With hundreds of
blind and visually impaired clients to serve, things
were getting a little cramped at our previous
location in the Kirby Health center Annex in
Wilkes-Barre. Our new facility at 1825 Wyoming
Avenue in Exeter is more
centrally located within the Association's service
area of Luzerne
and Wyoming Counties with sufficient space to provide
all programs under
one roof, making
operations more efficient. Included in the new
6,090 square foot building is a
kitchen-classroom where our rehabilitation therapist can teach domestic
independent living skills; a
technical training lab to help blind and visually
impaired individuals become better prepared for
competitive employment; a vision resource center for
helping people with severe sight loss receive the
appropriate adaptive aids and optical devices to
live more independently; and a large multi-purpose
room for conducting life skills education classes
and social activities accommodating up to 70 people.
In July, the Association embarked on an ambitious
$1.5 million capital campaign to finance this
project. Connie Scott,
Past President of the Board of Directors states:
"Although the 'Love Is Blind' campaign is a
major undertaking, we felt that it was something
that had to be done, not only to increase our visibility and
to more adequately serve the blind and visually
impaired in our community, but to prepare for
increased demands for our services in the future".
A Message from our "Love Is Blind" Capital Campaign Co-Chairs
You can feel the
excitement of hope. It is our plan, indeed our
dream, that in this new
facility
both the physical and psychological impediments will
be removed. And the blind will be empowered to
live their lives with vigor and fulfillment.
The "Love Is Blind" campaign is not about bricks and
mortar, it is about freedom and security for our
blind and visually impaired friends. This new
center will be the only specialized facility in our
region where every aspect has been designed to aid
the blind. We are very pleased to tell you
that we have raised just over $1 Million to date.
As we now publicly reach out to the community, we
ask you to consider making a gift to the campaign.
All gifts, no matter the amount, are most welcome
and gratefully appreciated. If you believe in
the good of people to make a difference in the lives
of those less fortunate, strongly consider your role
in the "Love Is Blind" Capital Campaign.
Please make a difference by contacting the
Association for the Blind at 570-693-3555, or at
info@wilkesbarreblind.com.
-- Marion Pollock & Shirley
Fortinsky
Naming Opportunities Available
Naming of Building
$500,000 (SOLD) > Multi-Purpose Community Room -
$250,000 > Independent Living Training (Kitchen) -
$100,000 (SOLD) > Vocational Training -
$75,000 > Reception Area - $75,000
> Elevator - $50,000 (SOLD) >
Access Technology Training > $50,000
> Vestibule Main Entrance - $25,000 >
1st Floor Lobby - $25,000 > 2nd Floor
Lobby - $25,000 > 2nd Floor Conference
Room - $25,000 > Talking Book Lending
Library - $25,000 > Executive Director's
Office - $25,000 > Vestibule, Side
Entrance - $15,000 > Director of
Services Office - $15,000 (SOLD) >
Vision Screening/Prevention Office - $15,000 (SOLD)
> Administrative Assistant's Office - $10,000
(SOLD) > Social Services Office - $10,000 (SOLD) >
Development/Public Relations Office - $10,000 (SOLD)
> Furnishings per Room or Office - $5,000
(each)
one roof, making
operations more efficient. Included in the new
6,090 square foot building is a
kitchen-classroom where our rehabilitation therapist can teach domestic
independent living skills; a
technical training lab to help blind and visually
impaired individuals become better prepared for
competitive employment; a vision resource center for
helping people with severe sight loss receive the
appropriate adaptive aids and optical devices to
live more independently; and a large multi-purpose
room for conducting life skills education classes
and social activities accommodating up to 70 people.
In July, the Association embarked on an ambitious
$1.5 million capital campaign to finance this
project. Connie Scott,
Past President of the Board of Directors states:
"Although the 'Love Is Blind' campaign is a
major undertaking, we felt that it was something
that had to be done, not only to increase our visibility and
to more adequately serve the blind and visually
impaired in our community, but to prepare for
increased demands for our services in the future".
facility
both the physical and psychological impediments will
be removed. And the blind will be empowered to
live their lives with vigor and fulfillment.
The "Love Is Blind" campaign is not about bricks and
mortar, it is about freedom and security for our
blind and visually impaired friends. This new
center will be the only specialized facility in our
region where every aspect has been designed to aid
the blind. We are very pleased to tell you
that we have raised just over $1 Million to date.
As we now publicly reach out to the community, we
ask you to consider making a gift to the campaign.
All gifts, no matter the amount, are most welcome
and gratefully appreciated. If you believe in
the good of people to make a difference in the lives
of those less fortunate, strongly consider your role
in the "Love Is Blind" Capital Campaign.
Please make a difference by contacting the
Association for the Blind at 570-693-3555, or at