VLANJ Celebrates Growth and Impact at Visions of Spring Fundraiser

Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey celebrated spring and the nonprofit’s own renewal — marked by a move to Morris Plains after 70 years in Denville— at its biggest fundraiser of the year on April 24.

“Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is a growing and thriving organization,” VLANJ President and CEO Bill Schuldt told the 100 supporters, participants and volunteers who gathered at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes.

VLANJ’s move to Morris Plains in February “has been a spring-like transformation,” said Schuldt, noting the new space was designed specifically to accommodate needs of individuals with vision loss or blindness. “It will enhance the programs we offer and allow us to continue to grow and expand,” he said.

Kelly Bleach is presented the Founder's Award by Jennifer Singer, Vice President, Development and Communications.

VLANJ honored Trustee Kelly Bleach with its Founder’s Award for her longtime advocacy. Bleach earned a doctorate in leadership and change, her research focused on practices for leveraging technology to advance inclusion of people with disabilities. She worked nearly 30 years with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) in leadership roles.

“Having worked in the field for a long time, I recognize the importance of offering really high-quality services for people with vision loss,” Bleach said. “Whether it’s learning to cross the street safely, or reading a newspaper with a smartphone app, or joining a support group, the VLANJ programs can really make the difference between feeling fear and isolation versus confidence and belonging.”

Bill Schuldt and Senator Bucco are featured.

Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Alexandra Cerasiello from Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s office each presented Bleach with a resolution for her commitment to helping people with vision loss. Bucco called VLANJ “a tremendous organization. What you do for those who are visually impaired cannot be matched.”

‘You Will Never See Again’

Guests listened intently as VLANJ participant Antonio Horta described how he lost his vision in March 2020 after contracting the coronavirus. He paused several times in the telling to wipe tears from his eyes. When he woke in the hospital, he found himself in complete darkness. He tore at imagined bandages over his eyes. “I tried fighting something invisible,” he said.

Following a battery of tests, the head neurologist broke the news to him: “you will never see again.” The virus had caused brain inflammation that irreversibly damaged the occipital lobes responsible for visual perception.

Speaker Antonio is featured with his wife, Consuelo.

The married father of two found out about VLANJ through a local support group. At VLANJ, he learned to prepare simple meals in the kitchen, and then to use the accessibility features on his iPhone. The staff, he said, is very dedicated and very patient. “They give all the time in the world to help us gain our independence back.”

Schuldt surprised Board of Trustees Chair Carl Augusto, whose 9-year-term ends in May, by announcing that the new VLANJ board room would be named in his honor. Augusto led the AFB for 25 years before retiring in 2016. “He brought that gravitas, expertise and national recognition to VLANJ,” Schuldt said. “Thanks to Carl's leadership we are serving more people in more parts of New Jersey than ever before.”

Founded in 1943, VLANJ offers in-center programs in independent living skills, assistive technology, home safety, adaptive cooking, orientation and mobility, and self-advocacy. It also provides virtual education and support groups, in-home low vision occupational therapy, and real-world excursions to help participants navigate their surroundings with confidence.

Carl Augusto, Board Chair and Bill Schuldt, VLANJ President and CEO are featured.

Expanding Reach

Enrollment in VLANJ’s in-person programs grew 90 percent between 2019 and 2024, increasing from 74 to 141 participants. An additional 159 individuals took part in virtual programs. In 2024 alone, VLANJ reached 949 people through 40 educational and community presentations.

The VLANJ@Home program recently expanded its services area and now provides in-home low vision occupational therapy in Morris, Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties, and select sections of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

During the event, “Visions of Spring,” guests enjoyed performances by visually impaired students from the renowned Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School in New York City and bid on numerous items and experiences in the silent auction.

Thank you to our sponsors and supporters:

Integrated Project Management
Modera Wealth Management
Lee & Associates
The Bleach Sisters
The McCann Family Foundation
Commplus
Dyer Landscaping
Dex Imaging
Mutual of America
NJM Insurance Group
New Jersey Natural Gas
McIntee Fusaro Del Corral, LLC
Norman Dean Home for Services, Inc.

Donations to VLANJ are greatly appreciated, and can be made using this link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E292070&id=1

Dining in the Dark 2022 - One of VLANJ's Best Events Yet!

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, we held our main fundraising event of the year, Dining in the Dark - and the support we received was truly wonderful.

Two attendees enjoy Dining in the Dark. One individual wears learning shades.

Dining in the Dark was an immersive event through a world of smell, taste, and sound, offering attendees a unique sensory experience like no other. The evening helped us raise funds for our programs here at VLANJ, and featured a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner in the dark, and entertainment. It also included incredible words by VLANJ Board Member Ming Wu, the Saddle River Valley Lions Club, and VLANJ program participant and creator of The Blind Vine, Debbie Azzarone.

VLANJ Program Director Linda Groszew and Program Participant and author of the Blind Vine, Debbie Azzarone, speak at Dining in the Dark.

We couldn't be more grateful to each of our sponsors and donors, and to those who continue to support Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey - THANK YOU!

Thank you to our sponsors:

Williams Jones Wealth Management

The Church of the Saviour, Denville, NJ

Mary Ann and Brian Zino

New Jersey Natural Gas

Advanced Center NJ

Norman Dean Home For Services, Inc.

DCM Associates

General Vision Services

Thatcher McGhee's

Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin

Modera Wealth Management

Dyer Landscaping & Lawn Care

Board Member Sponsors Lyndsey Lord, Kelly and Kevin Bleach, Carl and Sue Augusto, Carol and Jake Ray, and Dora T. Meler.

VLANJ Board Member Ming Wu speaks at Dining in the Dark.

The VLANJ Silent Auction is featured.

Didn't make it to our event this year? Not to worry - follow us on social media to stay up to date on all upcoming in-person and virtual events!

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Thank You To Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee

The Lydia Collins deForest Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee has awarded a grant of $37,000 to Vision Loss Alliance of NJ to design and implement a hybrid model of program service delivery: in-person classes and virtual sessions via Zoom.

The approach addresses the most significant needs impacting VLANJ clients before, during, and continuing into the post-COVID-19 climate. Program participants and the community will benefit through expanded access to information and training; flexible, cost-effective services; greater diversity and geographic reach; a wider range of service options; and individualized supports and services.

Thank you to the Lydia Collins de Forest Charitable Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Co-Trustee for making these opportunities a reality for our program participants!

What’s Your Blindness?

A letter from VLANJ's CEO, William Schuldt:

What can change the ordinary to the extraordinary? What can help a person with vision loss find happiness and fulfill their dreams? With your help, Vision Loss Alliance of NJ has been doing just that for 78 years.

Ming, a wife, a mother, a writer, and a Vision Loss Alliance of NJ trustee, was born with a genetic disorder that would affect her sight and will eventually lead to total blindness. Today, she is legally blind and can only see light and shadows. While she describes her life as ordinary — I want to share with you how someone with vision loss accomplishes the extraordinary, while living that ordinary life.

You have most likely experienced a day when the demands are varied and often exhausting — with vision. Ming describes her typical morning much as yours: waking early, choosing clothes, dressing, making breakfast for the family, and getting the children ready for school. After checking that each child has her homework, snacks, water bottles, and anything else needed for the day, you take them to school. Imagine for a moment how you would get through your morning without full use of your vision, as Ming does. She will frankly say, “Parents who are blind face the same challenges as other parents, but must find different ways to address those challenges.”

As a trustee who has lived with sight loss and learned different ways of doing things, Ming highlights VLANJ’s unique approach:

• VLANJ core programs are a combination of skills-based classes and sessions that focus on mental well-being. These comprehensive services provide emotional support while covering all the basic skills that people with vision loss need to relearn. It is important to have the fundamental skills in place before moving forward, which leads to the next point.

• What sets VLANJ apart from other providers is that services do not stop at basic skills. Our range of programs, while building on basics, helps clients apply those skills to their unique lives. This is critical, because as people lose their vision, they not only want to do the basic things in life but, like everyone, they want to keep learning and enriching their lives. Ming believes that you can cultivate well-being and happiness despite losing your vision when you have the skills and supports to make that choice. For Ming, her happiness meant regaining her lost passion — ballet. She wanted to feel that joy again. After what she calls “endless procrastination,” she faced her fear of not being able to dance with her limited sight. As Ming stood in the entrance to her building clutching her cane and sending her usual message to the Uber driver to look out for her, she was full of questions. “Will I find the studio?” “Will I be able to keep up with the class?” “Will they mind that I cannot see?”

She considered each challenge. “I couldn’t see to walk or drive to the class so I ordered the Uber and told the driver I couldn’t see. He helped me. I couldn’t find the studio, so I rang the doorbell and was guided by a friendly person who occupied the first floor of the building. He helped me find the studio. I couldn’t see the teacher demonstrating, so I listened very carefully to his instructions. I was dancing!”

It was far from perfect, but for each obstacle there was a workaround. Ming explains, “I know we’d rather not need workarounds; I’d much prefer to just go to ballet class like everyone else. But it was worth the struggle, as my reward was the enjoyment of dancing and a confirmation that I could do this, even if it was hard.”

Now that Ming is dancing again, her challenge to you is this: “What is your ballet? What would fulfill your dreams and spark your passion? What is your blindness? What is holding you back? I urge you to get past the obstacles and live your dreams! The more we can find enjoyment in life without our “blindness” as the focus, the more peace we will feel. This is a journey we all can take, but it is sweeter if we have company along the way.”

Please make a gift today that will not only help those with vision loss find their passion, but may also help you to up your happiness game! You can support VLANJ here: https://vlanj.org/donations/

Yours sincerely,

William Schuldt, CEO

P.S. Your gift means that when a person loses their vision, they can access the support they need to keep living their lives. Please give your proudest gift today.

Human Echolocation: How It Works

Echolocation is shared by many species, including whales and dolphins - even people can learn how to use it!

Now, new research shows that both sighted people and those who are blind can learn how to echolocate using clicking noise, either from one's own mouth, footsteps, or walking cane taps, after just 10 weeks of training.

Read more on this interesting topic as shared by journals.plos.org here: https://bit.ly/humanecholocation

The VLANJ logo and an image via Discover Magazine depicting how human echolocation works is featured, with text that reads: "Human Echolocation: How It Works. Clicking noise creates ongoing sound waves. Sound bounces off object. Returning echo activates the visual processing area (circled) in the brain of an experienced echolocator." Text below reads: "Blind Individuals Who See By Sound."

VLANJ Welcomes New Board Members

Ming Wu

VLANJ Board Member Ming Wu.

Ming has spent most of her career working in business development and marketing in the legal sector. She has worked for international law firms in the UK and in Hong Kong. She has a BSc (Hons) Psychology from the University of Leeds. Originally from the UK, Ming now lives in New Jersey. In recent years Ming has volunteered for UK based non-profits, The Royal National Institute for the Blind and Wakefield District Sight Aid. Ming has a passion for improving the lives of people living with sight loss and raising awareness of related topics, which she writes about on her blog.

Frank Mortimer

VLANJ Board Member Frank Mortimer.

Frank worked in higher education publishing for over twenty-five years. He was the Director of Marketing, Higher Education, North America at Oxford University Press, a not-for-profit, mission-driven
institution, where he was responsible for all facets of their marketing operations for a $54 million portfolio of print and digital products across the United States and Canada. Frank is currently an adjunct instructor at the Cornell University Master Beekeeping Program, Vice President of the New Jersey State Beekeepers Association, and a Certified Master Beekeeper. Frank is the author of Bee People and the Bugs They Love, (Kensington Publishing, March 2021), which was reviewed by the New York Times, and
he has written multiple articles featured in the widely circulated Bee Culture Magazine. Frank also serves on Ridgewood, New Jersey’s Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board. Frank is married and lives in Ridgewood with his wife and three children.

Dora Meler

VLANJ Board Member Dora Meler

Dora has more than 37 years’ experience in the IT field implementing and running technology and product solutions for financial services firms. After earning a B.S. Degree in Computer Science from Queens College in New York, she enjoyed a full career within the global investment banking industry, working most recently as Vice President/Senior Technology Project Manager at Barclays in NYC before retiring in 2018. Despite being diagnosed with glaucoma in her late 20s and experiencing a slow, steady loss of vision in the years that followed, she has continued to pursue her many interests. These include world travel, learning new language and musical instrument skills, and enjoying the outdoors through camping, hiking, tandem cycling and cross-country skiing, all while following a healthy lifestyle including practicing daily meditation.