by Carly Eden Stokes | May 9, 2021 | Blog, News
Dear Friend,
Kris Marino smiles into the camera.
March 17, 2020 marked the last day VLANJ met in person before New Jersey went into lockdown. We had no idea how long the COVID-19 crisis would last, only that we had to keep our community supported and together. I’d always wanted to offer programs online, and the pandemic became a catalyst. Within two weeks, we pivoted to virtual classes over Zoom.
Over the months, we added programs and enrollment tripled. We now have more students attending weekly than ever before. Virtual programming transcends one of the biggest obstacles people with vision loss face: a lack of transportation options. We continue to develop new programming and prepare for the time we can safely restart in-person gatherings.
As I look back on my 6 ½ years at the helm of this wonderful organization, I am proud of the strides we’ve made. I oversaw the nonprofit’s transition from NJ Foundation for the Blind to VLANJ in 2016, as we stabilized our finances and created more skills-based programming. We hosted nonprofit summits to find solutions to shared challenges. We added occupational therapy and negotiated with Medicare and private insurers to cover the services. And we launched the Technology Learning Lab, planting seeds for more employment-geared training in the future.
My decision to relocate was not an easy one. I am sad to be leaving people who are dear to me, who inspire me daily. I remember touring the nonprofit as part of Leadership Morris years ago. I was so impressed that I applied for the top job as soon as it opened.
I leave VLANJ on a high note, confident my successor will build on the foundation we created. The hardest thing is not getting to say goodbye in person. So here, I bid adieu to everyone in our VLANJ community, and wish you all good health and good fortune. Always remember, we’re the little engine that could.
Sincerely,
Kris Marino
VLANJ President and CEO
by Carly Eden Stokes | May 9, 2021 | Blog, News
It’s 2021 and over a year since New Jersey ordered the closure of businesses, including
nonprofits. Remember those first weeks of the pandemic? Frightening daily news accounts of mounting COVID-19 cases. Empty shelves and long lines at grocery stores. The Zoom learning curve. Fear of other people, yet a longing for human contact.
VLANJ students attend a virtual class.
Now imagine, if you will, what the pandemic has been like for people with vision loss, who
uniquely rely on touch and proximity to others to navigate and communicate. Public
transportation options cancelled. An inability to see 6 feet means you cannot maintain mandated
social distances, and rules are listed on signs you cannot read. You struggle to use online
shopping apps and virtual conferencing platforms that were not designed with vision impairment
in mind.
“A lot of our participants stayed home because they weren’t able to navigate the COVID-
pandemic world, and that heightened isolation. We looked for solutions that brought people
back together in a virtual environment,” said Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey Program
Director Elsa Zavoda.
In response to the closure order, VLANJ quickly pivoted to online wellness classes, skills
training, and enrichment opportunities for adults with vision loss. We started by offering classes
in using the Zoom video conferencing platform and how to access various shopping apps to help
people obtain necessities such as food and prescriptions. We then moved to classes that helped
participants stay connected, share advice, and give one another support. Transportation was no
longer a barrier to participation.
Through these efforts, VLANJ’s enrollment increased three-fold in 2020, as people from across
the state and beyond logged in or called in to a growing list of virtual programs. About 200
people signed up for at least one offering — and most for two or more — over the winter
session.
Delores ‘Dee’ Eliassen had only recently given up driving before the pandemic, so she was
grateful when VLANJ went virtual. Dee states “Why it has been wonderful! The changes and
isolation that came in the last year from COVID have been incredibly stressful. It’s wonderful
that virtual learning has allowed me to do more than I was ever able to in the program. Now I
participate daily. I exercise, do Yoga, have organized my kitchen for safety and easy cooking,
and even meditate. Of course, I miss friends and the staff, but the Zoom meetings bring everyone
together and without the stress of transportation – there is so much I can do.”
Through VLANJ’s pivot to virtual programming, individuals with vision loss have sought and
found a community of support, education, and skills development. What we have seen in their
efforts to address COVID restrictions was a tremendous resiliency and a flexibility to embrace
new strategies to achieve their goals.
by Carly Eden Stokes | May 4, 2021 | Blog, News, Press, Press Releases
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey welcomes William Schuldt, a seasoned nonprofit professional, as its new president and CEO!
William Schuldt, VLANJ’s New President and CEO, is smiling.
“Bill has solid management experience, and a passion for serving people with disabilities,” VLANJ Board of Trustees President Carl Augusto said. Schuldt’s selection by the VLANJ’s board of trustees culminated a nationwide search, Augusto noted. “We feel he’s a perfect fit to guide us toward growth and new heights of accomplishment.”
“I’m very excited to join VLANJ,” Schuldt said. “I’m very passionate about helping people with disabilities live their best life, and maximizing their independence.” Schuldt replaces Kris Marino, who led VLANJ for 6 ½ years.
Schuldt worked 33 years at Spectrum for Living, an organization serving more than 800 adults with developmental disabilities in New Jersey. He began his career working directly with clients, but moved into management positions over the years. He most recently served as vice president for operations.
“The connection with our clients is the most exciting thing to me. They feel like family,” the New Jersey native said. Schuldt said he was moved watching a recording of VLANJ’s 2020 virtual Dining in the Dark fundraiser and hearing participants’ stories about the impactful role the nonprofit has played in their lives.
Schuldt plans to work with VLANJ staff to expand quality virtual programming, while also preparing to reopen in-person classes. VLANJ quickly pivoted to online classes when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Enrollment increased three-fold, as people from across the state and beyond logged in or called in to a growing list of virtual programs.
“It’s time to take it to the next level,” said Schuldt, the father of three daughters. Schuldt’s other priorities for VLANJ include forming alliances and connections with other providers, and continuing to expand its exposure throughout the region and state. Schuldt and his wife, Sherrine, live in Hawthorne.
VLANJ, one of the state’s longest-serving nonprofits for adults who are blind or visually impaired, intends to expand services to meet the growing need, Augusto said. More than 160,000 New Jersey residents are blind or have severe vision loss, and that number is expected to increase as the population ages. By 2034, adults age 60 and over are projected to make up 25.4% of the state population.
by Carly Eden Stokes | Apr 12, 2021 | Blog, News
Ming Wu, VLANJ Board Member
This delicious recipe was shared by one of our VLANJ Board Members, Ming Wu, and no scales are required – only an empty “yoghurt pot,” a.k.a. just a regular yogurt container!
Yogurt Container Chocolate Cake
As Ming Wu explains, “As I am vision impaired, I can’t use traditional scales. Large font digital scales and talking scales are good alternatives, but they do take a bit of extra effort. Sometimes, that is absolutely fine, but when you need cake in a hurry and you have two small children in the kitchen ‘helping’, simple is best. This is where the yoghurt pot (yogurt container) method comes into its own.”
Click here to get the full, easy and tasty recipe via Ming Wu’s blog, “A Blinding Light.”
by Carly Eden Stokes | Apr 4, 2021 | Blog, News
Via the National Federation of the Blind, it was announced that Amazon is to expand employment opportunities at Amazon Fulfillment Centers, making them more accessible to workers who are blind.
The Amazon logo is featured on a dark purple background.
Beginning in July 2021 and continuing through 2022, Amazon will provide accessible technology and accommodations to make fulfillment center job paths accessible to employees with blindness. They will also work with the NFB to identify accessibility solutions and innovations for employees who are blind. Learn more by clicking
here!
by Carly Eden Stokes | Apr 2, 2021 | Blog, News
VLANJ Board Member Ming Wu
VLANJ board member Ming Wu has a passion for improving the lives of people living with sight loss, and she often helps to raise awareness about related topics. She writes on her blog about how “…as a visually impaired woman, I find very few skincare and beauty products are designed with people like me in mind. I sometimes feel like the fashion and beauty industry has forgotten about visually impaired women.”
Click
here to read more about
Ming‘s perspective on this topic!
