Foundation for the Junior Blind: celebrate 50 years with the Foundation for the Junior Blind.

Founded in 1953 by a dedicated group of volunteers, the Foundation for the Junior Blind began with the simple idea that youngsters who were blind deserved access to the same recreational opportunities as their sighted peers. This meant that kids who were blind deserved to go to the beach, go horseback riding, go river-rafting, and more.

The Foundation started with weekend dances and has grown over the past 50 years into an extensive non-profit organization that serves over 6,000 individuals each year with six programs that provide education, recreation, training, and rehabilitation. The Foundation's programs and services enable infants, children, young people, and adults who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and self-esteem.

President Robert Rails welcomes new supporters, "As we look back on our first 50 years for inspiration, we hope that you will join us on our exciting journey for the next 50 years and beyond and share our vision. See how far we have come... Imagine how far we can go."

Camp Bloomfield, located in the mountains of Malibu, provides a special camp experience for children, teens, and young adults who are blind or visually impaired and their families. Campers participate in campfire activities, horseback riding, swimming, archery, track and field, and learn independence skills and self-advocacy. Camp Bloomfield is one of the largest camps for children and teens who are blind or visually impaired in the USA.

The Visions: Adventures in Learning program consists of unique experiences for youngsters who are blind or visually impaired ages 13-18 from throughout the USA. Participation in Visions adventures is life-changing as youngsters with visual impairments become empowered to overcome physical and emotional obstacles, achieve goals, and develop self-confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.

The Infant-Family Program serves families with infants from birth through three years of age who have visual impairments and multiple disabilities. Services include infant development therapy, family support, low vision services, professional consultations, and counseling in Los Angeles, Riverside, and Ventura counties.

The Special Education School offers individualized instruction for students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities ages 3-21. With a high staff-to-student ratio, instructors lovingly work with students to develop independent living skills and achieve their greatest level of educational ability and independence.

The Children's Residential Program serves children and youth with visual impairments and multiple disabilities ages 5-21. In beautiful facilities and a warm and caring milieu, trained counselors lead the round-the-clock group living and community-based instruction. Children enjoy home visits with their families on the weekends, and families participate in all aspects of their child's life at the Foundation.

At the Davidson Program for Independence, adults ages 18 and above who are newly-blind or visually impaired develop a compass for living at this comprehensive, residential, rehabilitation program that provides life skills for community and home living, pre-vocational training, preparation for employment, self-advocacy, and independence. Students receive individualized instruction in Braille reading and writing, career exploration, computer literacy, independent living skills, development of communication skills, and orientation and mobility; and they also participate in a group living experience with other adults who are newly-blind or visually impaired.

In 2002, the Foundation for the Junior Blind launched the Student Transition and Enrichment Program (STEP), the only program of its kind in Southern California for teens and young adults ages 15-22 who are blind or visually impaired. Jay Allen, Executive Vice President/COO explained, "Since the unemployment rate for individuals who are blind is nearly 80%, STEP was established to provide career exploration and job training so that young adults who are blind or visually impaired can achieve their dreams."

Participants in the STEP program craft resumes, participate in mock interviews, learn from professionals who are blind or visually impaired, interact with other young people who are blind or visually impaired, and enjoy a week-long internship. This unique program allows students to gain a better understanding of the issues that individuals who are blind or visually impaired encounter in the workplace and how to deal with them in a positive manner.

As the Foundation for the Junior Blind plans for its future, it will continue to rely on our community for their assistance and support. We have been fortunate to have as part of our Foundation family, board members, volunteers, donors, and the involvement and expertise of individuals and businesses in Los Angeles. Over the past 12 years, the law firm of Latham and Watkins has provided thousands of hours of pro-bono services, which have made possible the development of our 8-acre campus in Los Angeles and our camp facilities in Malibu. We are grateful to them and others for their commitment to help ensure services to children and adults who are blind or visually impaired and their families in our community.

For more information, please contact Robert Rails, President, by phone at [phone], or visit us online at www.fib.org.