Vision To Learn and Percy (Master P) Miller Provide Free Eye Exams and Glasses to Kids in Oakland
Students at Oakland High School were thrilled to have music mogul and philanthropist Percy (Master P) Miller help them try on a new pair of glasses. The glasses were provided by non-profit Vision To Learn, which has helped students in Oakland Unified with free eye exams and glasses since 2013. The event was a celebration of Vision To Learn’s success to-date – the nonprofit has helped more than 100,000 kids in 10 states since its founding – and a look forward to fulfilling its ultimate goal: providing glasses to every student who needs them, nationwide.
An estimated two million students in the U.S. lack the glasses they need at school. Founded in 2012 in Los Angeles, Vision To Learn has quickly grown to become the largest program in the nation providing eye exams and glasses to children in low-income communities, in more than 200 cities from Honolulu to Baltimore.
“Helping 100,000 kids is just the beginning,” said Austin Beutner, Founder and Chair of Vision To Learn. “With the help of supporters like Master P, Vision To Learn will continue working to help every child get the glasses they need to succeed in school, and in life.”
Music mogul and philanthropist Master P supports Vision To Learn through personal appearances at schools. Master P told Oakland High School students about his own experience needing glasses, and encouraged them to wear and care for their new specs. “I came to tell these kids personally that wearing their glasses is cool,” said Master P. “I look at these kids and I see myself at their age. These glasses will help them achieve their dreams.”
Vision To Learn’s program is supported by many generous funders, including community foundations, corporate sponsors, professional sports teams, government grants, and individuals. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) has provided grant funding supporting Vision To Learn’s program in the 9 County Bay Area and Sacramento, and its expansion to new states.
Vision To Learn has been supported for several years by the Warriors Community Foundation. The partnership includes funding to help students, and Vision To Learn’s mobile clinic features kids in Warriors gear. The Warriors invited several dozens of kids helped by Vision To Learn, and their families, to be recognized at Saturday’s game at Oracle Arena.
Founded in 2012 in Los Angeles, Vision To Learn now helps students in low-income communities in 10 states and more than 200 cities, from Honolulu to Baltimore. Today’s event will underscore not just the increasing number of students helped by Vision To Learn, but the growing national reach of the organization.
About Vision To Learn
Vision To Learn started with one van in Los Angeles in 2012, and now helps kids in low-income communities in 10 states and more than 200 cities from Honolulu to Baltimore. Vision To Learn serves the needs of the hardest-to-reach children; more than 89% of kids served by Vision To Learn live in poverty and 87% are kids of color. Since its inception, Vision To Learn has helped screen over 550,000 kids, and provided 100,000 with eye exams and glasses, all free of charge. For more information on Vision to Learn, please visit www.visiontolearn.org.
About TEAM HOPE NOLA
TEAM HOPE NOLA is a 501(c)(3) that was started to help the youth of New Orleans through educational programs, sports and mentorships. In the beginning music mogul, philanthropist Percy (Master P) Miller called on former NBA coach Robert Pack to assist with the children of the city they both call home. In the past several years Percy and his team have helped over one million children and adults throughout the country by giving back to the inner cities. From the City of Compton to Orlando, Florida, Team Hope shows up with back to school giveaways, thanksgiving food drives, Christmas giveaways and scholarships for students. THN’s mission is to lend a hand when and wherever the can.
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