Blind Childrens Center in Los Angeles
www.blindchildrenscenter.org
Croatia Connection:
The Croatia community continues to grow its support for the Blind Childrens Center of Los Angeles. It started over 37 years ago, when a young family from Croatia had dreams and
expectations, anticipating the birth of their child with joy and excitement. They imagine what the infant will look like and plan for the future. In most cases, these hopes are fulfilled with the birth of a healthy child.
But what if the baby was visually impaired? No parental reaction is typical, for everyone deals with feelings in a personal way. One thing, however, is certain: the impact of child blindness upon the family can be devastating due to the demands that are made on each family member in terms of time, energy and emotions.
The Blind Childrens Center (BCC) is non-profit family-centered agency which serves children with visual impairments from birth to school age. The programs and services help the children acquire skills and build their independence. Founded by the Delta Gammas of Southern California, the Blind Childrens Center is the only agency in the greater Los Angeles area that provides an extensive range of services to children who are blind and partially sighted and their entire family.
The Center utilizes its expertise and experience to serve families and professionals worldwide through support services, education and research. The BCC is considered a model educational
institution. As a matter of fact, we were the first to introduce cane use to children under the age of 3.
Today, many members of the Croatia community have come together to help in all aspects of the Blind Childrens Center including leadership in our Board of Directors, funding research at the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, volunteering and running in the Los Angeles Marathon to raise funds and participation at our Annual Golf Event at the Riviera Country Club. This golf event draws golfers from all over America including celebrities like Peter Falk, Joe Mantegna, Pat Boone, Mike Shanahan, and many others.
The Croatia connection with our Center is strong and continues to grow on a yearly basis. To find out more about the Blind Childrens Center, please visitwww.blindchildrenscenter.org or contact us at 323-664-2153.
Mission Statement
The Blind Childrens Center is a family-centered agency which serves children with visual impairments from birth to school-age. The center-based and home-based programs and services help the children acquire skills and build their independence. The Center utilizes its expertise and experience to serve families and professionals worldwide through support services, education, and research.
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General
The Blind Childrens Center was founded in 1938 by members of the Southern California Delta Gamma Fraternity under the leadership of Dr. Lillian Ray Titcomb. The Center serves over 100 families every year through the infant and preschool programs. The majority of children served live in the greater Los Angeles area. Fifty-two percent of the students are totally blind, 28% have functional vision, and 20% are reverse mainstream. The client population reflects the diversity of Los Angeles: 66% Latino, 22% Caucasian, 4% Asian, and 8% African American. Center and home-based services are free of charge. The Blind Childrens Center is funded entirely by private philanthropic support. It receives no financial support from federal, state, or local governments and it is not a United Way agency. Support, with the exception of modest revenues from the sale of the Center’s publications, is derived from volunteer and staff fund-raising efforts, which are supported by corporations, small businesses, civic and employee groups, charitable foundations and concerned individuals. |
Dear Nenad,
Ina Zec asked that I get in contact with you and introduce myself.
Ina and I serve on the Board of Directors for the Blind Childrens Center in Los Angeles.
Besides the Center, we also share a special connection - my wife's family is Croatian. Her uncle Nicky was also a very noted authority on Tesla and did much research on his life's accomplishments. He recently passed away, but left his research with my wife's cousin Brian who is also very knowledgeable on Tesla and his work.
Brian has held several Tesla conventions and currently provides special effects in Hollywood using the Tesla Coils he has built. His work was most recently featured on the show - Fear Factor.(op-ed:www.brianb.org/tesla.htm )
I'm continued to be amazed how we are able to bring together a sense a community regardless of where we live. Over the many years Ina and I have served at the Center on behalf of the children, we continually meet folks within the Croatian community. I would welcome an opportunity to speak with you more about the work we are doing at the Center and to learn more about you.
Kindest regards,
Mark West
President, Blind Childrens Center
marktwest@socal.rr.com
Your help is deeply appreciated
The Blind Childrens Center is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization; IRS Tax ID # 95-1656369. We rely completely on private contributions. Supporters include individuals, civic and employee groups, foundations, and corporations. We take no government funding and we are not a United Way agency.
Your contribution goes a long way. One-hundred percent of donor contributions directly support the Center's programs. Administrative costs are supported through earnings on investments. The Center's home and center-based educational and family programs are free of charge.
