U.S. Senator Chris Coons, Governor John Carney & Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki Celebrate Vision To Learn’s Expansion Into Delaware’s Charter Schools

Nonprofit organization providing free glasses to 60 students at Kuumba Academy and Great Oaks Charter Schools. Vision To Learn’s project has provided free eye exams and free glasses to over 4,000 school children in Delaware

Vision To Learn will launch their expansion into Charter Schools with a press event at which they will distribute free glasses to students at Kuumba Academy and Great Oaks Charter Schools in in the Community Education Building. The nonprofit organization Vision To Learn delivers free eye exams and glasses to kids in low-income communities. Delaware, the first state in VTL’s national expansion was launched its pilot program in October 2014 at Shortlidge Academy and in less than one year expanded statewide, partnering with 13 school districts and many charter and private schools in all three counties. To date, Vision To Learn has helped over 4000 kids in Delaware.

Senator Chris Coons, who was instrumental in bringing Vision To Learn to Delaware, said, “Vision To Learn is a proven, effective way to help school children learn and a great investment in Delaware’s future”.

“Vision To Learn makes a real difference in the lives of Delaware students by ensuring that every child is able to take advantage of a good education. Sometimes it’s the simple things, like a pair of glasses, that can have a big impact on a student’s ability to learn,” said Govenor John Carney. “This program helps kids who need it most, and I’m grateful for their continued commitment to Delaware’s children.”

As many as 6,000 students in Delaware lack the glasses they need to see the board, read a book and participate in school. Vision To Learn bridges the gap in access felt by many students, and their families, in low-income communities. Vision To Learn’s optometrists work out of a mobile clinic bus that travels to school sites every day. Students are examined on the bus and, if glasses are prescribed, they choose their frames from a wide selection of colors and sizes. The glasses are then delivered to the kids at school. All of Vision To Learn’s services – from the exam to the glasses – are provided free of charge.

Vision To Learn Founder and Chairman Austin Beutner said, “Vision To Learn helps provide every child with the chance to succeed in school and in life.”

Vision To Learn’s mobile clinic began visiting the schools in the Community Education Building earlier this year and has already provided over 75 eye exams and over 60 pairs of free glasses in the students at Kuumba Academy and Great Oaks Charter Schools. The April 12th press event, 10am-11am at the Community Education Building at 1200 N. French Street in Wilmington, will celebrate a total of 60 children from both Charter Schools who have received glasses through Vision To Learn.

“Every child in Delaware and every child in America should be able to see the blackboard. Vision To Learn’s efforts help kids succeed in school. Austin Beutner understands this and I want to thank him for making Delaware his first state after California. Together, we will develop a roadmap that can help other states ensure that all children living in poverty can see a clear and bright future,” said Governor Jack Markell.

Vision To Learn began operations in Los Angeles in 2012, and in the last three years has expanded to schools throughout California and Delaware. Vision To Learn serves the needs of the hardest-to-reach kids in low-income communities. 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 over 80,000 kids.

UCLA research shows that Vision To Learn has a direct impact on education outcomes for children supported by the program and improves the learning environment for the entire classroom and school.