IN Millcreek Spring 2019 | Page 7

SPONSORED CONTENT BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SPONSORED CONTENT Sight Center Partners with Asbury Woods to Offer Ski Program for Visually Impaired Youth F or the past three years, the Sight Center has braved the cold to offer a Learn-to-Ski program for children who are blind or visually impaired. This year, a new partnership with Asbury Woods means the program is closer to home, making logistics easier for everyone. Snow Camp, a six-week program, provides participants with the chance to cross-country ski, snowshoe, learn winter survival skills and more. Since 1938, the Sight Center’s mission has been to prevent blindness and promote independence for those with vision loss. “For children without vision, learning a skill like cross-country skiing in a beautiful place like Asbury Woods—located practically in their own backyards—is the type of experience we’re trying to create,” said Linda Moore, Sight Center Executive Director. “It’s all about increasing participation in family, school and community. Activities like Snow Camp give us a platform to expose kids with visual impairments to recreational opportunities they could adopt as lifelong hobbies. Through recreation, kids build self-esteem, strengthen skills of independence and prepare for adulthood in a sighted world.” The Sight Center’s programs include prevention of blindness, screenings and education, diabetes prevention, vision rehabilitation and specialized supports including a transportation program. For more information about the Sight Center or to support its mission, visit sightcenternwpa.org or call the office at 814.455.0995. The Sight Center is located at 2545 West 26th Street in Erie, 16506. MILLCREEK ❘ SPRING 2019 5