by Carly Eden Stokes | Apr 28, 2025 | Blog, Feature, News
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey celebrated spring and the nonprofit’s own renewal — marked by a move to Morris Plains after 70 years in Denville— at its biggest fundraiser of the year on April 24.
“Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey is a growing and thriving organization,” VLANJ President and CEO Bill Schuldt told the 100 supporters, participants and volunteers who gathered at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes.
VLANJ’s move to Morris Plains in February “has been a spring-like transformation,” said Schuldt, noting the new space was designed specifically to accommodate needs of individuals with vision loss or blindness. “It will enhance the programs we offer and allow us to continue to grow and expand,” he said.
Kelly Bleach is presented the Founder’s Award by Jennifer Singer, Vice President, Development and Communications.
VLANJ honored Trustee Kelly Bleach with its Founder’s Award for her longtime advocacy. Bleach earned a doctorate in leadership and change, her research focused on practices for leveraging technology to advance inclusion of people with disabilities. She worked nearly 30 years with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) in leadership roles.
“Having worked in the field for a long time, I recognize the importance of offering really high-quality services for people with vision loss,” Bleach said. “Whether it’s learning to cross the street safely, or reading a newspaper with a smartphone app, or joining a support group, the VLANJ programs can really make the difference between feeling fear and isolation versus confidence and belonging.”
Bill Schuldt and Senator Bucco are featured.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Alexandra Cerasiello from Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill’s office each presented Bleach with a resolution for her commitment to helping people with vision loss. Bucco called VLANJ “a tremendous organization. What you do for those who are visually impaired cannot be matched.”
‘You Will Never See Again’
Guests listened intently as VLANJ participant Antonio Horta described how he lost his vision in March 2020 after contracting the coronavirus. He paused several times in the telling to wipe tears from his eyes. When he woke in the hospital, he found himself in complete darkness. He tore at imagined bandages over his eyes. “I tried fighting something invisible,” he said.
Following a battery of tests, the head neurologist broke the news to him: “you will never see again.” The virus had caused brain inflammation that irreversibly damaged the occipital lobes responsible for visual perception.
Speaker Antonio is featured with his wife, Consuelo.
The married father of two found out about VLANJ through a local support group. At VLANJ, he learned to prepare simple meals in the kitchen, and then to use the accessibility features on his iPhone. The staff, he said, is very dedicated and very patient. “They give all the time in the world to help us gain our independence back.”
Schuldt surprised Board of Trustees Chair Carl Augusto, whose 9-year-term ends in May, by announcing that the new VLANJ board room would be named in his honor. Augusto led the AFB for 25 years before retiring in 2016. “He brought that gravitas, expertise and national recognition to VLANJ,” Schuldt said. “Thanks to Carl’s leadership we are serving more people in more parts of New Jersey than ever before.”
Founded in 1943, VLANJ offers in-center programs in independent living skills, assistive technology, home safety, adaptive cooking, orientation and mobility, and self-advocacy. It also provides virtual education and support groups, in-home low vision occupational therapy, and real-world excursions to help participants navigate their surroundings with confidence.
Carl Augusto, Board Chair and Bill Schuldt, VLANJ President and CEO are featured.
Expanding Reach
Enrollment in VLANJ’s in-person programs grew 90 percent between 2019 and 2024, increasing from 74 to 141 participants. An additional 159 individuals took part in virtual programs. In 2024 alone, VLANJ reached 949 people through 40 educational and community presentations.
The VLANJ@Home program recently expanded its services area and now provides in-home low vision occupational therapy in Morris, Passaic, Bergen, and Hudson counties, and select sections of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.
During the event, “Visions of Spring,” guests enjoyed performances by visually impaired students from the renowned Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School in New York City and bid on numerous items and experiences in the silent auction.
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters:
- Integrated Project Management
- Modera Wealth Management
- Lee & Associates
- The Bleach Sisters
- The McCann Family Foundation
- Commplus
- Dyer Landscaping
- Dex Imaging
- Mutual of America
- NJM Insurance Group
- New Jersey Natural Gas
- McIntee Fusaro Del Corral, LLC
- Norman Dean Home for Services, Inc.
Donations to VLANJ are greatly appreciated, and can be made using this link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E292070&id=1
by Carly Eden Stokes | Mar 2, 2025 | Blog, Feature, News, Press Releases
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey celebrated the grand opening of its new Morris Plains location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 27, welcoming community leaders, supporters and participants to experience the vibrant, accessible space designed to empower people with vision loss.
“This beautiful new home will allow for the continued development of exciting programs that foster our mission of helping each individual live an independent and fulfilling life,” VLANJ President and CEO Bill Schuldt told the nearly 30 guests. New Jersey Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and VLANJ Board of Trustees President Carl Augusto cut the ribbon, and Morris Plains Council President Sal Cortese presented VLANJ with the keys to the town, nicknamed “The Community of Caring.”
“We are honored that representatives from across the community took the time to join us in recognizing the important endeavor of improving services for people who live with vision loss,” said Jennifer Singer, VLANJ Vice President for Development and Communications.
Among the guests were New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Executive Director Bernice M. Davis, Morris County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Meghan Hunscher, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill staff member Megan Waters, Morris Plains Police Chief Michael Koroski, and five VLANJ trustees.
A Space for Growth and Community
The 6,600-square-foot center, built to meet the growing needs of people with vision loss, buzzed with activity as guests peeked in on a cooking class, watched participants at work in the art studio, and listened to the rhythmic beats of a drumming session.
“I’ve always loved the energy and passion that VLANJ brings to the blind community,” Davis said. She praised the facility’s thoughtful design, noting, “it’s bright, and the dark purple doors provide good contrast.” She also admired the NaviLens system, which uses smart-device-detectable QR codes to aid navigation.
Morris Plains Council Member Nancy Verga shared a personal connection to VLANJ, recalling her grandmother’s time in the program when it was the New Jersey Foundation for the Blind. “When she lost her sight, it was so important to her to be able to continue to cook and make beds and keep house,” Verga said. “She was able to maintain her independence.”
Bill Schuldt gives a tour of VLANJ’s new Morris Plains location.
VLANJ, one of New Jersey’s longest-serving nonprofits for adults with vision loss or blindness, operated in Denville for 70 years before relocating. The new space allows VLANJ to accommodate a 90% increase in in-person enrollment since 2019 and meet the rising demand for programs that empower individuals with vision loss, Schuldt said. Vision impairment in New Jersey is increasing 2-3% annually due to an aging population.
“VLANJ’s new home is exclusively ours, designed specifically to meet the needs of people with vision loss or blindness,” added Vice President of Programs Elsa Zavoda. The facility features an art and pottery studio, a yoga and fitness room, a training kitchen, and dedicated spaces for technology classes, support groups, and self-advocacy programs.
Longtime VLANJ participant Ursula Rucki was impressed. “It’s nice and bright, and the setup is good,” she said. “People are excited to be in a new place.”
Honoring VLANJ’s Legacy
Black-framed photos along the new facility’s hallways highlight the nonprofit’s progression over the decades. VLANJ’s roots date back to 1943 in Newark, where adults with vision loss formed a social club to support each other and challenge societal biases. By 1955, the organization moved to Denville as New Jersey Foundation for the Blind and launched a summer camp for blind women.
VLANJ expanded from life-skills training to wellness programs and technology education. Adopting its current name in 2016, VLANJ added low vision occupational therapy. During the pandemic, it successfully transitioned to virtual programming, which remains a valuable resource for those who are homebound.
Black-framed photos along the new facility’s hallways highlight VLANJ’s progression over the decades.
Today, VLANJ continues to innovate and expand its reach:
• In-person participants grew from 74 in 2019 to 141 in 2024, with an additional 159 individuals engaged in virtual programs.
• Education and community programs reached 880 people through 40 presentations in 2024.
• The VLANJ@Home program, launched in September 2023, had provided in-home low vision occupational therapy to 36 individuals by January 2025.
VLANJ offers in-center programs Monday through Thursday, including independent living skills, assistive technology, home safety, adaptive cooking, orientation and mobility, and self-advocacy. It also provides virtual education and support groups, in-home low vision occupational therapy, and real-world excursions to help participants navigate their surroundings with confidence.
“VLANJ offers classes that say to me, you are more than your physical challenges,” said Liz Edwards, a participant and self-advocacy group facilitator. “It reignites the fire and the fight within me.”
New and Expanded Services in 2025
VLANJ will collaborate with the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to host three in-person events connecting participants through intergenerational mentorship. The nonprofit recently hired a full-time technology coordinator to offer more group and one-on-one coaching. With a third orientation and mobility specialist, VLANJ will expand center-based training and real-world outings to help participants gain confidence in navigating their environments. This spring, VLANJ is also launching a creative writing and poetry class focused on self-expression.
Support VLANJ at ‘Visions of Spring’
VLANJ’s biggest fundraiser of the year, “Visions of Spring – An Evening of Music and Inspiration,” will bring supporters together for a night of celebration and impact. The event, set for April 24 at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes, will help sustain VLANJ’s vital programs. For tickets and sponsorship options, click here. Questions? Contact Jennifer Singer at jsinger@vlanj.org or (973) 627-0055, ext. 2.
by Pat Austin | Nov 19, 2024 | Blog, Feature, News
An image of the front side of VLANJ’s annual appeal card is featured. It contains the text outlined below in addition to a headshot of Trisha Ebel in the top left corner. To the right is an animation of a woman with flowing hair standing outside with her back to us. She is wearing a blue skirt whipped by the wind with white flowers on the bottom.
Throughout our 81-year history, Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey has been a leader in delivering innovative programs and services for individuals with vision loss. What began as a summer residential camp for women with vision loss has grown into an organization offering unique, state-of-the-art programs that continue to empower and transform lives.
Trisha’s Story
Trisha Ebel, VLANJ’s Outreach Specialist, shares her story below:
It was a Monday evening and Mom was heating up gravy on the stove. It was leftovers – boy how I loved her cooking!
I was nine years old, watching The Brady Bunch on TV, when suddenly I felt the need to cover my right eye with my hand. I realized I couldn’t see out of my left! I told my mom and she put her hand over her heart and gasped for air – something was terribly wrong.
Cataracts in my left eye led to Glaucoma at ten years old. And within a year, my right eye had cataracts as well.
I had seven surgeries to remove the cataracts and stabilize Glaucoma and high pressure. I was so frightened in the hospital – these memories have stayed with me, making me feel unsafe.
I got through middle and high school, until senior year when I was unable to read regular size print. Nobody wanted to hang out with me. I was put down. I was called names. I became isolated and thought all was lost.
Later, I studied to be a travel agent but lost every job due to my vision loss. I felt defeated. My feeling of unworthiness was getting worse.
In 2006, a whole new world opened up for me when I found VLANJ and began classes. Being part of peer support, Orientation and Mobility, JAWS Technology, cooking, and advocacy helped me overcome my fears and ultimately, accept my vision loss.
Upon completing my programs, I felt a sense of total freedom, independence, and dignity. I was wearing a blue denim skirt with white flowers along the bottom. The skirt flared out and up when I spun around. I thought to myself, “The flowers feel like they are dancing!” I raised my arms and smiled.
Since that day, my smile has never left my face. I learned – vision does not affect how you feel!
Today, I have limited sight in my right eye, so I wear glasses to define objects in the right eye and balance the left. Cloudy days are the best days with no sun or glare. I can still struggle, but my life is full!
An image of the back side of VLANJ’s annual appeal card is featured. It contains the text outlined above and below in addition to an animation of a child in a red sweater and a blue skirt seated on the floor watching television in the top left corner. To the right, on the bottom, is an image of white daisies.
Support VLANJ
Vision loss is devastating and services for adults are limited. For over 80 years, VLANJ has empowered people with vision loss or blindness by providing support, education, and training in
independent living skills and assistive technology.
Your gift will continue to grow programs and services here at VLANJ.
To support our annual appeal, please use this link to visit our donate page.
Thank you for supporting Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey.
by Pat Austin | Oct 18, 2024 | Blog, Events, Feature, News
Thanks to you, we exceeded our goal of raising $10,000 for our 2024 Day of Giving to support vital mental health initiatives!
We had such an incredible celebration with our wonderful program participants, our dedicated VLANJ team members, and a special meditation session led by the amazing Diane Lang.
We are so grateful for all the support. Together, we can continue to uplift, support, and empower those living with blindness and low vision.
A huge thank you again to everyone who helped us reach our goal!
We look forward to all that next year has in store – stay tuned for next year’s celebration!
Participants of VLANJ’s 2024 Day of Giving event are seated around a table, smiling, and enjoying a meal together.
Participants wave and smile warmly at the camera.
Diane Lang presents a meditation session to an attentive group of participants.
VLANJ staff standing in front of a mural, celebrating the successful event.
Did you miss our Day of Giving? You can still donate and make an impact. Thank you!
by Carly Eden Stokes | Dec 13, 2022 | Blog, News
VLANJ’s 2022 Annual Appeal letter (excerpt)
Who Is Lisette?
Lisette is a vibrant artist, mother, wife, and teacher. She loves her life. She is also functionally blind.
Becoming a mother had always been her plan. But the unthinkable cannot be planned. Complications during Lisette’s pregnancy with twins led to a stroke and significant vision loss. Brokenhearted, she thought, “Will I be able to care for my children without my sight?” To add to her pain, Lisette was now also an artist without sight. Feeling hopeless, she put down her brushes for twelve years.
Lisette’s return to art
Twelve years ago at VLANJ, Lisette sits before a blank canvas, crying. With gentle encouragement from the art therapist, she tentatively makes a few strokes. The therapist outlines the strokes with an epoxy glue gun, creating a 3-D surface. Lisette, feeling the outline, starts to fill the spaces with color and texture, creating her first painting.
Fast forward to today, Thursday morning art classes at VLANJ with Lisette now the teacher. She encourages the group to explore colors by linking them to senses of taste and smell. Like the color purple… plums are purple. How does a plum smell, taste, and feel? Sweet, sticky? Purple is now sweet and sticky!
They proceed to create beautiful works of art!
“With vision loss, art is seen with the mind’s eye and then expressed through color and texture.”
What Is Art?
Art is paint, textures, colors. Images that can be felt, touched, and seen…
A story of life and loss. A rebirth of mother and artist. For Lisette, the journey was not easy – but she will be the first to tell you, that along with the tools and skills she gained at VLANJ, came the confidence and motivation to live the life she always dreamed of.
“Be my friend,” Lisette invites her students, “and we will create together.”
Vision loss is devastating, and services for adults are limited. For almost 80 years, VLANJ has empowered people with vision loss or blindness by providing support, education, and training in independent living skills and assistive technology. Here, thousands have been given the “vision” of life’s possibilities.
To support our Annual Appeal, please visit our donate page: www.vlanj.org/donations/
Your gift will continue to grow programs and services at VLANJ. Thank you!
by Carly Eden Stokes | Dec 11, 2022 | Blog, News
For Giving Tuesday this year, we honored Claudia Schreiber, a former VLANJ program participant, advocate, and Board of Trustee. Claudia lost her vision completely in 2005, and diligently figured out ways to adapt. At the time, she was in her mid-40s and had two children in elementary school. When Claudia learned about Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey (then called New Jersey Foundation for the Blind) 11 years ago, she had her driver take her the 50-plus miles from her home in Marlboro Township to the program in Denville. “At first it was strange. I’d never met a blind person before,” she said. Claudia explained: “I’d always tried to pass as a sighted person because I was ashamed of being blind.”
Claudia began attending VLANJ weekly, learning skills to reclaim her independence and rekindling her passion for art. The first pieces she created were self-portraits with clay. Her VLANJ instructor “gave me the courage to get back into my life,” said Claudia, who’d earned a degree in art and sociology from New York University in 1982. “I fell in love with this organization.”
Claudia devoted her time to empowering others who lost their sight, and was dedicated to lightening the burden of others. Claudia died May 26, 2021 from colon cancer at age 61, leaving behind dear family and friends, and a legacy that will fortify VLANJ programs for years to come. Days before her death, she established The Claudia Schreiber Program Fund. She asked that friends and loved ones continue to contribute to the VLANJ fund in her memory.
For Giving Tuesday 2022, we supported Claudia’s fund and honored her legacy.
