Fy-Eye October 2019 - Prevent Blindness Wisconsin

Founded in 1958, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin improves the lives of children, adults, and families through early detection of eye conditions to prevent blindness and preserve sight. On-going vision screening activities and state-wide public health education lead to a lifetime of healthy vision.

wisconsin.preventblindness.org

[email protected]

Support Prevent Blindness Wisconsin

Support Prevent Blindness Wisconsin throughout the year by holding an event in our honor at your work, school or church. Some ideas include:

– Jeans Day

– Dedicate your birthday

– Bake sale

– Designate your United Way contribution by using code 53904

Please contact Bridget at [email protected] for PBW marketing materials.

Celebrate World Sight Day with Prevent Blindness Wisconsin!

World Sight Day is an annual day of awareness held on Thursday, October 10, 2019 to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment.

Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is taking the World Sight Day challenge to raise awareness for eye care throughout Wisconsin and needs your help!

Join us and help provide healthy vision for school success and a lifetime:

– purchase Prevent Blindness Wisconsin t-shirt or tote bag (designed in collaboration with MIAD students)

– share your photos of your World Sight Day apparel by using the tag #SaveSightWI to raise awareness for vision health

– make a donation to our World Sight Day campaign

– share our World Sight Day page with your friends on social media

Gib’s Gives Back

Stop by Gib’s in Madison and try our featured drink “Sips for Sight!” Throughout the month of October, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin will be the recipient of Gib’s Community Cocktail. This delicious craft cocktail is a perfect fall drink with Cognac, gin, amaro, lemon, honey and allspice. Invite your friends, colleagues and family by sharing our Facebook event.

Join us for our kick-off night on World Sight Day, Thursday, October 10th from 5-7 pm.

Meet Carmen!

Carmen was vision screened at Casa Guadalupe Education Center Inc. back in January of this year. After not passing her vision screening, Carmen ran into a concern that is all too common among many adults, being able to afford vision care. Carmen used the VSP Mobile Eyes Voucher Program to receive an eye exam and a pair of glasses and had this to say, “I used to just get cheaters from the store to help me see. The glasses I have now make the world in front of me look brand new. I don’t have headaches anymore and I can actually see what’s around me. My entire demeanor has changed and I now feel confident driving.”

Welcome Dr. Amy Jankowski to the Board of Directors

Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is excited to welcome Amy Jankowski, OD to the Board of Directors!

Dr. Amy Jankowski earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Iowa State University in 1996, and her Doctorate Degree from Illinois College of Optometry in 2001, and then worked in corporate and private optometric practices from 2001-2003. Passionate about optometry as a profession, she first opened the doors of Metro Eye in 2003 with the mission to challenge conventional thinking in regard to achieving and maintaining optimal vision and ocular health for all members of the community.

Over the past 16 years, Dr. Jankowski has grown Metro Eye into a multi-specialty practice and continues to invest in relevant technology and staff training to deliver a level of service that exceeds the expectations of her patients. In addition to customizing and implementing local vision screening programs, for Penfield Children’s Center and Banner Prep High School, Dr. Jankowski continues to seek out innovative ways to support healthy vision throughout the Milwaukee area.

Dr. Amy Jankowski grew up in north central Iowa and currently lives in Fox Point with Mark, her husband of 22 years, as well as her 13 year old son Luca and 10 year old daughter Ella.

We Welcome You Back To The Ice!

Join us for the 39th Annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner on Monday, November 4 at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. We are excited to be back on the ice featuring the Milwaukee Admirals as our celebrity waiters.

Reserve your seat by Friday, October 18th!

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please visit our event website or contact Rebecca at [email protected] for more information.

Project Homeless Connect

In September, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin participated in United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County’s Project Homeless Connect—Waukesha. This was the first event out of the two-part series that provides outreach services to adults and families suffering from extreme poverty or homelessness in Milwaukee and Waukesha County. Prevent Blindness Wisconsin and certified Carroll University students provided adult vision screenings, vision health education, and aid with vision care appointments to ensure adults seek needed vision care and understand how to make appointments in the future. We were honored to be a part of this life-changing event to aid those in need in our communities.

The second Project Homeless Connect event will take place on Thursday, October 17 at the Marquette Alumni Memorial Union. If you are interested in volunteering with us at the event, please contact Courtney at [email protected].

Learn more about Project Homeless Connect in this Fox 6 News piece.

“I just want to thank you and your organization for helping me and other people with vision problems. I was so happy you were screening at Project Homeless Connect.”

Veterans Affairs Stand Down

It is that time of year for Prevent Blindness Wisconsin; the time to give back and serve those that have sacrificed so much for us. We had a wonderful time helping and assisting veterans at the Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center VA Stand Down. The VA Stand Downs are initiated as an effort to help veterans beat homelessness and addictive habits by giving them a ‘hand-up’ in life, rather than a ‘handout.’ Our team conducted adult vision screenings and vision health education at the event, screening 40 adults and referring 39 on to further care.

Thank you to the Zablocki VA for your hard work and dedication on this event and for having us. We would also like to thank all the veterans who attended the event, who have previously served, and those currently serving our country; to you are your families, we are forever grateful.

Students Support Sight-Saving Screenings

Thank you to Westosha High School for holding a Certified Children’s Vision Screener Training for 20 members of their Health Occupation Student Association. These students will help provide vision screenings to elementary school students within their district. “I am glad to have this program here in Westosha. Thanks for coming to provide this training and opportunity for our students” commented the principal. If you need help with vision screening and would like to train high school students, please contact Shelby at [email protected]. The 90 minute training is free to students.

Volunteers Eager to Save Sight

Community Volunteers are preparing for the 2019-2020 school year by attending our Children’s Vision Screener Trainings and making sure their vision screening kits are stocked and screening ready. At our Children’s Vision Screener Training for volunteers, six new volunteers have been certified and connected to a volunteer group. If you or someone you know may be interested in volunteering as a Certified Vision Screener this school year, please contact April at [email protected] to find out more.

Racine Unified Community Schools

Prevent Blindness Wisconsin attended the Open House Resource fair at Julian Thomas and Knapp Elementary schools in the Racine Unified School District (RUSD). It was an exciting night as Julian Thomas cut the ribbon on their first year as a community school. Both community schools offer additional programs and resources to support their students and families. We are excited to be a part of the community school team and help students get the glasses they need to learn and succeed in the classroom!

Look for us at community school events such as the upcoming Knapp Fall Carnival Community Night on October 10th. We will have some fun games so stop by and say hello!

Healthy Vision Help at HSAC Meetings

Prevent Blindness Wisconsin attended Acelero Head Start Racine’s Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) meeting. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about health data at Head Start, challenges parents face getting their children to access health care, and discuss options to overcome barriers. If you’d like to have Prevent Blindness Wisconsin involved with your HSAC, please contact Shelby at [email protected].

Wisconsin Lions Help Provide Sight-Saving Screenings

Thank you to Lions Clubs across the state for making an impact in their local communities by providing certified children’s vision screenings. The next step to a vision screening is following up on vision screening referrals to ensure children with vision problems can receive vision care and we need your help! Your Lions Club can start to help referred children get to the eye doctor by reviewing the Follow Up Resources on our website and by asking the schools how you can help in the process. If your club would like to learn more about how to help with the follow up process in your local community, contact Shelby at [email protected].

October is Contact Lens Safety Month

Are your eyes safe with your contacts? Protect your eyes and contact lenses. You only get one pair and no spares!

Join Our Team!

Racine County Vision Screening Coordinator

Looking to join our team? Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is hiring a part-time Racine County Vision Screening Coordinator to assist with children’s vision screening and results follow up. If you are interested in learning more view job description or email [email protected].

Development Intern

| Come learn with us | hands on experience | great resume builder!

We seek a motivated, detail-oriented, self-starter with an interest in non-profit fundraising who can fill an integral role in our Resource Development department.

Do you possess • Interest in the non-profit sector and transforming lives • Extensive computer skills • Detail-oriented and organized with strong written and verbal communication skills. • Punctuality and dependability • A curious mind to learn and a hearty sense of humor! Read the full intern description and how to apply!

Designate your United Way Gift to Prevent Blindness Wisconsin

Take the 20/20 Challenge!

Prevent Blindness Wisconsin makes the world a brighter place for children and adults across Wisconsin through our sight-saving vision health services. You can give the gift of healthy vision by joining the 20/20 Monthly Giving Challenge.

Celebrate the year 2020 – the year of healthy vision – by becoming a monthly donor to help Prevent Blindness Wisconsin achieve its vision for each Wisconsin resident to have healthy vision at every stage of life!

An investment of $20 per month provides one Certified Vision Screening for a child or adult, helping them take the first step on the path to healthy vision for life.

Will you accept our challenge to make a gift of $20 per month for 20 months and help 20 individuals improve their vision health?

Your support allows us to carry out our vision for each Wisconsin resident to have healthy vision at every stage of life.

Thank you!