
VISIONS Center on Blindness
Throughout the year
Lions Clubs like the
New York Japanese
American Lions Club
(above right), the
Somers Lions Club
and the St. Albans
Lions Club (below
right) work to keep
VCB safe and free of
physical problems.
Leos volunteer at
VISIONS at Selis
Manor. One group
adopted and worked
to clean the
computer lab and
other spaces.
On September 23, 2011,
6 6 v o l u n t e e r s
participated in the
United Way of Rockland
County Day of Caring at
VISIONS Center on
Blindness (VCB). Keeping
up with the maintenance
of VCB’s facilities and
grounds is a daunting
undertaking for our
maintenance staff.
There is always too
much work and not
enough time. With the
help of the skilled and
enthusiastic volunteers
from Dominican College,
M&T Bank, Nice-Pak,
Palisades Credit Union
and Provident Bank,
wonderful projects have
been completed ahead
of schedule in the 35
acre campus.
Kosher Weekends
Participant reading
Braille during evening
activities
United Way Day of Caring
Lions Clubs Work Days

10. 10
VISIONS welcomes the following new staff
members:
Full time: Lakisha N. Coburn, VCB Administra-
tive Assistant
Part-time: Jeffrey Guillaume, Men’s Fitness
Instruction; Interns: Victoria Hopkins,
Columbia Social Work Intern; Marva Mariner,
Columbia Social Work Intern; Francisco Rivera,
WET/ Development Intern
VISIONS congratulates the following staff
members on their new positions:
Michael Cush, Director of Workforce
Development/Adult; Dawn Suvino, Director of
Workforce Development/Youth; Carrie Lewy,
Senior Center Director; Carmen Rivera, Intake
Manager/Outreach Specialist; Khaled Musa, VCB
Assistant Director/Program
Staff News
Forty four
dog owners
and their
dogs joined
the Brooklyn
C a n a r s i e
Lions for
D o g g i e
Olympics VII
on Saturday,
S e p t em b e r
2 6 t h a t
Marine Park. The Canarsie-based service club
raised funds for VCB and for Canarsie public
schools.
Board News
In The News
VISIONS at Selis Manor hosted the
National Association of Social
Worker (NASW) Gerontological
Committee Meeting in November
w i t h N e w Y o r k S t a t e
Assemblymember Joan Millman
(above right) and the New York
City Gray Panthers Executive
Director Judy Lear (below right),
and met with Nancy D. Miller.
VISIONS looks forward to future
successful events with these and other organizations.
On June 22, Mannie Corman, a member of the
VISIONS Board of Directors and the VISIONS
Brooklyn Advisory Board and Joe Corace, Chair of the
VISIONS Brooklyn Advisory Board, were honored as
"Outstanding Seniors in Service" by the Brooklyn-Wide
Interagency Council on Aging.
VISIONS participants Matthew Turner and Nooria
Nodrat completed this year’s NYC Marathon with
guides from the Achilles Foundation and are
“grateful for the opportunity to do something
that otherwise seemed impossible.” It was their
third and ninth marathons respectively. Each
described the experience as “great” and would
recommend it to others. Nooria who ran to
raise money for her foundation for blind women
in Afghanistan shared that she likes marathons
because it's a physical as well as mental
challenge.
VISIONS staff member Khaled Musa
with members of the Canarsie Lions
Club and the Doggie Olympics
participants
(l to r) Jackie Kennedy-
Saddler, Beth Abraham
Health Services and
member of the VISIONS
Brooklyn Advisory
Board; Joe Corace;
Nancy D. Miller,
Executive Director/CEO
of VISIONS
VISIONS thanks all our Board, Advisory Council and
Advisory Board Members.
VISIONS welcomes Lois Wagh Aronstein to the
VISIONS Board of Directors. VISIONS acknowledges
the appointment of Carol Spawn Desmond as the
new Board secretary and the distinguished service
of Howard Neuman upon his resignation.
Welcome to the following Advisory Board
Members:
Bronx: Gianna Dell'Olio, The FORT Group; Erious
Johnson, Esquire; Faiz Kareem, CCM
Brooklyn: Roscoe Lawrence, TD Bank; Merriette
Pollard, MA, ABD, Medgar Evers College
Queens: Anthony R. Orega, Aflac; Jon Postyn,
Financial Advisory, John Hancock
VISIONS congratulates Mandy Gheorghe on being
honored as a Galaxy Award recipient at the New
York Women’s Agenda Annual Star Breakfast.

11. 11
CondolencesIt’s a Date!
Our Gratitude To...
All American Engraving
in Congers
Blauvelt Lions Club
Brooklyn Alpha Lions
Club
Brooklyn Kings County
Lions Club
Bubba’s Bagels
David Patterson Band
DJ Gi Gi
Dominican College Girls
Softball Team
Kenneth N. Friddle
GED Plus Program
Jennifer Goldman
Maria Hansen
Highbridge Lions Club
Joyce Jacobson
Les Copains U.S.A.
Rabbi Zvi Lowy
M&T Bank
Mahopac Lions Club
Nancy D. Miller
New York Hospital of
Queens
Nike-Pak
NY Phil-Am Lions Club
Palisades Credit Union
Provident Bank
Publishers Weekly
Rising Stars Lions Club
Christopher Roberts
Rockland Bakery
Tom Ryan
Gloria Scudera
Sephora
Neha Shastri
Spring Hill Ambulance
Spring Valley Fire
Department
Spring Valley Police
Department
St. Francis College Leos
Club
Patrick Turner
United Way of Rockland
County
Valhalla Lions Club
Kitty Vangunten
Vis-Ability INC, Michael
Parker
Woodside Inter-
american Lions Club
Chris Zimnowski
VISIONS would like to thank the following
friends for providing funding of $10,000 or
more:
Allene Reuss Memorial Trust
Caremark RX Inc
New York Community Trust
Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Inc.
Readers Digest Partners for Sight Foundation
$2,500 or more donors:
Susan M. Berson
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Christina H. Eisenbeis
Fund for the City of New York
Gifts From My Father/Mother Inc.
Nancy T. Jones
Lions Club of Carmel-Kent, Inc.
Lions Club of Flushing
Lions Club of Somers
Nancy D. Miller
New York Japanese-American Lions Club
NY Hospital Medical Center of Queens
Laura B. Vogler Foundation
United Way of New York City
We also thank the following for their donation of goods and services:
N o r m a E v e r s l e y
(pictured at right) of
McGraw Hill Writers to
the Rescue presented
Nancy Miller with a
check from Writers to
the Rescue to cover publication costs of
VISIONS 2010 Annual report.
Financial Coaching Corps
Every Friday from 11-3 at VISIONS at Selis Manor, in
collaboration with the Community Service Society,
VISIONS offers free one-on-one counseling and financial
coaching to VISIONS participants. Coaching includes
developing debt reduction plans, creating a budget
and how to open a bank account. Contact Natasha
DeLeon at (646) 486-4444 ext. 13 or
ndeleon@visionsvcb.org for more information.
Writers to the Rescue
Bronx Luncheon…… ...….…...……….March 9, 2012
Brooklyn Luncheon …..…….…….........April 2012
Queens Luncheon…………….….…….…..May 8, 2012
Golf Outing at Fairview Country Club with
special guest Tommy John ……...May 22, 2012
Call VSIONS for more information(212) 625-1616
Mathew Sapolin (right), Comissioner
of The Mayor’s Office for People
With Disabilities passed away
November 30, 2011. VISIONS sends
condolences to his family. His
enthusiasm and disability advocacy
efforts will be missed.

12. 12
VISIONS Main Office:
By Phone: (212) 625-1616 or (888) 245-8333
By Mail: 500 Greenwich Street, 3rd Floor
New York, New York 10013-1354
By Email: Info@visionsvcb.org
By Fax: (212) 219-4078
VISIONS at Selis Manor:
By Telephone: (646) 486-4444
By Mail: 135 West 23rd Street
New York, New York 10011
Email: selisdirector@visionsvcb.org
VISIONS Senior Center: (212) 625-1616 x 155
Blindline®:
(212) 625-3301 or (888) 625-1616
www.blindline.org
How to Reach Us
VISIONS services are partially funded by the New York State
Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped and the
NYC Department for the Aging; support from the Borough
Presidents of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens;
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and
Councilmembers Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Margaret Chin,
Leroy G. Comrie, Inez E. Dickens, Honorable Daniel R.
Garodnick, Peter Koo, Annabel Palma, Eric Ulrich, Mark
Weprin, Melissa Mark Viverito, Jumaane Williams. 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, the NY Citizens Committee on
Aging, the New York Women’s Agenda, and VisionServe
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, NY, NY 10271, or on-line at
www.guidestar.org.
About VISIONS
VISIONS/ServicesfortheBlindandVisuallyImpaired
500GreenwichStreet,3rdFloor
NewYork,NY10013-1354
DuringthisEconomicCrisis,wecountonyoursupportsowecanserveblindpeopleinneed.
OurAppealisenclosed.Pleasebeasgenerousasyoucan.
Thankyou.
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 do-
nor 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.