Pennsylvania

In June 2018, Vision To Learn launched a program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to serve Pittsburgh Public Schools students in need. Through this initiative, Pittsburgh Public Schools nurses provide vision screenings to students; and Vision To Learn provides eye exams and glasses, free of charge, to Pittsburgh Public Schools students. An estimated 2,650 children in Pittsburgh go to school every day without the glasses they need to see the board, read a book, study math, or participate in the classroom.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Hamlet, Pennsylvania Executive Director of the Children’s Health Insurance Program Patricia Allan, Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, Vision To Learn Pennsylvania Co-Chair Bruce Gebhardt, and Vision To Learn President Ann Hollister participated in a kickoff event on June 1 at Pittsburgh King PreK-8, where 21 students received glasses.

During the 2018-2019 school year, Vision To Learn will work with Pittsburgh Public Schools to serve schools throughout the district. Over the next school year, Vision To Learn aims to establish partnerships with school districts in surrounding areas of Allegheny County as well as Westmoreland County and Washington County. Building on its efforts in the southwest region of the state, Vision To Learn will work with local partners to assess the feasibility of expansion to other regions of the state.

Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Anthony Hamlet, Pittsburgh King Student, and Pittsburgh Steeler JuJu Smith-Schuster at the VTL Pittsburgh launch, June 1, 2018

Pennsylvania Supporters:

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Deerbrook Charitable Trust
Essilor Vision Foundation
Heinz Endowments
Hillman Foundation
Pittsburgh Steelers
PNC Charitable Trusts
Richard King Mellon Foundation
RP Simmons Family Charitable Trust