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Detroit/Southeast Michigan
In fall 2016, Vision To Learn launched in Detroit. Partnering with the Detroit Health Department (DHD), Vision To Learn established a full-time mobile vision clinic to serve students in Detroit Public Schools Community District, and in multiple Detroit charter schools. An estimated 8,000 students in Detroit need glasses.
The Detroit project kicked off with a press event at Samuel Gompers Elementary and Middle School, attended by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and school and community leaders. Since the launch, Vision To Learn has visited almost 100 schools and community organizations and has provided free eye exams and glass to over 5,000 Detroit students!
Lead project supporters include the Detroit Pistons Foundation, The Ballmer Group, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, the DMC Foundation, the Dresner Foundation, and the Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation.
Mayor Mike Duggan wrote an Op-ed highlighting the program and the need for student vision care, can be read here.
In fall 2017, with the support of the Margaret Dunning Foundation, Vision To Learn partnered with the South Redford School District to begin a program to provide vision screenings, exams and free eyeglasses for 1,000 Redford area students.
Flint
Tom Gores, owner of the Detroit Pistons and founder of the FlintNOW Foundation, is partnering with Vision To Learn on a new initiative to provide free vision screenings, eye exams and glasses to every student in need throughout Flint Community Schools.
In spring 2018, the Detroit Pistons’ beloved mascot Hooper visited Brownell STEM K-2 Academy to meet some of the first students receiving free glasses; and in the fall, Flint kids will continue to receive vision care from Michigan’s second full-time Vision To Learn mobile eye clinic. See coverage of the Flint launch here »
Grand Rapids
In January 2019, Vision To Learn expanded services to Grand Rapids. With the help of the community of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools, and the Kent County Health Department, students at Aberdeen K-8 were the very first to receive new glasses as part of this Michigan expansion. An estimated 3,000 children in Grand Rapids are in need of glasses.
Michigan Supporters:
The Ballmer Group
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Coalition of DPS Unions
DMC Foundation
Detroit Health Department
Detroit Pistons Foundation
Detroit Public School Community District
Vera and Joseph Dresner Foundation
Margaret Dunning Foundation
Essilor Vision Foundation
Flint Community Schools District
FlintNOW Foundation
Jamie and Denise Jacob Family Foundation
Penske Corporation
The Rathmann Challenge
South Redford School District
Steelcase Foundation
Contact
Tressel Flaggs, Program Manager Eastern Michigan
+1 (734) 657-1639
Questions or concerns: easternmichigan@visiontolearn.org
Anne Durkee, Program Manager Western Michigan
+1 (616) 275-0710
Questions or concerns: westernmichigan@visiontolearn.org
