Basic Organization Information
New Hampshire Association for the Blind
- Physical Address:
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Concord, NH
03301 4592
- EIN:
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02-0223606
- Web URL:
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www.sightcenter.org
- NTEE Category:
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P Human Services
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P86 Blind/Visually Impaired Centers, Services
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G Disease, Disorders, Medical Disciplines
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G41 Eye Diseases, Blindness and Vision Impairments
- Year Founded:
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1933
- Ruling Year:
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1949
- How This Organization Is Funded:
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Public Support - $501,648
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Service Revenue - $600,603
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Endowment Spending Draw - $545,981
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Mission Statement
Our mission is "to advance the independence of persons who are blind and visually impaired". The New Hampshire Association for the Blind is the only provider of specialized professional vision rehabilitation services serving all ages statewide. The majority of clients are age 60 and older. In addition to the direct services The Association provides information and referral, and has a public education program featuring speakers' bureau, mailings, school and service club presentations etc. to meet the goal of helping people understand that help is available when vision is lost or diminished. Prevention of blindness programs are also stressed. Our vision is to be able to help all who need specialized vision rehabilitation services regardless of ability to pay.
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Impact Statement
The Association provides direct one-on-one professional specialized rehabilitation services to 1,500+ persons of all ages throughout New Hampshire annually. Also, over 300 persons participate in group services such as peer support groups and class training. The Association keeps an "active" client database of over 5,200 persons who have received services and are likely to need additional help as their needs change.
Revenue and Expenses
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Financial Statements
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Chief Executive
Mr. George F. Theriault, BA, CFRE
Term:
Since
Oct
1996
Chief Executive Profile:
George F. Theriault, President & CEO was appointed in 1996 following 15 years as Vice President for Development. During his career he has led two successful capital campaigns that raised over 3.5 million dollars; created the McGreal Sight Center facility in the State Capital; and initiated the majority of the Association's public education and fund-raising programs. He is widely known as a visionary and entrepreneurial leader among New Hampshire non-profits and as an expert in planned giving. He is former Chairman of the Governor's Committee on Volunteerism under two Governors, and Board member for the New Hampshire Council on Fund-Raising (CONFR) and the Northern NE Chapter of the Association of Fund-Raising Professionals (the former NSFRE) and he holds the coveted Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) title. Mr. Theriault is dedicated to carrying out the Association's mission of service as the coming decades will bring significant increases in the need for vision rehabilitation as the population ages.
CEO/Executive Director Statement:
In 2012, the Association will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. As an all-New Hampshire organization founded in Hancock, NH, the Association's certified rehabilitation professional staff makes "house calls" anywhere in the state and neighboring communities of Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
As the population of New Hampshire has a high proportion of Seniors over age 65, the incidence of severe vision loss is especially high and fast becoming more apparent as this demographic is rapidly growing. The Association has been successful in attracting philanthropic support throughout its history and is known as a vital and pro-active organization filling an urgent community need. Expecting a doubling of need for our service within the decade, The Association is planning significant new Marketing and Awareness-Building activities to make people more aware that help is available, and to attract long-term sustaining charitable support.
Officers for Fiscal Year
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Highest Paid Employees & Their Compensation
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Program:
Individual, family and group counseling
- Budget:
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--
- Category:
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Human Services
- Population Served:
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General Public/Unspecified
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Blind and Vision Impaired
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Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.)
Program Description:
The Association's core services include: Individual, family and group counseling to help clients adjust to vision loss; Low Vision Services including clinical evaluation, prescription of aids and appliances, and training in their use; Rehabilitation Teaching to help people learn daily living skills necessary for living with diminished sight; Orientation and Mobility Training to teach safe travel skills in the home, community, workplace and other environments; Assistive Technology, and Braille Services including computer training, Braille Teaching, and demonstration of assistive technology; Educational Services providing Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Specialists who work with school age children in the school and community setting; Volunteer Services; Group Services including classes such as healthy cooking, diabetes management, crafts, computer training, and Peer Support Counseling groups.
Program Long-Term Success:
Expanded Senior Services Enhancement project in greater Manchester to identify and serve more elderly needy men and women under grants from the Mary Gale Foundation and the Pearl Manor Fund of the John and Mary Elliot Foundation. This project to help the most vulnerable of the elderly blind and help them remain independent and safe, is seen as a model to expand into other areas of the state in future years.
The Educational Services Program currently employs 4 specialists (Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Therapists) who work exclusively with blind and visually impaired children age 3-20 from first grade through high school. These staff currently work with 69 students in 25 different School Districts in NH. We hope to expand this program as there is a shortage of such specialists and consequently many blind children receive inadequate schooling and training.
Ultimately our goal is to provide services leading to independence for all blind and visually impaired persons of all ages living in New Hampshire.
Program Short-Term Success:
Program Success Monitored by:
All clients are called by a volunteer within one week of completing a service to determine their satisfaction and progress. Evaluation of program effectiveness and individual outcomes is ongoing by professional services staff and administration. The Association is reaccredited every 5 years by the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired which requires annual evaluations. Monthly reports and evaluations are provided to the Board of Directors. An Annual Report is published and broadly disseminated.
Program Success Examples:
Funding Needs
The Association relies very heavily on philanthropy - gifts and grants from individuals, foundations and trusts, corporate support, service clubs, and special events to fund its services and programs (68% of revenues).
Volunteer Needs
Volunteers are sought, recruited, and utilized in support of individual clients as well as for the Board, fund-raising, and special events.
All volunteers receive a comprehensive orientation and, for those interacting with clients, thorough background checks and references.
Request for In-Kind Contributions