Inspiring and Determined Artist
Former client Kara Ruth Snyder will have a solo art exhibit at the Frank L. Melega Art Museum in Brownsville, PA, June 2 – Aug. 26. The show is entitled “Inward Morning” and 10 percent of all sales benefit BVRS. Click here for details.
Free Vision Screenings May 18
As part of Healthy Vision Month, we are offering free vision screenings for adults and children (ages 3 – 5) Friday, May 18, between noon and 3:00 p.m. at our Homestead location, 1800 West St. Appointments are not required. For more information, call Diane Pakler, 412-368-4400 ext. 2293. Vision screenings do not replace professional eye exams, but can detect deviations from normal vision. Adults who take part in the May 18 screenings will be assessed for acuity and macular degeneration; children will be evaluated for acuity, muscle balance and color deficiency.
'For Your Eyes Only' on June 8
The annual “For Your Eyes Only” fundraiser is Friday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m. at a private estate in historic Sewickley formerly known as Windgate Manor. Along with food and drinks, live music and a live auction, FYEO will feature an equestrian demonstration for the VIP guests, and for all guests Sewickley artist and historian Richard Smith will be on hand to explain the historic significance of the house and its many artistic features. Tickets are $75; VIP tickets are $125. Contact Cindy Smith, 412-368-4400 ext. 2208, or csmith@pghvis.org, for more information or tickets. All proceeds benefit BVRS.
Summer Camp
BVRS and the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children (WPSBC) are teaming up to offer a week-long overnight camp for teens ages 14 through 16 who are blind or visually impaired Aug. 5 - 10 at the WPSBC campus in Oakland. Activities at the new Expanding Visions camp will include pre-employment training, orientation and mobility, activities of daily living and recreational activities. Registration is $50 per camper. Questions? Contact Barb Peterson, 412-368-4400 or bpeterson@pghvis.org.
BVRS has received a $5,000 donation from the Homestead District Lions Club for the purchase of gasoline for agency vehicles. “The support of our hometown Homestead District Lions Club is very important to our organization and the individuals we serve,” says Erika Arbogast, BVRS president. “The Lions are wonderful supporters of our agency and we are so thankful for their generosity.”
Pictured, left to right: Howard Caspar, Mark Minuto (Chair, Disbursement Committee), BVRS President Erika Arbogast, Homestead District Lions Club President Bea Virostek, and Dave Hahner, Sr.
Volunteer This Summer
We are on the lookout for teenage volunteers for the summer youth Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training program, June 25 through July 27, which helps other teenagers who are blind or vision impaired prepare for college or a career. Volunteers accompany the students to places like Kennywood, Pirate baseball games, Sandcastle and camping or just spend time with them in the evening. Adult volunteers also are needed. Schedules are flexible, and training is provided. Contact Nancy Schepis, volunteer coordinator, 412-368-4400 or nschepis@pghvis.org.
Former Client Honored for Hard Work
Usually it takes years to achieve employer recognition — whether for number of years worked or for effort. Not for Jeff Hladio, a former BVRS client. Jeff has been named “Base Supply Center Employee of the Year” by Industries for the Blind, Inc., for his work at the base supply store for the Pennsylvania Air National Guard 171st Air Refueling Wing in Coraopolis. Read all about it...
Low Vision Appointments Available in Two Locations
Our Low Vision Program is now available in two locations: our Homestead site at 1800 West Street and in the South Hills, 4411 Stilley Road at Route 51, Brentwood, near Baldwin High School. Appointments in Brentwood are available on Mondays. This program provides services for people who have some usable vision. Call 412-368-4400 to set up an appointment. Click here for more details.
Employment Programs
Call BVRS @ 412-368-4400 for information about employment and vocational programs for adults and teens who are blind, vision impaired or have other disabilities.
Be A Mentor
Are you a successful, confident adult with vision loss? Consider becoming a mentor to a young person, age 14-21, who is blind or vision impaired. If you are interested, click here for more information.
Learn About Age-Related Vision Challenges
Macular Degeneration presentation by ophthalmology specialist Dr. Louis A. Lobes, Jr. Cataracts and Glaucoma presentation by ophthalmology specialist Dr. Marshall Stafford. Click on the above links to learn more.
Artist Brenda Davis 
Brenda Davis was the featured artist for our recent "Soul Vision" art show. She has a definite eye for design and an enthusiasm for color. Read more about Brenda
Tim's Story
Timothy R. Hall is a photographer by profession and loves to take breathtaking images. Tim has lost vision due to glaucoma -- called the "sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost it's permanent. Yet while the words photographer and visually impaired usually are not associated, Tim wants people to know, "I can still operate a camera."
Click here to read Tim's story; he tells it so well.
State Sen. Jay Costa, 43rd District, toured Blind & Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh's Homestead campus Friday, March 16. He is pictured with BVRS President Erika Arbogast (left) and BVRS Vocational Training Specialist Meghan Patton (right). They are speaking with Michele Benasutti (far left) and Jamie Garner (foreground), who are part of BVRS' employment transition program. Visit our Facebook page for more photos of the Senator's visit.
President Erika Arbogast's Challenge
Erika Arbogast spent the week of Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, 2011, under blindfold -- 24 hours for each of those five working days -- at work and at home. Read about her experience by clicking HERE .