Bridging Di-Vision: Homeless Families Across NYC Receive Free Eye Exams and Eyeglasses, by Erin DeGregorio

Women in Need (Win) – New York City’s largest provider of shelter and services for homeless families – partnered with Brooklyn-based eyewear company Vontélle to kick off Healthy Vision Month, which is recognized annually in May. Together, they provided – and will continue to provide – free eyeglasses and eye exams for families experiencing homelessness across New York City.

“At Vontélle, our mission is to address vision health disparities in deserving communities of color,” said Vontélle Co-Founder and CEO Tracy Green, who launched the company last July alongside Nancey Harris, Vontélle co-founder and COO.

“That’s why, when we saw an opportunity to support Win families with vision care who primarily are from Black and Latinx communities, it was a no brainer for us to get involved.”

Green, a former chief financial officer of a hospital, also noted the impact inaccessibility has, particularly on children experiencing homelessness, when they can’t receive regular eye exams. “Imagine as a 10-year-old if you didn’t have glasses,” she posed, “mainly because you’re in a shelter and your parents can’t afford them because they’re expensive.”

Through this initiative, Vontélle is collaborating with several optometrists and organizations – including Optical Academy and ClearVision – to provide these pop-up, pro bono services to hundreds of families in Win’s 13 shelters until 2023. New York City-based optometrists Dr. Camille Cohen, Dr. Tomara Young, and Dr. Obinna Akano agreed to provide free, private eye examinations to homeless families through this initiative.

“When I was contacted by the Vontélle team to get involved, it became important for us to
discuss the visual needs of children, which are often overlooked,” ClearVision President David Friedfeld said. “Eyecare is essential for learning, development, and education.”

Vontélle also enlisted the help of Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, which generously provided a grant that covers the costs of prescription lenses for Win families.

“Through this partnership, hundreds of families across New York City will finally be able to have proper vision,” said Sharon Page, Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation’s executive director. “We are thrilled to play a role in helping families in shelters receive proper eye exams and eyeglass lenses that best suit their vision needs.”

“Every New Yorker deserves equal access to high-quality optical care, regardless of where they live,” added Christine C. Quinn, CEO and president of Win. “We are truly grateful to Vontélle, the Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, the optical companies, and optometrists for providing Win families with the gift of sight that’ll help our kids thrive in school.”

During the first eye exam pop-up, held May 19 at a Win site in Sheepshead Bay, 60 adults and children got their eyes checked out by four optometrists. Of those 60, 35 people received free frames and prescription lenses – provided by ClearVision and Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation, respectively.

The second pop-up was held late July at a Bronx site.

Organizations or vendors interested in donating glasses or their time to be a part of the Win-Vontélle initiative can visit www.vontelle.com.