VISIONS Volunteer services offer great opportunities for both youth and adults to volunteer. Volunteers provide services for blind seniors in their homes and for blind youth, adults and seniors at VISIONS at Selis Manor.

INTERGENERATIONAL VOLUNTEERS
VISIONS Intergenerational Volunteer Program recruits and trains high school students to assist elders who are blind at home and in their local community. The volunteers provide services directly to elders who are blind living in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. The elders receive help with reading, escort and chores, gain positive experiences with the youth and evaluate their satisfaction with the services. The elders also share their wisdom and in many cases become mentors to the youth.

The seniors and youth participate together in various programs designed to provide further opportunities for them to engage with each other in a safe and positive environment. The teens are able to bring their skills to assist the seniors including computer skills, while the seniors positively impact on the youth through oral histories, career exploration and historical perspective.

ADULTS
College students and adult volunteers at Selis Manor make real differences every day in the lives of people who are blind and visually impaired. Volunteers assist with reading mail, periodicals, and other types of literature, escorting clients in the community and helping in recreational programs (i.e., quilting, computer, knitting, photography, and ceramics).

Readers meet individually with consumers to assist with mail and other printed material. Escorts accompany blind people to local appointments and on errands. Businesses participate in special employee volunteer activities such as the annual Holiday Gift Wrapping Party where blind consumers are assisted with addressing holiday cards and wrapping presents. Volunteers also help expand VISIONS Education and Recreation programming, donating their time and expertise in facilitating classes and workshops in their area of interest and skill. Volunteers also assist with resume writing workshops, career exploration and discussions about the world of work.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please take a look at the information regarding our various programs and applications in this section.