How we are serving young children within our home communities
Kindergarten-8th Grade, with three regional special education classrooms
Worth the Wait
“Hi, Sweetheart!” says lauren, the school nurse. “I like your headband!” Sitting together at the table, Lauren administers a quick test to determine Diamond’s color and depth perception while still managing to keep a close eye on those waiting in line.
With nearly 60 kids – including some from nearby Arlington Elementary School – scheduled to participate in the Mission Vision clinic, Lauren knows it’s going to be a busy day.
With such a high demand for its services, Mission Vision has to be as efficient as possible.
Lauren knows how important it is to get as many students screened as possible. “Having trouble seeing surely impacts their class work and can cause headaches for the students as well,” Lauren says.
A sight for sore eyes
For 7th graders Al-Ahaid and Kimberly, seeing the board hasn’t been easy. “I have to sit in front,” Al-Ahaid says. “I have to stand up,” Kimberly says. With new prescription glasses on the way, thanks to the Mission Vision Clinic, they’re not going to miss a thing now!
Helping the kids and seeing the positive impact in their lives and the difference Mission Vision can make, keeps us doing what we do year after year.
Kindergarten – 8th Grade
Jasara sure loves science. In fact, one of her proudest accomplishments was making a volcano, complete with a baking soda-fueled eruption, for her 1st grade class. But sometimes, she admits, she would have trouble keeping up with her studies because she just couldn’t see what her teacher was writing on the board.
After picking out her very own pair of glasses, Jasara sees no obstacles in front of her. We hope she continues making volcanoes and being inspired by science.
Sitting patiently and quietly is not something most grade schoolers are known for.
Tony, Khy Mere, and Erieonna are no exception to that rule. But one thing is clear. Friends make waiting to see the eye doctor a little more fun!
In 2017-2018, alone, the Mobile Eye Clinic screened over 1,700 kids under the age of 18. The vast majority of those kid received custom prescription glasses.
This 8-week camp includes daily lessons in math, literacy and Christian education, as well as field trips and other activities for students entering 1st – 8th grade in Fall 2018.
“We do this because we have a love for Jesus,” Mission Vision’s Executive Director Terry Snider tells Ta’bryh as he conducts a preliminary eye test. And we’re trying to share that love.”
That’s definitely something the 8 year old can relate to. Enjoying her second year at Urban Impact, Ta’Bryh is quick to point out that one of her favorite things is that the counselors “teach us about Jesus.”
“It’s an awesome Summer camp!”
~Ta’Bryh, Urban Impact
It’s not that Urban Impact’s Summer camp isn’t fun. It surely is! The 50-plus kids enrolled play games, participate in sports, go swimming, put on plays, sing, dance, and set out on awesome field trips.
But there’s a serious side, too.
To that end, the camp provides academic programming that helps students prepare for the next school year. “Structure,” says Kristen, “and living by example,” are the hallmarks of all staff members. “We’re a community that loves Jesus,” she asserts.
A community medical practice providing spiritual and physical healthcare to all people. Annually, some 5,000 people seek care at the center.
North Side Christian Health Center
Meet & Greet
When their paths crossed at the Mission Vision clinic, it seemed like a random twist of fate, but perhaps it was divine intervention that brought them together.
Cynthia has been coming to the Northside Christian Health Center for the past 11 years, maybe even longer. “I resigned from my job when my mother and father got sick,” she says, “so I lost my health insurance.” and lately, she’s been having trouble seeing with her old glasses. The Mission Vision clinic was like “a prayer answered”, she says.
Alex, a junior at Marymount University, has volunteered with Mission Vision before. “two summers ago,” he says, “I took glasses to Florida and shared the Gospel. It was really cool to see God working there.”
Alex helped with the set up for this North Side clinic and has been talking and praying with people throughout the day. That’s Something Cynthia can relate to. “I do a lot of ministry work at the Allegheny County Jail,” she says. “there are so many young people there, it hurts my heart. But if you have Jesus, you’re free.”
North Side Christian Health Center
Estranged, but Not Strangers
Yes, James and Victoria are divorced. In fact they’ve been separated for 25 years now. But as Victoria is quick to point out, “we’ve got a family.” That family includes five daughters, 35 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren (with two more great grandkids are on the way).
So, it’s not surprising that when Victoria heard about the Mission Vision clinic, she immediately called James for a ride. And James was happy to oblige. After all, he says, “we’re still friends.”
Along the way, they’ve picked up their daughter, Ebony. The three arrived at the clinic ready to see the world in a different light.
It’s not unusual for bands to play at the north side’s Stage AE, but on this day it’s the audience that’s the headliner.
Some 60 health and community service providers set up booths to offer assistance to homeless and at-risk veterans. In addition to enjoying a hot breakfast and lunch, veterans were encouraged to seek out support on issues ranging from employment and education to substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. Mission Vision was quick to enlist in the cause. Jason, Mike, and Ray from the Sons of the American Legion Post 474 out of Zelienople, volunteered to man the table.
“we’re fitting them with reading glasses and then giving them a free pair,” Jason says.
According to the U.S. department of Housing and Urban Development, there are more than 39,000 homeless veterans. In Pennsylvania alone, that number is estimated to stand at 1,200.
Veteran’s Place of Washington Boulevard
Providing transitional housing for up to 48 veterans, as well as job, financial literacy and addiction-recovery assistance, computer-skills training and meals to veterans.
It’s the week before Thanksgiving, and the Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard is busy gathering all the ingredients necessary to prepare a feast. Set up amid the 50-pound bags of potatoes, onion and carrots is the Mission Vision clinic.
Although Jim, who served with the 5th Ranger Battalion from 1971-1981, will be spending the holiday with his family, he knows that, for many veterans, that’s not an option. “This place takes care of a lot of people,” he says. “It’s a Godsend.”
It’s in that spirit that Mission Vision reaches out to provide free eye exams and prescription glasses to those veterans who might otherwise go without.
When the Mission Vision mobile Clinic Van pulls up to a church, school, community center, shelter or any other Mission Vision partner organization, people know help has arrived.
Using our unique delivery model, we are able to cost-effectively provide and make sure that eye care and prescription eye wear go directly to the people with the most need. Collaborating closely with partner organizations, we identify those most in need and we are able to educate them on the importance in maintain good eye health.
All mobile clinics are staffed by dedicated and caring medical professionals, as well as trained staff members and volunteers. Upon arrival, patients are greeted by the clinic coordinator who then checks them in and reviews their medical history.
From there, an optometric technician screens them for distance and near visual acuity, eye motility, visual field, auto-refractions, pupil response, intraocular pressure, color vision and depth perception.
Next, a state licensed optometrist performs a thorough eye exam to determine whether or not prescription glasses are needed. If, however, during the course of the exam, any medical condition requiring further evaluation is detected, the optometrist will explain the situation and provide a referral.
With an impressive sampling of frames (donated brand new by major eyewear manufacturers) to choose from, patients make their selections with the help of an optician who also takes the necessary measurements to ensure a perfect fit. Two to three weeks later, the prescription glasses are first inspected and labeled by Mission Vision staff and then delivered back to the partner organizations.
|By the way, with each new pair of glasses, patients also receive this special message: