Helen Keller’s New York Vision Program Featured on NY1
The local news program NY1 highlighted Helen Keller Intl’s work providing free vision care services to children and families in New York City.
Tonya Suer, Helen Keller’s Regional Manager for our New York and New Jersey vision program, spoke to the news program about our New York program and the importance of access to vision care.
Helen Keller is proud to have served New York City children and families for more than three decades, providing free vision screenings to 80,000 New Yorkers every year. We partner with schools and community organizations to bring licensed optometrists directly to children and families for vision screenings. Children, parents, and grandparents who need glasses receive them at no cost within weeks.
In her interview, Tonya describes “the magic of our program,” in which young people get to choose frames they’re excited to wear, helping build confidence and encouraging consistent use.
Tonya also reminds viewers that “getting an eye exam is just as important as an annual physical,” and that glasses are a crucial tool to help young people “navigate life successfully.”
One in four children experiencing poverty has an unmet vision need. By bringing our vision screenings directly to communities, our program model removes the two biggest barriers to vision care: access and cost.
Helen Keller’s US Vision program serves children and families in California, Minnesota, New Jersey, and New York. To date, we have screened more than 2.5 million students, including more than one million in New York City alone.
With your support, we’re working to ensure that every child has the clear vision they need to learn, grow, and thrive
Watch the interview here: Local nonprofit helps children get eye exams
Help all children and families see brighter futures.
