The Akron Blind Center holds a very special place in my heart for many reasons. This is not only an organization where you can be with others facing similar challenges, but also here you truly feel a part of an extended family. The ABC offers so many classes, programs and social activities that cater to visual challenges. I love the blind center for all it offers and for making me feel a part of something special and unique.
This center is an awesome place to begin your connections of the BEST PEOPLE!
Exciting new activities and lots of personal friendships!
Scott and Tressa Reisberg are the best and are so helpful!!
My CENTER FAMILY here and personally!!❤️❤️
I've been a member for a few years now and plan to volunteer some!
David Calderone is my brother and LOVES this Center too!
Lisa Calderone
LOVE TO YOU ALL AT THE CENTER❤️
I truly enjoy being a part of the Akron Blind Center. I started in 1985, and used to mainly attend the business meetings. I lost my sight in 1992, and had to learn how to walk by faith, not by sight. I have certainly benefitted from the togetherness and opportunities to apply my past professional skills (social work and other community service organizations) to help others with community resources and connect everyone as partners serving the community.
There is so much opportunity and spiritual growth with our family at 325 East Market St, and welcome new members to our family and to do outreach to others. It is so warm and welcoming, with an overload of inspiration to be had.
I look forward to every day there and we have so much fun as we learn and develop our skills together. Everyone can become more independent by learning from each other and the programs available.
We would love to have you contact us and speak with someone to tell you how you can fit in and be with others with similar challenges. There is so much we can share together as we go through challenges. It helps to know you are not all alone and your loved ones can thrive with us. Join our family, donate your time, or anything that you can to help this incredible family and help us prove that together, We Can and We Will!
We have been members for over 25 years, and are grateful to be able to share how great the Akron Blind Center has been for us. We have thoroughly enjoyed the programs and activities they offer, and schedule our whole week around their offerings.
The organization has been such a critical part of our lives, and our family there is wonderful and so dear to us. Helping each other helps everyone, and is inspirational to be around. People with challenges can show others what enduring through setbacks is all about.
There is never an excuse to be down when you are around our members. They are so uplifting and have so much to give.
Tom and Eunice
I have had the honor to serve on the board as well as experience the classes for braille, art, technology, cooking, as well as meetings, fund raisers, and having speakers in to educate individuals on various resources. The agency doesn’t just believe in teaching those who are visually challenged, but to have members actively participate in training and educating other members.
I am an assistive technology specialist working through out the state of Ohio and a member of the Akron Blind Center Board. Unlike other agencies, this agency is not only supported by the community, but is supported and held up by the actual members whom are also the participants associated with the organization. The agency has not stopped classes and striving to help others during the pandemic, but instead has gone virtual opening up opportunities for those in need or whom want to help and teach to come and provide continual services to the members of ABC. This opportunity also gives them the ability to open doors further out than just within the Akron community and start helping to service others whom haven’t been able to receive classes and services from their local agencies who have closed down.
The executive director is always positive and willing to listen and find away to make ideas happen once the right individuals and resources are available and a safe and clear path to accomplishing them comes together. They strive to open up the actual building again as soon as possible and with the newly found virtual outreach to those members who may live further out to still provide virtually away for them to be part of the excitement and strong friendships formed at the Akron Blind Center. They utilize there donations and funding to serve the members the best way possible and do not waist the precious resources brought in each year to help keep this wonderful program moving forward.
Check out our web site or even call to speak directly with our Executive Director and find out how you can be a member, volunteer, or even donate to this fantastic organization!
Kevin Dobens Board Secretary
Role: Board Member
I have had the honor to serve on the board as well as experience the classes for braille, art, technology, cooking, as well as meetings, fund raisers, and having speakers in to educate individuals on various resources. The agency doesn’t just believe in teaching those who are visually challenged, but to have members actively participate in training and educating other members.
I am an assistive technology specialist working through out the state of Ohio and a member of the Akron Blind Center Board. Unlike other agencies, this agency is not only supported by the community, but is supported and held up by the actual members whom are also the participants associated with the organization. The agency has not stopped classes and striving to help others during the pandemic, but instead has gone virtual opening up opportunities for those in need or whom want to help and teach to come and provide continual services to the members of ABC. This opportunity also gives them the ability to open doors further out than just within the Akron community and start helping to service others whom haven’t been able to receive classes and services from their local agencies who have closed down.
The executive director is always positive and willing to listen and find away to make ideas happen once the right individuals and resources are available and a safe and clear path to accomplishing them comes together. They strive to open up the actual building again as soon as possible and with the newly found virtual outreach to those members who may live further out to still provide virtually away for them to be part of the excitement and strong friendships formed at the Akron Blind Center. They utilize there donations and funding to serve the members the best way possible and do not waist the precious resources brought in each year to help keep this wonderful program moving forward.
Check out our web site or even call to speak directly with our Executive Director and find out how you can be a member, volunteer, or even donate to this fantastic organization!
Kevin Dobens Board Secretary
I moved to Akron from the Big City in New York, which had a lot of opportunities for (what they called) the blind. It was only when I came to the Akron Blind Center that I found a genuine family atmosphere with a broad spectrum ranging from sighted (support and volunteer opportunities) to low vision to totally visually challenged (we are not broken or incapable, and adapt and overcome obstacles in life- just like everyone else).
The one feature that stands out is that we are truly a family and promote the independence of each member and offer countless opportunities to thrive and be contributing members and vibrant community members. The uplifting atmosphere is contagious.
What I noticed about the Akron Blind Center is how we promote individual learning and skills of independence and a sense of accomplishment you can't get anywhere else, down to a person's individual challenges and needs. This is the one place that emphasizes not what a person can't do, but always what they CAN do, as our motto says- We Can and We Will!
I have been affiliated with the Akron Blind Center for a year now. It is a wonderful place. They do amazing work with the visually challenged people of our community. The Executive Director, staff and the board members are outstanding people. They are truly committed to the visually impaired people of our community. They are the best of the best!
The Akron Blind Center provides critical support for the visually challenged in Summit and surrounding counties. Many people depend on the Akron Blind Center for their services and classes, and togetherness. They provide educational resources, training, independence skills, community resources, equipment and materials for classes and food to members.
Pierre Irvine
Board Chair
I have been very fortunate to volunteer and be a part of the Akron Blind Center for 5 years now. When I first started volunteering here, I had never been around anyone with a visual challenge. This amazing group of people inspire me each day! They are truly champions of over coming adversity and challenges! I have such a great fondness of the members here, and also a great respect of this organization and what it stands for and its mission. I am now the proud Membership Secretary, a class leader and I serve on the Board of Directors! We are all one big, happy, close-knit family here and no one is treated as just another member. The Akron Blind Center offers numerous classes and programs for the blind and low vision that are not available anywhere else. This organization also offers social opportunities for those with the same challenges to get together and have a super fun time! We are breaking through stigmas of blindness by doing outreach and volunteering in the community! Our motto is We Can and We Will and our members certainly prove that each day! The inspired Executive Director came up with a phrase that certainly encompasses what this organization is about..... "visions don't require vision ". This is a one of a kind organization with amazing, kind, caring, compassionate, incredible, fun volunteers and members (aka family ❤) and an ExecutiveDirector that is most passionate about the cause and each and every member! Being a part of this organization has taught me that having a visual challenge does not stop you from doing anything a sighted person can do! Our members are all Champions!!
I have had the pleasure of being part of the board this past year and I've witnessed up close the commitment to educate and train the visual challenged community. These programs includes a wide range of classes from cooking classes to computer skills training.
Along with the classes, our membership enjoy many regular social gatherings to enhance the immediate goals of enriching their lifestlye (These have been limited since the covid out break).
In addition to the joint committment of the board of directors and members to serve the visually challenged community, we are constantly attempting to educate the general public not only to the everyday challanges but the job opportunities our members may fill!
As with many nonprofits, we are dependant on donations, trust, fund raisers etc. As treasurer, I have witnessed first hand the great stewardship all funds spent for meat and potatoes and no pork! The greatest proof of that is 100% of the board have donated funds during this past year!
Sincerely Yours,
John Colvin III