David’s Story

Health Care for the Homeless

"I thank my God that I am able to sit here today... this program is worth more than gold."

Like many others who experience hardships due to poor vision, David Dupree was struggling. “When your eyes are bad, there are a lot of things you can’t do,” says David. “When applying for a job, they’d give me an eye exam and I’d have to beg the nurse to pass me because getting a job was too important for me to fail my vision exam.”

David turned to Baltimore’s Health Care for the Homeless. Their partnership with Maryland Society for Sight and Davis Vision provides free vision services for people in need. “They examined me and I received glasses a short time later,” says David. “When I put the glasses on, it was like I was seeing for the first time all over again.”

“I worked for a union for over 20 years and I’m going back to work for them, which will put me in a whole different world,” says David. “I thank my God that I am able to share my story and hopefully, somebody will know that this program is worth more than gold. It’s a priceless program and it’s really helping a lot of people.”
 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston

Ongoing partnership serves Boston youth

"Our experience with Davis Vision is always positive."

Josh Kraft has been involved with Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston for over 20 years and knows firsthand that even basic medical needs for many club members are lacking. Vision care in particular is often completely ignored or overlooked.

“By partnering with Davis Vision to co-host vision screenings we are able to provide more for our members beyond youth development; we are contributing to their health and well- being,” says Josh. “This enhances our role as a community partner and is something the kids and their families appreciate.”

At the most recent screening this past June, nearly 50% of participants received a voucher for a follow-up full exam and eyeglasses. “In other words,” says Josh, “without Davis Vision, at least 100 members would not know they had a vision problem and receive the services to see better.”

Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s relationship with Davis Vision is a lasting one. “We have partnered with Davis Vision for three consecutive years to bring important vision care services to our clubs. Our experience with Davis Vision is always positive and I know we’ll continue with these events for many years to come,” says Josh.

Harry Gates

City Mission of Schenectady

"My overall experience from start to finish was one of comfort and compassion."

Each Focus on America® vision screening that Davis Vision hosts throughout the nation improves the lives of those in need through the efforts of many volunteers, including corporate employees, optometrists, opticians and retailers. After last fall’s event with City Mission, an outreach ministry based in upstate New York, one individual was particularly touched by his experience and the free follow-up services. Harry Gates is a full-time City Mission employee responsible for the supervision of all Shelter Operations, but that wasn’t always the case. Just 3 years ago, Harry, a recovering alcoholic, was homeless and was a guest at the shelter himself. Harry displayed the dedication that earned him promotions and advancement into a leadership role. “On October 28th, I went to a scheduled appointment at Empire Vision Center in Schenectady with a Davis Vision voucher for a free exam,” said Harry Gates. “The optometrist who facilitated my examination really took the time to explain to me exactly what was going on with kindness, which was very comforting,” said Harry.

Harry was prescribed new eyeglasses with bifocals to provide proper vision correction, completely free of charge. “When I returned to the store, the helpful optician walked me through the ins and outs of my new glasses and gave me some great tips for adjusting as well as potential problems to look out for,” said Harry. “My overall experience from start to finish was one of comfort and compassion; just like the Davis Vision retail slogan says, they really are focused on you!” said Harry.

Harry Weaver

Detroit Vision Screenings

"Were it not for Davis Vision, these children would never have glasses"

Partnership brings hope to Michigan kids  

Since 2008, Focus on America® has delivered free eye care services to children in Detroit, where residents have been struggling to cope
with the effects of a beleaguered economy. For two of those three years, Harry Weaver of the Prince Hall Masons of Michigan has worked closely with Davis Vision to bring in members of the community. “The children who receive these services are living in impoverished areas, where things like eyeglasses are a luxury,” said Harry. “Were it not for Davis Vision, many of these children would never have glasses.”

Harry knows that for many attendees at the free vision screenings, the advertised services appear too good to be true. “I spoke with a woman who did not have the resources to get her young son the eyeglasses he desperately needed,” said Harry. “She saw the event flyer while she was collecting bottles and cans off of the street in an effort to get enough money for his glasses. She was near tears when she thanked us over and over again.”

The Brothers of Redeemer Lodge #53 operate in a high-need area, and provide help by feeding the homeless, installing free smoke detectors, and taking advantage of Davis Vision’s commitment to national community outreach. “The ‘Focus on America’ program has given us yet another vehicle by which we can assist those less fortunate than ourselves, and for that we are immensely grateful,” said Harry.