CCVI Events & Updates
CCVI's Impact on the Community
CCVI reached children across 147 zip codes last school year. Many of these children from all across the region started their journey with a Functional Vision Evaluation. One of the most critical pieces of programming for CCVI is evaluations. This service, often at no cost to families, unlocks a multitude of opportunities for kids and is only possible through the support of our community. This eval ensures that children are engaged classmates and not left behind in lessons.
Thank you, DGs!
Every year, Delta Gammas from around the region help push our students to achieve their highest potential—whether it’s through their donations, their time, or their advocacy. Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of DGs. Thank you for empowering our families; we’re incredibly grateful! If you’re looking to get involved further, don’t hesitate to check out our website and hear about what we’re up to!
We are So Grateful...
We recently received this letter from Kerry Bohemia, Executive Director of CCVI.
"Dear Delta Gamma, On behalf of our Board of Directors, students, and staff, I would like to thank you for contributing to our mission of preparing children with visual impairments, including those with multiple disabilities, to reach their highest potential in the sighted world. Your generous gift of $10,000.00 was received on August 28, 20025 - thank you! DG’s, because of your support, CCVI can serve children, from birth through school-age by providing the gold standard of care. Our Early Intervention, Early Learning Academy, and Outreach Programs provide children in our community with a customized, innovative, and stimulating learning environment led by specialized teachers and therapists. When we work together, we ensure that every child has the ability and resources they need to succeed and become valued contributing members of society. Thank you for making it possible for children and families to find happiness, joy and hope for their future at Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired!"
CCVI - New and exciting updates!
WayMaker Honor
Last month, CCVI had the privilege of walking the field at the KC Current game alongside Ability KC and Beacon Mental Health, as one of United Way’s Waymakers of the Match. As an Impact 100 partner, we are honored to have had the opportunity to attend the KC Current game and advocate for our organization. “Rarely do you have an opportunity to advance the conversation on how we can empower our students on a stage like the KC Current pitch. We’re thankful to United Way for inviting us,” says Kerry Boehm.
Mobile Outreach, CCVI Impacts 19 school districts and 66 students!
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: Mobile Outreach for Vision Education (MOVE)
More than 75% of CCVI’s work is outside of our building and in the homes and school districts of our families. Currently, we partner with 19 school districts and serve 66 students in this program across a variety of ages well beyond preschool (all the way up through high school)! Our Mobile Outreach Vision Education Program (M.O.V.E.) meets students and families where they are, regardless of zip code. Whether it’s at an elementary school playground or in a 10th grade classroom, being able to provide high-quality education in a student's least restrictive environment ensures social and academic success. Learn more about the M.O.V.E. Program by clicking the link.
CCVI Trolley Run Update
More Than a Race, A Mission, CCVI Trolley Run Summary
Although the CCVI Trolley Run has come to a close, we’re excited to share the final impact numbers—made possible by YOU—from this year’s race! Be sure to subscribe to get updates on when registration will open back up and get access to special discounts for the 38th Annual CCVI Trolley Run!
- Over 3,200 participants! (welcoming over 1,400 new participants)
- We had 62 Family Teams come out for race day!
- Over 150 volunteers supporting our runners & walkers on race weekend!
- 56% of our participants identified as female!
- Over $29,000 raised in donations!
By the end of the event, thanks to the support of our Family Teams, sponsors, and participants like yourself, we raised over $260,000 to support specialized services for visually impaired children in our community!
Thank you for supporting Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired and our mission! If you’re interested in getting more news and updates from CCVI, consider subscribing to their Newsletter!
White Cane Safety Day Celebration
October is the month dedicated to blindness awareness and one of the most important celebrations this month is White Cane Safety Day! White Cane Safety Day is an annual day of awareness observed nationally on October 15th. CCVI celebrated by hosting a Walk-A-Thon for students to practice their white cane skills outdoors and hosted a multitude of other fun activities for kids. A huge thank you to the Delta Gammas for helping to staff this event on October 17th! Delta Gammas helped with set-up at the event, served McDonald’s, and interacted with the students as they paraded through the Sensory Garden. Brandi Herhusky, a sophomore DG from KU, helped with face painting. It’s a great feeling seeing the students enjoy the Sensory Garden knowing that Delta Gammas helped it make a reality.
Sighted Peer Availability at CCVI
Do you have a loved one looking for a preschool? They might be eligible to attend CCVI as a sighted peer. Enroll in an inclusive environment to promote belonging, friendships, understanding and acceptance of other that are different. Sighted Peer students learn confidence, empathy, and school readiness skills while supporting the educational needs of their peers by being a leader and a friend. With affordable pricing and a low student to teacher ratio, this is a viable option for kindergarten readiness. Learn more by visiting the website.
CCVI Launches Podcast
Need some inspirational stories to light up your life? Welcome to The Vision Mission... We are SO excited to introduce our new podcast series with the aim to advocate, educate, and connect with the blind and visually impaired community on a larger scale! Whether you’re are a parent to a child with a visual impairment, a Delta Gamma, a seasoned professional in the field of vision or therapy or just like podcasts, there is something here for everyone!
Check out our first episode now available on YouTube, Spreaker, Spotify, iHeart Radio and soon Apple Podcasts!
➡ Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gQyyCabB
➡Spreaker: https://lnkd.in/gzMR5Zpu
➡ YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g4zRizUg
➡ iHeart Radio: https://lnkd.in/gdYdRymJ
Program Highlight: Mobile Outreach for Vision Education (MOVE) Program
Ever wonder what education looks like in a public school for a child that is blind or visually impaired? Sometimes, it’s learning how to shop at a grocery store! For high schoolers like Caleb, CCVI providers are contracted by his school district to conduct sessions out in the community as part of the Mobile Outreach for Vision Education (M.O.V.E.) Program.
This allows children to receive one-on-one services without enrolling in the Early Intervention or Early Learning Academy, based on the recommendation and guidance of an individualized educational plan. No matter which stage of the education process a child is at, certified professionals are available to assist the needs of a school district.
This is the fastest growing program at CCVI and one of the most collaborative methods of education to support the whole child. In fact, some students even work with CCVI providers during their school day to learn how to access and take public transportation, such as KCATA, Uber, or Lyft!
Additional Publishing Notes/Comments
CCVI Questions and Answers
“What is Orientation and Mobility?” Orientation and Mobility (O&M) teaches a person with vision loss to travel efficiently, safely, and independently. An O&M instructor teaches the student to focus on and accurately interpret sensory information available in the environment. In many cases, O&M utilizes a white cane or teaches pre-white cane skills. Orientation and Mobility skills are essential for those with visual impairments in order to lead a fulfilling and independent life. At CCVI, our Orientation and Mobility Specialists begin working on these skills by building good directional/positional concepts (in/out, up/down, left/right, etc.), learning body awareness, purposeful movement and basic orientation, and by learning pre-white cane and white cane skills.
