I first found out about Sight Loss Services, Inc. through my grandmother who was attending support groups in her home town which is pretty isolated. I then started learning more about the organization through my role in the local Lions Club. I was recently asked to join the board of directors and enthusiastically did so after meeting with the executive director Cynthia Stead and her tireless staff. This organization is providing a much needed service for a whole population who fall between the cracks. Almost all of us begin to have issues with our eyesight as we age and living in an area where there is little public transportation or infrastructure can quickly isolate those who become too impaired to drive or function on their own. Sight Loss Services doesn't pity these people they help find solutions to their problems and help them adapt to what can be a frightening transition.
Review from Guidestar
Over 40% of the residents near where I live are over 65 years of age and many are experiencing some sort of sight loss. The folks at Sight Loss Services are extremely kind and caring. They have recently worked with Thirwood Place (an assisted living facility in Yarmouth, MA where some of my own friends reside) to create a model unit with such amenities as an optical scanning mouse, contrasting wall plates, talking clocks and microwaves and more. If you are not legally blind, there are not a lot of programs out there to get help. It's comforting to know these folks are there.
Review from Guidestar
Sight Loss Services has been a huge help to seniors on Cape Cod with low or impaired vision. They have also been an incredible asset to our senior living community in South Yarmouth. Thirwood Place is one of the only senior living communities with a low vision program for its residents. With the help of Cynthia and Sight Loss Services, we are able to create and design special apartments for seniors with low or impaired vision. We could not have done this without them. They have also been instrumental in running monthly support groups in our community. I was so impressed with them that I decided to volunteer and serve on their Board.
June Wenberg, the founder does not have Macular Degneration, she has Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Ms Stead did not create the transportation network, SLS uses HAC vans supplied by the CCRTA.
SLS does not have a 10 year contract with the MCB.
SLS hired a lawyer to threaten its critics, a great use of limited funds.
SLS's board can't get or keep board members, most board meetings are held despite a lack of quorum.
SLS's board has denied worthy candidates membership on the board because they don't agree with Ms Stead.
SLS hasn't filed their taxes on time either of the past 2 years, also were late with the filing to the Sec of State the last 2 years.
SLS has exchanged meaningful peer to peer support groups for monthly lectures and activities, much to the dismay of the clients who used to attend them.
Don't believe the hype, SLS is nothing like it used to be.
Review from Guidestar
Previous Stories
For over 30 years Sight Loss Services had a stellar reputation serving the Blind and Visually Impaired of Cape Cod. In 2010 Cynthia Stead was hired as the Executive Director. Since then Sight Loss Services reputation has gone downhill. In July 2012, the founder June Wenberg resigned along with her long time assistant. There have also been numerous resignations from the Board of Directors. The numerous support groups, which were the cornerstone of Sight Loss Services, have seen their attendance dwindle. Local Eye Doctors as well as the state Commission for the Blind have lost confidence in the agency and no longer refer clients to the agency. As long as Cynthia Stead I would recommend potential donors and volunteers think twice before getting involved with Sight Loss Services.
My name is John Wenberg and I have volunteered at Sight Loss Services for over 30 years since it was founded.
SightLoss Cape Cod 05/20/2013
Mr. Wenberg's mother resigned from the agency in June of 2012. Some may have expected the agency to fold, but it has continued with the help of the visually impaired support group leaders and our volunteers and friends. Far from refusing to refer clients to our agency, the Mass. Commission for the Blind has just granted us another ten year contract for helping them with support groups, to run through 2013. This is only one of many inaccuracies in Mr. Wenberg's statements. We honor the work of his mother, now 87 years old, and have no desire to argue in an on-line forum. Sight Loss Services, Inc.
SightLoss Cape Cod 05/20/2013
Mr. Wenberg's mother resigned from the agency in June of 2012. Some may have expected the agency to fold, but it has continued with the help of the visually impaired support group leaders and our volunteers and friends. Far from refusing to refer clients to our agency, the Mass. Commission for the Blind has just granted us another ten year contract for helping them with support groups, to run through 2013. This is only one of many inaccuracies in Mr. Wenberg's statements. We honor the work of his mother, now 87 years old, and have no desire to argue in an on-line forum. Sight Loss Services, Inc.
Review from Guidestar
I have been a Board Member of Sight Loss Services for some years. This is an unpaid position and I do it gladly because SLS serves the blind and low-vision community throughout Cape Cod and the Islands.
Recently, under the supervision of Executive Director Cynthia Stead, the organization is expanding its' services to the community. She has established a transportation network that serves a vital need of its' members. Support groups led by volunteers and SLS staff members meet monthly in most towns on the Cape.
Ms. Stead also stays in close contact with the Cape Lions Clubs which also are dedicated to helping the handicapped along with their community work.
SLS serves a vital and unique function on Cape Cod and the Islands and deserves everyones support
Review from Guidestar
SightLoss Cape Cod 09/14/2015
Please read comments from Board of Directors below