Imagine sitting in class and not being able to see clearly, either up close or far away, or not being able to participate in sports because you can’t see the ball coming. Vision issues can be extremely limiting for students. That’s why Christian Community Service Center’s Louise J. Moran VisionCare Program works to provide underserved children with vision impairments the gift of glasses.

CCSC partners with local schools, providing volunteers to help school nurses conduct vision screenings. Students needing further vision care are later transported by bus to the University of Houston Eye Institute where they are given comprehensive eye exams and put into glasses if needed. CCSC is wrapping up its Vision Care program activities for the 2023-2024 academic year and looking ahead to the fall semester when additional volunteer screeners will be needed.

“The Vision Care program is a true ministry to our children,” said Sanchez Elementary School Nurse Mary Moon, BSN, RN. “The children are always so excited to visit the university, get their exams, and pick out their glasses. Without the dedication of everyone involved in this program, from the volunteer screeners to the donors who sponsor the field trips and glasses, none of this would be possible. I can’t praise this program enough.”

Since 2003, the Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program has been primarily funded by the W.T. and Louise J. Moran Foundation and supported by the skills of the optometry students and faculty of the University of Houston Eye Institute. In 2023, 1,530 students received initial vision screenings, 564 received professional eye exams at U of H, and 513 children received eyeglasses. This semester, CCSC arranged 13 field trips to serve students attending its partner campuses.

“This year a well-deserving single father received glasses for all three of his children,” Port Houston Elementary School Nurse Betty Reed-Chenier, BSN, RN, said. “He was so grateful and appreciative.”

To volunteer for this program, email shans@ccschouston.org. To support the program, visit CCSC’s website at https://ccschouston.org, click “Give Today,” then choose Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program from the “Gift Designation” drop-down menu.