Save Florida Lions Conklin Center For The Blind
Tax deductible
Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Florida Lions Conklin Centers for the Blind Inc. (Conklin Center for the Blind), and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.
More information about Florida Lions Conklin Centers for the Blind Inc. (Conklin Center for the Blind): To help children and adults who are blind with additional disabilities be independent and contributing citizens. We strive to eliminate all barriers separating people who are blind from full community participation.
The only light in our lives is slowly dimming.
We have learned to cope with blindness, or visual impairment together with other disabilities… but now we are in danger of losing those who continue to teach us how as we face the world each day.
The Conklin Center for the Blind has lost its state funding…but some staff members are continuing to help those of us who have graduated from its classes.
We need your financial help so we can continue to have a world in which
we can live a full and healthy life.
The Conklin Center
The Conklin Center has been serving clients since 1979. It was the vision of a Lion, Millard Conklin, and since its inception the Center has helped the blind and visually impaired who have additional disabilities to obtain jobs, learn money management and gain skills so they can prosper in the community and live independently rather than depend on the government for all their needs. The combination of helping the blind or visually impaired who have additional disabilities makes this a unique facility. It is the only one of its kind in the country and, as far as we know, in the world.
What We Accomplished
On average, 85% of our graduates became employed each year or continued their education and found homes of their own choosing.
Our unique offering, found only at the Conklin Center, is a lifetime follow-up of Supported Living and Supported Employment coaching for our graduates.
This, with your help, we are trying to continue while we work to return to our total services. Our graduates and their employers depend on this.
Those services include student training in independent living, financial literacy, employment, assistive technology and orientation and mobility.
Some Comments From Graduates
“I want to let former staff know how much they were appreciated (and also to)
let people on the higher end of the spectrum know how truly grateful (I am) for myself
as well as other students (who) appreciated and benefited from this place. It provided opportunity, experience and potential growth that some of the students there had never been given before.
“Conklin was my first and only second chance at a better life after my car accident in 2013 because it took my vision and this was the only program made accessible to me to re-learn how to do my day-to-day activities independently as a newly visually impaired individual.
“It breaks my heart to think about how many other second chances will be thrown away if and when this program is discontinued. I learned most, if not all, of my adult life lessons while in this program and I can honestly say I probably wouldn’t rather have it any other way.”
Lorie, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and vision loss
in an automobile accident
“The idea of receiving one-on-one training to learn how to cook, clean, get around on my own, manage money and get a job seemed like a good match for me. My mom had been taking care of most of my daily living needs. Although I appreciated it, I knew it would not help me become independent.
“As long as we pray to God, this place will rise again. It is untouchable and no one is allowed to try to completely stop it from operating.”
Ruslan, a 22-year-old from Russia who now works and
lives independently
Why Your Donation Matters And Why You Should Help
Lorie, Ruslan and many others are employed and live independently as a result of their experiences at the Conklin Center. By donating, you can help graduates like them continue to FULFILL their goals of job placement and living independently. While there is government assistance for some needs, as you can see from the comments of Lorie and Ruslan, the supportive services offered only by the Conklin Center are critical to the future success of our graduates.
To continue to offer the full services we promised to the graduates, we need $345,000 per year ($28,750 per month) that is not covered by the government. PLEASE HELP US.
SPREAD THE WORD!!
PLEASE SHARE THE LINK TO YOUR FACEBOOK TIMELINE!
More information about Florida Lions Conklin Centers for the Blind Inc. (Conklin Center for the Blind): To help children and adults who are blind with additional disabilities be independent and contributing citizens. We strive to eliminate all barriers separating people who are blind from full community participation.
The only light in our lives is slowly dimming.
We have learned to cope with blindness, or visual impairment together with other disabilities… but now we are in danger of losing those who continue to teach us how as we face the world each day.
The Conklin Center for the Blind has lost its state funding…but some staff members are continuing to help those of us who have graduated from its classes.
We need your financial help so we can continue to have a world in which
we can live a full and healthy life.
The Conklin Center
The Conklin Center has been serving clients since 1979. It was the vision of a Lion, Millard Conklin, and since its inception the Center has helped the blind and visually impaired who have additional disabilities to obtain jobs, learn money management and gain skills so they can prosper in the community and live independently rather than depend on the government for all their needs. The combination of helping the blind or visually impaired who have additional disabilities makes this a unique facility. It is the only one of its kind in the country and, as far as we know, in the world.
What We Accomplished
On average, 85% of our graduates became employed each year or continued their education and found homes of their own choosing.
Our unique offering, found only at the Conklin Center, is a lifetime follow-up of Supported Living and Supported Employment coaching for our graduates.
This, with your help, we are trying to continue while we work to return to our total services. Our graduates and their employers depend on this.
Those services include student training in independent living, financial literacy, employment, assistive technology and orientation and mobility.
Some Comments From Graduates
“I want to let former staff know how much they were appreciated (and also to)
let people on the higher end of the spectrum know how truly grateful (I am) for myself
as well as other students (who) appreciated and benefited from this place. It provided opportunity, experience and potential growth that some of the students there had never been given before.
“Conklin was my first and only second chance at a better life after my car accident in 2013 because it took my vision and this was the only program made accessible to me to re-learn how to do my day-to-day activities independently as a newly visually impaired individual.
“It breaks my heart to think about how many other second chances will be thrown away if and when this program is discontinued. I learned most, if not all, of my adult life lessons while in this program and I can honestly say I probably wouldn’t rather have it any other way.”
Lorie, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and vision loss
in an automobile accident
“The idea of receiving one-on-one training to learn how to cook, clean, get around on my own, manage money and get a job seemed like a good match for me. My mom had been taking care of most of my daily living needs. Although I appreciated it, I knew it would not help me become independent.
“As long as we pray to God, this place will rise again. It is untouchable and no one is allowed to try to completely stop it from operating.”
Ruslan, a 22-year-old from Russia who now works and
lives independently
Why Your Donation Matters And Why You Should Help
Lorie, Ruslan and many others are employed and live independently as a result of their experiences at the Conklin Center. By donating, you can help graduates like them continue to FULFILL their goals of job placement and living independently. While there is government assistance for some needs, as you can see from the comments of Lorie and Ruslan, the supportive services offered only by the Conklin Center are critical to the future success of our graduates.
To continue to offer the full services we promised to the graduates, we need $345,000 per year ($28,750 per month) that is not covered by the government. PLEASE HELP US.
SPREAD THE WORD!!
PLEASE SHARE THE LINK TO YOUR FACEBOOK TIMELINE!
Fundraising team (4)
Mahyar Okhovatian
Organizer
Raised $400 from 5 donations
Daytona Beach, FL
Florida Lions Conklin Centers for the Blind Inc. (Conklin Center for the Blind)
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
Mary Pezzo
Team member
Raised $50 from 1 donation
Nancy Epps
Team member
Rebecca Deeb
Team member
This team raised $1,200 from 13 other donations.
