"Just wanted to let you know what a positive and delightful experience my family and I had at the Blind Center on Wednesday. I am 91, have macular degeneration so am vision impaired. We went to your Center hoping to find an aid I could purchase. We had such a great personal service from Hy and were really surprised when he said if the item I chose was in stock that it would be free to me. What a nice surprise! I am so grateful to the Blind Center for this experience and the vision aid I received. Thank you SO much! I have found the vision aid to be very helpful--I truly am thankful and blessed! May God bless you and your staff for the wonderful work and service that you are doing for those of us who are vision impaired." —Virgina
Mission
Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CCBVI) has served thousands of people in San Joaquin County--Acampo, Clements, Escalon, Farmington, French Camp, Lathrop, Linden, Lockeford, Lodi, Manteca, Mountain House, Ripon, Stockton, Thornton, Tracy, Woodbridge--for more than 70 years. CCBVI's mission is to provide the means by which people who are visually impaired can improve and sustain their capabilities and potentials to re-establish purpose and self-esteem in their lives and in society, while leading independent lives.
Vision
To provide the information, tools, and resources that will empower and inspire people who are blind and visually impaired to achieve their full potential.
Administration
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Elsie Hirata, M.B.A.
Executive Director
Sarah Bennett
Director of Accounting
Staff
Fernando Avila
Braille Instructor
Joni Bauer, M.A., M.P.A., Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Grants and Social Media
Hayim "Hy" Cohen, JAWS® Certified, ZoomText® Professional Certification, Accredited Dolphin Guide Trainer, NVDA Expert Certification
Assistive Technology Instructor
Audrey Tan
Administrative Assistant
Jaime Vargas, B.A.
Assistive Technology Instructor
Walter Vela, M.A.
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
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Board of Directors
Officers
- President: Judi A. Howell, Stockton Unified School District (Retired)
- Secretary: Shelia Patterson, Kaiser Permanente
- Treasurer: Roy Patterson, Business Owner (Retired)/Tracy Breakfast Lions Club
Members
- G. Archer Bakerink, Bakerink, McCusker & Belden Law (Retired)
- Julian Cruz, Jr., BancWest
- Scott Fry, Stockton Unified School District
- Daniel C. Nuss, University of the Pacific/Mayor's ADA Roundtable
- Shran Singh
- Bona Son
Honorary Members
- Edgar W. Case
- James R. Cox, Sr.
- Mimi Eberhardt
- Alexandra Ottesen
- William H. Reynolds
The board can be reached by sending an e-mail to Board@CommunityCenterForTheBlind.org
The board of directors checks e-mail weekly.
Board Meetings
The board of directors meets on the third Tuesday of each month, except August and December, at noon. The annual meeting is held concurrently with the May board meeting without special notice as per by-laws. The board can be reached at Board@CommunityCenterForTheBlind.org . The board checks e-mail weekly.