"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 for more than 68 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
Michelle Galvan
Executive Director
Sarah Bennett
Accounting Manager
Elsie Hirata, M.B.A.
Director of Client Services
Staff
Joni Bauer, M.S., Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Orientation & Mobility Specialist / Independent Living Skills Instructor
Hayim "Hy" Cohen, JAWS® certified, Ai Squared ZoomText Professional Certification, Accredited Dolphin Guide Trainer
Assistive Technology Instructor
Marsha Hammond
Braille Instructor
Matthew Morgan, Ai Squared ZoomText Fusion Certification
Assistive Technology Instructor
Laurie Pattingale, B.A., Education Specialist, Visual Impairments and Mild/Moderate Disabilities
Instructor
Janet Whitehouse
Activities Coordinator
|
|
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)
- Lance Calkins, City of Albany Fire Department
- Julian Cruz, Jr., BancWest
- Scott Fry, Stockton Unified School District
- Ellen McKeegan, Hakeem, Ellis & Marengo
- Daniel C. Nuss, University of the Pacific/Mayor's Task Force For Persons With Disabilities
- Alexandra Ottesen, Community Philanthropist
- William Ridley, Stockton Unified School District
Honorary Members
- Edgar W. Case
- James R. Cox, Sr.
- Mimi Eberhardt
- William H. Reynolds
The board can be reached by emailing Board@CommunityCenterForTheBlind.org
The board email is checked weekly by the board of directors.
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 which is checked weekly.