June 23, 2009
Dear Vision Northwest Friends:
We are writing this letter to you with heartfelt regret yet with sincere gratitude for your past support. Unfortunately, we must make some major changes to our operation. Effective June 30, 2009, Vision Northwest will no longer operate its low vision store or maintain any employees or staff. Our outreach services such as our peer support groups, descriptive video lending library, telephone resource and referral services will also be discontinued.
We have been greatly affected by the same adverse economic conditions many other organizations have endured during the difficult economic circumstances of the past year. Vision Northwest made strategic changes last September by reducing our hours and staff. Unfortunately, our donor base and major fundraising sources can no longer support even that reduced operational budget.
It is the hope of the board of directors that at some point in the future we will be able to resume at least some services to our low vision constituency. Therefore, Vision Northwest will continue to exist with a website. Vision Northwest will continue to evaluate its ongoing status until our financial circumstances improve, or we can develop an operational model that can be self sufficient.
We take great pride in our accomplishments and celebrate twenty-six years of leadership and service to thousands of people affected by vision loss. We are grateful to you, our loyal friends, our customers, our support group members, our descriptive video subscribers, our colleagues in the medical field and vision-related organizations and to all who have come forth to provide leadership, volunteer and provide financial support.
It has been a long time since our very first low vision support group was initiated, and it is with a great sense of accomplishment that we realize how far we have come since that day so very long ago. The fact that our organization has not only lasted but flourished over this period of time is most rewarding.
Whether you have been with us for twenty-six years or twenty-six days, we are most grateful and say thank you for being a part of our success. Life gives us brief moments with one another … and in those brief moments we gain memories that last a lifetime.
Going forward after June 30, 2009, Vision Northwest will retain its status as a nonprofit corporation committed to those individuals affected by vision loss. We will continue to maintain our website; however, we will be unable to continue our outreach services or our low vision resource store.
Once again, thank you for your generous and committed support of Vision Northwest over the past years.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Vision Northwest Board of Directors
Please contact any of the following organizations for help.
Oregon Commission for the Blind 971-673-1588
Casey Eye Institute Low Vision Clinic 503-494-3098
Devers Eye Institute Vision Rehabilitation 503-413-8499
Low Vision Consultants 503-747-2453