NIB Participates in United We Serve

Having trouble viewing this video? Click here to download QuickTime.

NIB is encouraging 100% participation in the United We Serve initiative. We would like all of our associated agencies to submit volunteer opportunities and events online at www.serve.gov/. We're under 1 month away from the September 11th deadline; it's time to show full support.

Download easy to follow directions on how to log on and register your volunteer effort under NIB at serve.gov.

For more information on how to register your volunteer events and opportunities contact kjamieson@nib.org.

National Industries for the Blind Jump-Starts Reading Program with Local Community Center

National Industries for the Blind (NIB) is a non-profit organization benefiting those who are blind or visually impaired by helping them gain economic and personal independence through employment opportunites from the AbilityOne program, so when we heard about United We Serve, we knew our employees would be eager to get involved.

In our efforts to contribute, we have joined with the local Charles Houston Community Center in Alexandria, Virginia to initiate a summer reading program designed to encourage kids to read and to help improve literacy rates during the summer months. NIB kick-started this reading program Monday, July 27 through Thursday, July 30, and dubbed it “Education Week”. NIB employees, both blind and sighted, took the time to volunteer with the children at the center.

Throughout the week, they read to children of different ages, ranging from five to 12 years-old. They also took some time to teach the children about what it is like being blind or visually impaired.

Some of the week’s activities included Elizabeth Shelby and Rebecca Bridges, an NIB employee who is blind, reading a twin vision, Braille and print, version of “Helen Keller and the Big Storm” to the kids.

“It’s a little cliché,” Bridges said jokingly, but the children enjoyed listening and learning about the life of Helen Keller. After they finished reading, Bridges passed the Braille book around for the children to see and feel.

During another session at the center, Catherine Schultz and Stephanie Perry took some time after reading to explain to the children what it means to have impaired vision. They gave each child a card that enabled them to visualize the difference stages of vision loss when you hold the card up to your eyes.

The last two days at the center, NIB employees interacted with older age groups and organized activities where the kids were blindfolded to get a glimpse of what it might be like to be blind. “This is really hard,” said one young girl from the center when she tried to stand up.

The kids had a great time with our employees and asked us to come back soon. There’s even a possibility of a field trip to the NIB office to show them what we do and introduce them to technologies that enable people who are blind or visually impaired to hold jobs.
With funds decreasing for the Charles Houston Community Center, we hope to continue our reading program throughout the rest of the summer and into the fall, while also making ourselves available to kids for tutoring.

What we love about the United We Serve initiative is the domino effect that occurs when you do something for the better and help in the community. We are happy to say that we have already inspired others and hope it continues. Two 11-year-old girls from the community center approached Connie Wilson and Derrick Draughn at the end of their reading session hoping to get advice about where they could read to younger children, too.

NIB extends a special thanks to Rebecca Bridges, Elizabeth Shelby, Catherine Schultz, Stephanie Perry, Michelle Hobby, Sarah Schraven, Connie Wilson and Derrick Draughn for volunteering at the Charles Houston Community Center.

Written by: Kelly Jamieson. Kelly helped to coordinate all the readers and gets photo credits for all the pictures during Education Week.

United We Serve Volunteer Experiences Personal Growth By Reading With Kids

First reading service experience today at the Charles Houston Recreation Center here in Alexandria. Arrived a bit early to a beautiful new community center that was spacious and inviting. Somewhat apprehensive as to the size of the group of 7-8 year olds-the larger the group the more chance of that certain restlessness that comes with a large group of kids in the summertime. Especially nervous when I saw that the center’s swimming pool was visible from our designated space in the reading room!

All of my worries melted away however when the kids walked into the room. I could feel their peaceful and inquisitive energy and knew we were on the right track when they seemed happy that Stephanie and I sat cross-legged on the floor with them for the storytelling. This was a great way to start the reading! The group actually moved in closer to us as we began our introductions and we explained a bit about ourselves. They were quiet, attentive and excited by the choice of reading material.

Stephanie explained how she would be reading a large print book and described her visual limitations. We stopped after each page for interactive comments and even corrections in the reading of the material! These kids were avid readers and didn’t miss a beat!
We critiqued the story after reading it which lent another layer of interest to the experience. There were insights into the personality of the main character and also comments about his motivation.

Next, the Braille alphabet was explained as Braille explanation cards were distributed. Types of visual impairments were briefly explained as the children held up the vision simulator cards. Everyone participated! The group was still asking questions and were reticent to leave us. I felt like staying longer myself and was especially moved when one young girl who had been sitting next to me sweetly asked me if I would come back and teach an art class. How could I refuse?

Next time, we will brush up on our fact sheets concerning the history of Braille and Helen Keller. Many of the children seemed interested in the process of Braille. Others knew of Helen Keller and knowing details of her life story would have added spice to the conversations.

I feel grateful to have been able to participate however briefly in the United We Serve initiative and richer for the experience of being with a curious and bright group of children. There was a sense of fun and isn’t that the way to keep our interest going in any endeavor? Children bring this to our lives and they become the teachers and we the students.

Journal account written by: Catherine Schultz, NIB reading volunteer