October Update

YPO Members Face Fears for Children Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired

Left to Right: Dianne Markis (General Manager of Marriott Irvine Spectrum Hotel), Ivo Tjan (Chairman and CEO of CommerceWest Bank), Bob Olson (CEO of RD Olson Development and owner of the Marriott Irvine Spectrum Hotel), Scott Shainman (President of Getac).

On October 17, 2019, Young Presidents Organization California Coast (YPO) gathered more than 30 local Orange County executives at the Marriott Irvine Spectrum for a unique opportunity to face their fears, and it was all in support of Blind Children’s Learning Center. Keynote speaker Patrick Sweeney (The Fear Guru) inspired members to identify moments of fear and transform them into moments of opportunity. 

Executives and their spouses then put concept into action by rappelling down the 17-story Marriott Irvine Spectrum. In partnership with Blind Children’s Learning Center, participants celebrated by personally donating over $10,000 to help children with visual impairments and their families in Orange County face their own fears.

Ivo Tjan, CEO of CommerceWest Bank, explained the collaboration: “As YPO members, it is our belief that the world needs better leaders and we strive to make meaningful impacts on lives, businesses, and the world. We had the opportunity to help make an impact by facing fear and rappelling for a good cause. We wanted to support Blind Children’s Learning Center because they help so many families face the fear of the unknown about their child’s visual impairments.”

"We pride the Marriott Irvine Spectrum hotel for being in the center of the action in Orange County, “ said hotel owner Bob Olson, Founder and CEO of R.D. Olson Development. “Bringing YPO and Blind Children's Learning Center together was an additional opportunity to be at the center of innovation, conquering fears, and making a positive difference in the community." 

Thank you, YPO Members, for helping our students and families build brighter futures!

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Celebrating Brave Steps of Independence

We are so proud of senior high school student Jasmin for meeting her goals in her Orientation and Mobility (O&M) sessions. She and her O&M specialist Mari have been building independence one step at a time by practicing at school and out in the community.

“With her mobility cane, Jasmine is now able to walk independently for about four to five blocks,” celebrates Mari. “I’m so encouraged to also see her using skills we have worked on to safely cross high-volume signal-light intersections.”

It takes years of practice, patience and a whole lot of bravery before these young students are ready to navigate new environments like this on their own. Way to go, Jasmin!

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Another big "Thank YOU!" to the golfers, friends and sponsors for supporting students like Jasmin at the Dr. Frank Villalobos Fall Golf Classic on October 14.

The tournament raised more than $86,000 to provide Braille and low vision instruction, white cane mobility training, and individualized academic support to preschool through 12th grade students in Orange County.

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build independence today

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More Support for our Students

Corporate volunteer teams really stepped up for BCLC students in October! Many thanks to these teams for making a difference to children who are blind and visually impaired:

• The UPS team (and our very own board member Rosia Bruno) spent a morning at BCLC creating portable light-boxes for in-home families and brightening the executive office with a fresh coat of paint.
• Experian and Fluor employees helped Braille early childhood books at their home offices, providing our students with a wider range of reading material.

October Happenings

In honor of Blindness Awareness Month in October, Mattel recently released Uno Braille. The new edition makes this popular card game more widely accessible for the more than 7 million blind and low-vision Americans in the U.S.

“We are proud to be making UNO more accessible and inclusive to even more families,” said Ray Adler, Global Head of Games at Mattel. The game is being sold at local Target stores.

Blind Children's Learning Center hosted "White Cane Safety Day" at Pretend City Children's Museum of Orange County on October 15. Children enjoyed trying a mobility cane to explore a small area of the museum with their eyes closed. The activity built empathy, increased understanding of the challenges our students face, and was also fun!

We were delighted when young sisters Cammy and Lily (along with their mom Marcie) stopped by our office with a small donation they had earned by baking cookies and selling them to neighbors. The girls also brought hand-made friendship bracelets to give to students. So sweet!