by Carly Eden Stokes | Dec 11, 2022 | News, Press
Thank you to CBS News and journalist Elise Preston for featuring VLANJ in honor of Blindness Awareness Month. As our President and CEO Bill Schuldt noted, “Too often people who are blind or have low vision tend to be isolated, and we want to make sure they’re part of a community and they’re getting the skills they need.”
For more information on in-person and/or virtual programs, resources, and/or support for those living with blindness or low vision, reach out to our Program Director, Linda Groszew, at (973) 627-0055, prompt 4, and Linda will assist you.
Read the full article and watch the full news segment here: https://www.newson6.com/story/63601f1ab0fd28070981d424/october-is-blind-awareness-month?bblinkid=264323330&bbemailid=43374872&bbejrid=-1800005131
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 | Aug 27, 2020 | Blog, News, Press
The Grotta Fund for Senior Care awarded VLANJ nearly $10,000 in COVID-19 relief funding! This grant allows us to provide Beyond Sight wellness classes, peer support groups, and technology-focused offerings over Zoom video conferencing through the end of 2020, at no charge to participants. Read more by clicking the link below.
A laptop shows multiple people in a Zoom conference class.
DENVILLE, NJ — Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey pivoted from in-person to virtual programs to keep participants – many of them at high risk for the virus – safely connected.
by admin | Nov 25, 2019 | News, Press
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey announced it received a Major Grant of $15,000 from The Provident Bank Foundation to support its new Technology Learning Lab.
When it opens in early 2020, the Technology Learning Lab will enhance both the personal and professional lives of people with vision loss. Participants will train on the latest platforms, learning to harness the power of desktop technology, software such as Fusion, and virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
“We are grateful to the The Provident Bank Foundation for recognizing the value of the Technology Learning Lab and its promise of increasing the independence of people with vision loss,” VLANJ Executive Director Kris Marino said.
A $15,000 Major Grant from The Provident Bank Foundation was presented Thursday to Kris Marino, Executive Director, and Christina Brino, Learning Lab Instructor from VLANJ by Foundation Executive Director Jane Kurek, along with Robert Rocco (VP/Market Manager) and Isis Corris (AVP/Banking Center Manager) of Provident Bank.
“The Provident Bank Foundation is honored to help further initiatives that are making a difference in the lives of residents in our local area,” Kurek said. “We are pleased to support organizations that contribute to a sense of community and offer a diverse set of programs that make people healthier, happier and safer.”
The goal of the Major Grant is to support organizations that have identified an immediate need in the community and for the individuals they serve. The Provident Bank Foundation’s funding directly supports efforts to enhance the quality of life in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania communities served by Provident Bank through three Funding Priority Areas: Community Enrichment, Education, and Health, Youth & Families.
by admin | Oct 30, 2019 | News, Press
Nicole Cicchetti said she felt instantly isolated when she covered her eyes with a black mask at Dining in the Dark. “Of course I couldn’t see, but my hearing was affected too: it was like the conversation at the table became muffled,” explained Cicchetti, one of 180 guests at Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey’s annual fundraiser on Oct. 24.
Across The Meadow Wood ballroom, VLANJ participant and line dance instructor Harry “Buddy” Bradley coached Jill McNeil as she struggled to slice her chateaubriand. The next challenge was eating the small-cut pieces. She laughed when she brought an empty fork to her mouth. “I’ve done that three times!” she said. Fourth try was a charm.
Held during Blindness Awareness Month, Dining in the Dark gave sighted guests a glimpse of what life is like for people who are blind or have significant vision loss. It also showcased the fulfilling lives people with vision loss enjoy.
“I am inspired daily by the individuals who attend the programs that we offer. They refuse to let vision loss define who they are and what they can accomplish,” VLANJ Executive Director Kris Marino said.
Longtime newspaperman and book author Mark DiIonno, who emceed the event, told guests how impressed he was by the camaraderie he witnessed at VLANJ. “That sense of community is paramount to what this organization is all about,” DiIonno said.
Vision Loss affects 1 out of 40 adults in New Jersey, and the numbers are expected to increase significantly as the population ages. The National Eye Institute projects the number of people with visual impairment or blindness in the U.S. will double to more than 8 million by 2050.
Dining in the Dark guests watched three videos of VLANJ participants describing how the nonprofit has impacted their lives. They also heard from VLANJ trustee Claudia Schreiber, who became blind more than a decade ago, when her two children were still in elementary school.
Devastated, she turned to VLANJ, and learned skills that helped her reclaim her independence.
“This was the beginning of my journey back,” Schreiber said. “Slowly, slowly, I started to feel like the person I was before.” A sculptor, Schreiber returned to her art, and has become a mentor and advocate for others with vision loss. “I am happier today than I ever have been in my whole life!” she said.
Dining in the Dark, which included a silent auction and a wine pull, raised more than $50,000 to provide services at the nonprofit’s center in Denville and at locations in Montclair in Essex County and Ridgewood in Bergen County.
The event was sponsored by: Aegis Capital Corp.; Williams Jones Wealth Management; Paramount Assets, LLC; Peapack Private; Carl Stahl Sava Industries, Inc.; Thatcher McGhee’s; Summit Lions Club; Mynt Properties, LLC Commercial Real Estate; The Church of the Saviour; Norman Dean Home for Services; Anthony Felicetta; and Florio Management. Joseph and Antoinette Cicchetti chaired the event, and members of the Chester Lioness Club volunteered.
ABOUT VISION LOSS ALLIANCE OF NEW JERSEY
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is a 501(c)(3) that provides practical training and emotional support to help those who have experienced profound vision loss regain self-esteem and self-reliance. Since its founding in 1943, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey has used a holistic approach to empower those with profound vision loss to live engaged, productive and independent lives. Go to vlanj.org for more information.
Article published in TapInto.net. article link here.
by admin | Jul 11, 2018 | News, Press
Vision loss is a serious problem that will continue to grow as the population ages and cases of age-related eye diseases increase. Blindness and vision loss currently affect more than 160,000 New Jersey residents, and nationwide, the number of people affected is expected to double to more than 8 million by 2050, according to the National Eye Institute.
Throughout our 75-year history, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey has been a thought leader in the programs and services offered to those with profound vision loss. What began as a summer residential camp for blind women has grown into an organization that offers unique state-of-the-art programs. Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey has been ahead of its time every step of the way.
Through our programs and services, in 2018 we:
- Provided vision rehabilitation, technology and peer support programs to 225 individuals
- Educated and trained 1,000 individuals in our outreach program
- Launched a Low Vision Continuing Education course for occupational therapists
- Launched Low Vision Occupational Therapy Services to help individuals maximize their functional vision, and which is approved by Medicare, Aetna, Blue Cross/Blue Shield and United Healthcare, with Cigna pending
If you need help call us at (973) 627-0055, ext 1312, email us at info@vlanj.org, or visit us at 155 Morris Ave, Denville NJ.
