Organizations We Specifically Support
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
An internationally accredited guide dog school, raises, trains and pairs dogs free of charge to those with lost vision or children with autism. The nonprofit does not receive government funding and depends on the support of individuals, corporations, foundations, and civic organizations such as Lions Clubs to fulfill its mission. MORE INFO: www.guidingeyes.org 
Visions/Services for the Blind
A nonprofit rehabilitation and social service organization, serving the metropolitan area in three locations. It helps people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired lead independent and active lives in their communities. All services are free. Lion Clubs provide funds to Visions and concentrate on the Visions Center on Blindness (VCB), a sleep-away camp for blind people and their families on 37 acres in Rockland County. Besides funds, Lion Clubs clean and ready specific buildings before camp starts. Established in 1926, VCB has become one of the largest and most compre-hensive overnight training and vocational rehabilitation facilities in the United States. In 2017, Visions opened the state's first residential Vocational Rehabilitation Center (VRC) on the camp grounds. The state-of-the art, $9.5 million, 32-bed building provides 8-week intensive sessions of living skills, adaptive computer and technology skills and vocational rehabilitation training programs. Its graduates are job-ready candidates. The two other Visions facilities provide year-round vocational training, adaptive and social services in Manhattan. With the closing of the Lighthouse, the NYS Commission for the Blind asked Visions to be the primary service provider for all ages of legally blind Westchester residents. MORE INFO: www.visionsvcb.org 
The STEM Alliance
Founded in 2013, The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Alliance is a nonprofit connecting parents, students, educators & businesses in support of critical STEM learning experiences for students in grades K to 12. Their programs include: STEM for Students with Special Needs, Robotics K-12, Girls in STEM and Summer Enrichment (Co-op). The Co-op Summer Enrichment program provides 6 weeks of academic & recreational experiences for 230 students from all four Mamaroneck School District elementary schools. The program serves families who cannot afford to attend other local summer programs. The program also employs & mentors a diverse group of local teenagers to promote leadership & employment opportunities. MORE INFO: www.thestemalliance.org 
At Home on the Sound
A grass roots nonprofit founded in 2010 to improve the quality of life for people age 60 and older living in Larchmont and Mamaroneck. It provides a wide range of programs and services for people who want to stay healthy and safely in their own homes in the community they love. MORE INFO: www.athomeonthesound.org 
Community Resource Center (formerly Hispanic Resource Center)
Founded in 1998 to promote the cultural, economic, educational and professional integration of immigrants to the already established larger community and to advocate for those in need. It aims to provide the tools to prepare new immigrant families to become self-sufficient and active members of the community. Over 17 years in existence, the Center has grown from a community initiative providing a clearinghouse of information and referral services, to become a valuable organization providing comprehensive direct client services and programs. More info: crcny.org |
Recycle for Sight
Provides eyeglasses for those in need. Throughout the year, Lions collect used eyeglasses at various community locations, such as the local library, banks, schools or optometrists’ offices, and deliver them to regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs), where they are cleaned, sorted by prescription strength and packaged. Recycled glasses are distributed to people in need throughout the world. See "NEWS" section for drop off locations. 
KidSight USA
A national initiative of Lion clubs aimed at the preservation of children’s eyesight from 6 months to preschoolers thru to 18 and 19 year olds. Free vision screenings are conducted in schools by trained volunteers to detect conditions that can impede learning and even cause blindness. Those with abnormalities are referred to ophthalmologists for correction. The goal is to ensure that eye screening and follow-up care are given to all kids. In the state of New York, the screening results are monitored, recorded and analyzed by LionsSeeNY.org MORE INFO: lionskidsightusa.org Lions International Peace Poster Contest An annual worldwide competition for 11-13 year olds, encouraging them to express their vision of world peace through art. The Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions sponsor the local contest, in cooperation with area middle schools. Winning posters from each participating school advance through the district into the international competition, with the International winner announced at a United Nations event in the spring. Cancer Support Team provides free professional nursing care, social work counseling and support services for cancer patients and their families in southern Westchester County. The staff members, who have many years of experience working in hospitals and home care, are uniquely qualified to care for individuals with cancer, as well as to provide information and support to the loved ones involved in their care. MORE INFO: https://cancersupportteam.org/ Friends of the Family Established in 1997, this local nonprofit offers practical help and short term financial assistance to families with dependent children experiencing a catastrophic illness or premature death of one of its members. Qualification includes church or school membership, employment in the public work force, participation in Larchmont civic activities, and/or residence in the 10538 zip code. MORE INFO: www.larchmontfriendsofthefamily.org Hunger Task Force, Larchmont Mamaroneck Division A nonprofit organization that was formed in 1993 by a coalition of community organizations, houses of worship, and concerned citizens dedicated to assisting local families who need food. The all-volunteer organization does everything from gathering and transporting food, to packing and distributing it. Volunteers also work at their houses of worship, clubs and schools to organize food drives, raise funds and provide outreach to families in need. MORE INFO: www.lmfoodpantry.org Fuller Center for Housing By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides structure, guidance and support for communities to build and repair homes for the impoverished and First Responders. Homeowners work alongside volunteers and repay construction costs on terms they can handle, regaining a sense of basic human dignity. The Fuller Center was launched in 2005 by Millard and Linda Fuller, who founded Habitat for Humanity in 1976. MORE INFO: www.fullercenterny.org Friends of Karen Provides emotional, financial and advocacy support at no cost for children with cancer and their families in the New York tri-state region. MORE INFO: https://www.friendsofkaren.org/ |