New Jersey | Vision To Learn

In May 2017, Vision To Learn began helping children in New Jersey with generous funding provided by Laura and John Overdeck through their namesake Overdeck Family Foundation. In its first years there, Vision To Learn provided vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses—free of charge—to children in Pre-K through 3rd grade in Newark Public Schools.

The New Jersey kickoff was celebrated June 1, 2017 at Speedway Academies in Newark, where Jay Bromley, then a New York Giants defensive tackle, made a surprise appearance. Newark Public Schools is New Jersey’s largest school district, with an enrollment of almost 35,000 kids. Vision To Learn has provided over 7,000 vision screenings, 2,700 eye exams and 2,000 pairs of glasses in the first year of this program.

In March 2019, an expansion of services was celebrated, marking a widening of efforts to provide free vision screenings, eye exams and glasses to all Pre-K to 8th grade students in Jersey City, Orange and East Orange public schools by January 2020. Funded by Overdeck Family Foundation, the program, with the help of Helen Keller International’s mobile teams, is expected to reach 31,000 students and distribute 6,300 pairs of glasses.

“Whether it’s reading a book or seeing the board, students need to see clearly in and out of the classroom to reach their full potential,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “I’m grateful to Overdeck Family Foundation, Vision To Learn, Helen Keller International and Jersey City Public Schools for their innovative public-private partnership to provide new vision screenings, eye exams and glasses to all Pre-K to 8th grade students in the Jersey City School District. Building a stronger and fairer New Jersey means giving all our students the tools they need to excel academically.”

New Jersey Supporters

The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
The Giants Foundation
Helen Keller International
Overdeck Family Foundation
Rathmann Challenge Grant

Contact

Vision To Learn, New Jersey
Giovanni Restrepo, Program Director
+1 (201) 705-9104
Questions or concerns: newjersey@visiontolearn.org

Laura Overdeck, Chair of the Overdeck Family Foundation, addresses the crowd at Speedway Academies before children receive their glasses, June 1, 2017.

Smiles all around for these Speedway Academies students, who just received their new glasses!

kids cheering in front of New Jersey mobile clinic — Celebrating the expansion of New Jersey services into Jersey City, Orange, and East Orange Public Schools, Darren Mischel, Frank R. Conwell Primary School Principal, poses with some of the 110 primary and middle school students who received glasses in March, 2019.