Ford Philanthropy Helps Expand Access to Eyecare for Ohio Students

“Every child in every school, everywhere in the country, should have the eye care they need to succeed in school and life,” says Austin Beutner, Founder of Vision to Learn. “Ford Philanthropy's support is helping to ensure more children in Ohio get the help they need.” 

Nearly 250,000 students in Ohio go without glasses, revealing the gap in access to essential eye care for many families. This October, Vision to Learn kicked off the next phase of its work with a grant from Ford Philanthropy to provide essential services for 15,000 students in Cleveland and Lorain County, covering over 4,000 new prescription glasses and 5,000 eye exams.

At their first event in East Cleveland last month, nearly 40 students from Northwood Middle School tried on new eyeglasses they received during the kickoff celebration to mark the Ford Philanthropy and Vision to Learn partnership. 

A New Approach to Student Care

"The program offered by Vision to Learn is an outstanding resource for our students and their families," said Superintendent Ann Schloss. "We truly cannot express enough gratitude for partners like Vision to Learn, who provide essential educational tools on campus and support students in reaching their goals." 

When access to eyecare is improved, children can perform better academically and boost their confidence. The program uniquely meets students and their families where they are, going directly to their schools, fitting glasses on site and allowing parents to remain at work while their children’s needs are met.

Since its 2012 founding, Vision to Learn has helped more than 2.5 million children with vision care and over 400,000 with glasses. To support this Ford Philanthropy nonprofit partner, visit Vision to Learn.