A new Contracted Independent Organization on Grounds now offers University students the chance to prevent blindness and improve eye care around the world, one pair of eyeglasses at a time.
First-year College students Juliana Minak and Kory Forrest recently co-founded the University's chapter of Unite for Sight, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce health inequalities, specifically those pertaining to vision, both in the United States and abroad. The University chapter was officially established March 5.
Minak, who serves as chapter president, said she was attracted to Unite for Sight because it combined her interests in health care and volunteering.
"It's something I feel really strongly about," Minak said. "It was just an opportunity that was presented to me, so I grasped it."
Minak said she found out about the University's interest in starting a chapter of Unite for Sight through a notice in a pre-med bulletin at the beginning of the year.
Forrest, who serves as chapter chair, said she joined forces with Minak because of a desire to become more involved at the University, and starting a club seemed like the perfect opportunity.
"We were both really active in high school, and it's hard to come here and not be involved in anything," Forrest said.
Jennifer Staple, national founder, president and chief executive officer of Unite for Sight, Inc., said the organization has several national and international goals.
In the United States, Unite for Sight offers free preliminary vision screenings, enrollment in insurance and free health coverage, vision education programs and general health education programs.
Internationally, field teams comprised of college and medical students travel to developing countries in Africa to prescribe eyeglasses collected from university campuses and participate in eye education programs.
Staple founded Unite for Sight in 2000 as a sophomore at Yale University. Upon graduating in June 2003, Staple expanded the organization to an international scope. According to Staple, there currently are 50 chapters in the United States and Canada, many of which are on college and university campuses.
"I always get e-mails from people nationally and internationally," Staple said. "I think it's drawing a lot of people who are interested in not only ophthalmology but also health care."
With a membership of 10 students, Minak said the University's chapter of Unite for Sight is ready to become active both on Grounds and in the community. Members are set to participate in the Unite for Sight Day Festival at the Salvation Army in April to provide preliminary vision screenings and register eligible people in Charlottesville for free eye care.
"The main thing we're doing this semester is the festival and later on weekly vision screenings," she said.
Additionally, an eyeglasses collection drive is slated be held in libraries on Grounds later in the semester. The glasses collected from the drive will go to needy people in Ghana, Forrest said.
Forrest said she has high hopes for the future of the chapter.
"Eventually, we want to become a regular-sized chapter," she said. "We want it to go on without us and have it be well-established."
Read More
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | Yesterday"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
Faculty Senate Executives hear from Rector Sheridan and Vice Rector Wilkinson
By Xander Tilock and Grace Traxler | 2 days agoRectors were in attendance for part of Wednesday’s emergency meeting and were asked about the interim president selection process.
Student leaders weigh the future of self-governance after Ryan's departure
By Brendon Bordwine | 3 days agoThe University has a historical tradition of student self-governance, which allows students to take part in decision-making processes.
