N EW CH ALLE NGE S | FRESH IDE A S
LI G H T
B RAI LLE I N ST IT UT E
|
2 01 3 A N N UA L R EPO RT
Mission Braille Institute is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss.
At a Glance • Staff: (249.3 FTE ) 265 • Volunteers: 3,441 • Volunteer/Staff Ratio: 13:1 • Facilities Managed: 426,000 sf • Administrative Costs: 3.4% • Fundraising Costs: 10.9%
MORE THAN
94PEOPLE
THOUSAND
ASSISTED
be told, Braille Institute was always my favorite “Truth charity, long before my own vision loss. It’s a wonderful organization that does so much for so many. My own experience made it that much more personal, and made me realize how special these services truly are.
”
— Jeanette Malin, J. Robert Atkinson Heritage Society Member
New Challenges Fresh Ideas This has been a vintage year. Braille Institute has been managing change and putting in place impor tant strategies. In reality, the year has been all about renewal. We want to share our success with you both in terms of the numbers of people served and impact on those individual lives as reported in the pages of this Annual Report. Yet, the number of those in need of our services continues to grow amidst the uncertainty in America for both health care and human services. New Challenges, Fresh Ideas — this is more than a theme for this annual report. It captures the energy of our organization-wide effort to prepare Braille Institute for growing our programs and services in the face of the 21st century challenges confronting every human service organization today.
These are just three of several major developments unfolding at Braille Institute. But at the core are the same mission and bold vision that have guided this organization since 1919. As always, we believe people can overcome the obstacles caused by visual impair ment and return to happy and productive lives; our purpose is to enable them to achieve this. This annual report shows the results of our efforts to do so. The fact that we have been able to continue offering all these services free of charge to our clientele and plan for growth during these turbulent times is a special tribute to our unique chemistry of generous donors, loyal volunteers and professional staff, which defines our organization. On behalf of all Braille Institute, we extend our profound gratitude.
Among these challenges is the increasing role of technology in so many ways in all of our lives. Here at Braille Institute, our technology infrastructure was outdated. Our specific challenge has been to harness the ideas and resources to create a new technology framework to address current needs and those in the years immediately ahead. This is well underway. We also have developed a new strategic plan for fundraising under a new name — the Department of Philanthropy. The purpose of this new thrust is to generate additional revenues to fund effec tive programs that meet the needs of the growing number of blind and visually impaired infants, youth and adults. Another priority is to strengthen our local presence and services in all five of our Southern California regions. To that end we have redefined our Regional Directors’ scope of responsibilities and changed their titles to Executive Director of their respective regions. They will be developing local Advisory Boards to help shape each regional center’s programs and services and to help generate stronger local awareness, a sense of ownership and support.
Lester M. Sussman Chair
Leslie E. Stocker, Jr. President
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Building Confidence for a Bright Future MIGUEL GUERRA: CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Miguel Guerra, an active, happy three-year-old, will be starting preschool at Tustin Unified in the fall. That’s true of many toddlers his age, but few are born, like Miguel, with unilateral microph thalmia, optic nerve hypoplasia and a cataract.
“In the beginning, it was over whelming,” said Alma Rocha, Miguel’s mom. Most families have no expe rience in working with a child with visual impairments “and that diminishes their confidence,” said Julie Molina, a Braille Institute
Child Development Consultant. That changes, she said, “as parents participate in helping their children grow and develop and acquire skills. They say, ‘I can do this, I know my child’s going to be okay.’ ” Julie visits Miguel and his family weekly, providing information,
thankful for all the help and the support from Braille “I’m Institute. He’s doing so much now and we’re so happy for that. As moms we all have concerns and are afraid for our children, but now I know he is going to be okay.
”
— Alma Rocha, Miguel’s mom
2
educational toys, resource materials —and reassurance. With Julie’s guid ance, Alma works with her lively little boy to help him develop his language, pre-braille and motor skills. Because Miguel has some light, object and color perception, a flashing ball can offer visual stimulation and practice in orientation, mobility and distance hearing. Pegboards, a favorite, engage the curious toddler in a bilat eral activity that can prepare him for learning braille.
Julie’s help is confidencebuilding and educational, Alma said, “for all my family, for my kids, for my husband and me.” And, seeing her son’s daily progress —“he’s talking more, he likes to explore more and he’s very independent”—this caring mom of four feels much more hopeful for her youngest son’s future.
Child Development Services Braille Institute’s Child Development Program offers free early intervention services designed to educate families about the developmental needs of children from birth to five years of age. Using everyday activities, our consultants offer ideas to help families support their child’s use of functional or residual vision, motor skills, language, cognition and social development through play. The program also provides resources to help parents locate programs and services in their community that support their child’s overall development and prepare them for a successful school experience.
“Helping families become advocates for their child’s education and medical needs empowers them. It helps them develop the right kinds of questions to ask of doctors, and helps them know how to ask for the right tools from teachers and educational professionals.” — Julie Molina Braille Institute Child Development Consultant
MORE THAN
5,000
HOURS OF IN-HOME
VISITS
3
Rediscovering a World of Creativity FRANKLYN BURNS: LOW VISION WELLNESS PROGRAM
When macular degeneration left veteran realtor and artist Franklyn Burns in his 70s with such large blind spots that “it’s like looking through a black veil,” he was certain that his career and creative life were over. Discouraged, unable to work, Franklyn came to Braille Institute Los Angeles in 2009 at the urging of his daughter. He participated in a variety of free Low Vision Well ness programs designed to help people living with vision loss learn new ways of managing daily tasks with less vision. Today, as his 80th birthday approaches, Franklyn
is once again a busy real estate broker, and, through Braille Insti tute’s Express Yourself Creative Arts program, he has reclaimed his own art, making texture-rich collograph prints that have had public showings. “I kid about it,” said Franklyn, whose background includes the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute and a former career as an interior designer and professional furniture manufacturer. “I tell people that it took me 77 years and going blind in order to get into an art show.” “Basically, Braille Institute gave me my life back. I’m still doing what I love doing, thanks to the help I received there.” Dori Atlantis, Franklyn’s art instructor at Braille Institute, noted that her visually impaired and blind students include those who have never had an art-making experi ence, as well as trained artists like
Franklyn, “who thought that part of life was over,” she said. “When I have Franklyn in a class, he works on his own, but he also encourages the other students,” Dori added. “He helps form the community here.” In addition to his art classes and other activities, Franklyn recently launched a course in real estate basics at Braille Institute Los Angeles. “I believe in giving back,” he said. When asked how long he planned to continue to study and volunteer at Braille Institute, Franklyn laughed. “They’ll have to carry me out,” he said.
Institute taught me how to use a computer, and “Braille they introduced me to specialized software that enlarges text and images on screen. But most importantly, they taught me that I didn’t have to give up my art—that I could still enjoy my favorite hobbies, even with low vision.
”
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Express Yourself Creative Arts Program Express Yourself Creative Arts classes are part of our free Low Vision Wellness programs, focusing on lifestyle changes so that adults can take charge of their lives after any amount of vision loss. We meet each person’s individual needs through classes, workshops, and one-on-one personalized consultations. 5
Starting a New Chapter FRAN JOHNSON: LIBRARY SERVICES Fran Johnson, a retired Head Start administrator, has low vision due to macular degeneration and glau coma. The outgoing octogenarian first came to Braille Institute in 2005. “I was still working at the time,” Fran said, “and some of the devices that I found out about
through Braille Institute let me work a couple more years.” Fran’s vision worsened and she retired at age 74, returning to Braille Institute for life skills classes and Orientation and Mobility training to help her get around town safely.
Library Services Braille Institute’s award-winning large print, audiobook and braille Library brings the joy of reading back to those who have trouble seeing small print or holding a book. Library patrons receive free books, magazines and other materials in audio, digital and braille formats from a collection of more than 1.2 million volumes from the Library’s collection. Our free Library Services program is available to people with visual impairments and physical or other disabilities that prevent them from reading standard print. 6
That’s when Fran discovered Braille Institute’s Library—and a new passion. “It is so neat. It’s like a lending library and a little like Netflix. They send you an audiobook, you send it back at no charge, and you get a catalog bimonthly so you can order more.”
A mystery buff, Fran wondered what kind of audiobooks patrons requested most often. The answer: mysteries and romances. When Fran asked if Braille Institute would consider a mystery-focused book club class, “they said yes, if someone would volunteer to make it happen,” she said. Fran promptly launched her “I Love a Mystery Reading Group.” “Fran is so motivated and friendly, said Nancy Hendrickson, Braille
Institute Orange County Educational Programs manager. “She is a great fit to lead a book club.” “Some of the ‘I Love a Mystery’ club members are knowledgeable about mystery stories and authors,” Fran said. “Others just like to read. It’s fun and a real joy to meet these different people. There’s no real beginning and end to our classes, because our members are so enthusiastic. We go to the library and we drive them crazy, saying,
I want this book and that book. But the librarians are so helpful and supportive.” Looking forward, the group plans to explore the Golden Age of mysteries in the 1920s and 1930s to see whether they hold up. “We’re having a great time exploring the world of audiobooks!” Fran said.
30 MORE THAN
THOUSAND LIBRARY PATRONS
Digital book players like this one mean life-changing access to knowledge and literature, enriching the lives of our Library patrons. Magnification can help make things Bigger, Brighter and Bolder for people with low vision.
“Braille Institute’s Library is beneficial to anybody who’s visually impaired, including those who have been avid readers and are now unable to read print. They’re not deprived of their enjoyment of books.” — Nancy Hendrickson, Educational Programs Manager, Braille Institute Orange County
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Taking the Next Step BEATRICE EVANS: PERSONAL CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
A tearful Beatrice Evans, 61, came to Braille Institute early in 2012, fearful that she had lost her longtime career as an administra tive service manager for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Beatrice was responsible for managing shipping, receiving and inventory for a department of more than 7000 employees, but her deteriorating vision, due to polypoidal choroidal neovascular ization, had left her unable to work for six months.
Beatrice Evans and Karine Repchian, Braille Institute Job Developer.
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“It’s not just the big things,” Beatrice said, “but a lot of little things, like being able to put together matching outfits. You take it for granted until you can’t do them anymore.” She began taking classes in independent living skills such as cooking and computers, and she learned how magnification and voice-activated technology could enable her to continue to do her job. “When Beatrice came to Braille Institute,” said Job Developer Karine Repchian, “she needed reassurance that losing your sight doesn’t mean that you can’t continue to work and pursue your other interests.” Karine contacted Beatrice’s employers. Would they be willing to rehire Beatrice if she received the training and assistive technology that she would need to continue doing her job? “I said, yes,” responded Godwin
Nwufo, Beatrice’s supervisor, “because she is a very good worker.” Karine and technology expert Noemi Garcia, a Braille Institute Low Vision Rehabilitation Specialist, assessed Beatrice’s workstation and provided her with a high-powered magnification device called a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV). Noemi also installed other access devices and software provided by California’s Department of Rehabilitation. By October of 2012, Beatrice was back on the job, “and she is doing the work she used to do without any constraints,” said Godwin. “I was too young to retire,” Beatrice said, “and I was a mess. I still get emotional, because it is so hard when you can’t see. But Braille Institute gave me hope. They let me know that it was going to be all right.”
get emotional, because “...it isI still so hard when you can’t see. But Braille Institute gave me hope. They let me know that it was going to be all right.
”
Personal Connections Program Personal Connections is a concierge service in which participants receive customized skills-building education through one-on-one or group sessions designed to meet an immediate need.
9
Opening Doors of Opportunity NIDYA ROJAS: PERSONAL CONNECTIONS PROGRAM
Blind from birth, 30-year-old Nidya Rojas missed out on a variety of educational opportuni ties growing up. When she came to Braille Institute’s Rancho Mirage Center, Nidya could barely read. Today, after little more than a year in Braille Institute’s one-on-one Personal Connections Training
program, Nidya is reading braille at the 8th grade level and is talking of going to college. Nidya’s Personal Connec tions tutor is teacher and student advisor John Billings. “She keeps me motivated,” he said. “Nidya is reading at home, reading to her mother, and she just wrote her first story. The more she learns, the more she wants to learn. I think she has just discovered herself.” With her success, Nidya’s self-confidence is growing every day. She has taken control of her life and is making her own appointments, arranging for her own transportation needs and engaging in outside activities. Nidya now teaches braille to beginners in her own class, too, when she’s not giving tours at the Center to potential students or speaking publically in the commu nity about Braille Institute’s free
programs and services. “Everybody loves Nidya,” said Braille Institute’s Connection Pointe volunteer instructor Dan Reynolds. “She’s just the sweetest soul on earth and she’s come a long way. With the expansion of the Connection Pointe technology training program and Nidya’s capacity to use this technology, I intend to have her help me teach in the near future.” “At first,” Nidya said, “it was ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ I was very unsure of myself and I would not get out there in the world. But now, it’s ‘yes, I can.’ It makes me feel good to do things, and to be able to read and write like everybody else. Braille Institute is opening doors for me and I’m excited to see where life will take me. I just want to do more and more.”
Your Personal Best Program “Your Personal Best” is a program for Young Adults (18-30 years) in which each person develops a 3-5 year realistic life plan. Using the Stepping Stones to Success, each person goes through a process of life skill development, technology workshops, social skills enhancement, and paid internships to ultimately empower participants to become responsible adults with fulfilling lives. 10
Students can learn about mainstream devices like the iPad, which now come standard with accessible features for visually impaired users.
said, “it was ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ “AtI wasfirst,”veryNidya unsure of myself and I would not get out there in the world. But now, it’s ‘yes, I can.’ ”
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Connecting People with Technology DAN REYNOLDS: CONNECTION POINTE VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTOR Dan joined the Center as a volunteer in 2012 and ever since, “I’ve been teaching people right and left how to use Apple equip ment like the iPad and iPhone, as well as screen reading devices and Closed Circuit Televisions that enlarge type,” he said. “I just love it.” Dan’s original one day a week Connection Pointe schedule is now five days and “sometimes seven,” he noted. “This weekend, I’m Dan Reynolds thought that his hiking it down to Hemet to teach teaching days were over when he three 90-year-olds.” retired in 2005 as professor of While Dan’s Braille Institute statistics, math and computing at the Air Force Institute of Technology colleagues consider him instru mental in the development of its graduate school in Dayton, Ohio. new technology program, he is Then tech-savvy Dan learned typically modest: “I’m honored,” that Braille Institute Rancho he said, “but it’s teamwork all the Mirage’s new Connection Pointe technology program needed volun way, and our new young volun teers are just fantastic.” teer instructors to help blind and Dan, who is sighted, now visually impaired students learn teaches braille classes, too. His to use the latest mainstream and initial training included a three-day adaptive devices.
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Braille Boot Camp that “astounded me and left me in awe,” he said. Dan’s passion now is to become a master teacher of braille, pairing mainstream technology with refre shable braille devices. “It is going to open the world to so many people, and as a teacher, that’s what I love: to open worlds for people and let them soar.” Volunteering at Braille Insti tute “has been a joy ride,” said Dan, a youthful age 71. “I feel like a 25-year-old. The more I work, the more energy I seem to get back in return. “I feel blessed to have found Braille Institute,” he added, “because I have a whole new sense of purpose—and I have a wonderful wife who lets me do these things.”
JUAN HERNANDEZ: ACCESS TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
Connection Pointe
have people in their 20s and late “I90s wanting to learn iPads and other technologies. Giving them these tools not only makes them more independent, it opens doors to them that they thought were closed because they’ve lost their sight.
Technology is changing rapidly and Braille Institute is here to help our students, clients and families access the digital world. Connection Pointe, our technology training center, keeps people plugged in to assistive and mainstream technology and smart phone applications at each of our centers. Our “techperts” teach clients practical ways to use technology in their daily lives.
”
MORE THAN
4,000 INDIVIDUALS ASSISTED
ONLINE
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Finding Their Voices MARLEENA COULSTON-BARBER: JOHNNY MERCER CHILDREN’S CHOIR Enthusiastic applause said it all: Braille Institute’s award-winning Johnny Mercer Children’s Choir was a smash hit in its summer musical, Disney’s Aladdin KIDS, at the Whittier Centre Theater in August. “When the curtain closed, all of the kids and I screamed and hugged each other,” said choir
The Johnny Mercer’s Children Choir is comprised of blind and visually impaired children ages 8-18 from Los Angeles and Orange County. The program is designed to promote independence and self-esteem through musical performance. The choir has performed in concerts and shows across Southern California.
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director Marleena CoulstonBarber. “The level of energy that was radiating from them, the joy and pride, and the smiles, I will never forget.” Founded 15 years ago at Braille Institute Los Angeles and Orange County regional centers, the choir —visually impaired and blind youth ages 8 to 18—offers free public concerts, a summer musical theater program and as of 2012, a young men’s choir. Besides being taught “how to use the voice and body to produce a beautiful sound,” said Marleena, choir members gain confidence through improved listening, communication and social skills. When her students “smile, stand up nice and tall and present them selves for performance,” she said, “a lot of people say they would never know that our choir was blind. We’re breaking down stereo
types that people may have about the visually impaired community. Music is a powerful universal language that connects us.” Marleena, a professional singer, understands first-hand the challenges that her students face: she is legally blind. “I have a condi tion called albinism,” she said. “I was born with it.” As a role model, Marleena can show students that “I am independent, that I went through college, and that I’m pursuing a career that I love. I want their parents to see that, too.” Choir member Daphne Falea faga, 14, is taking that lesson to heart. Daphne, who was born blind, plans to pursue music and theater in college. “Just because you have a disability,” she said, “doesn’t mean that you can’t reach for your dreams and shoot for the stars.”
15
the curtain closed, all of the kids and I screamed “When and hugged each other. The level of energy that was radiating from them, the joy and pride and the smiles, I will never forget.
”
— Marleena Coulston-Barber, Choir Director
16
Youth Services: Preparing Children and Teens to Face the World with Confidence The Johnny Mercer Children’s Choir is just one of the many activities available in our Youth Program. In concert with parents and teachers, our services challenge youth to develop their social and vocational skills in preparation for adulthood. Our holistic approach of interactive workshops, exciting physical activities, creative outlets, community service, and paid internships will lead to social confidence, educational achievement and employment.
40
MORE THAN
THOUSAND
HOURS OF YOUTH
PROGRAMMING
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Making It Possible KEN RICHARDSON: A DONOR’S PERSPECTIVE
Macular degeneration brought Ken Richardson to Braille Institute’s Santa Barbara Center eight years ago. The services and resource assistance that this former Presi dent and CEO of Hughes Aircraft Company received there soon inspired him to become a dedi cated and generous donor. “I favor two things: supporting Braille Institute’s library, which has been most beneficial to me,” Ken said, “and supporting their continuing expansion of tech nology training that can assist all
of us in improving our situation.” “I’m actually operating my computer about 10 times better than I was previously,” he said, “with a lot of shortcuts, an audio hookup, image enhancement and simple things like pasting little markers on the keyboard to make it easier to see.” A voracious reader, Ken has so far finished nearly 400 books on his reading list—including Dante’s Inferno—thanks to Braille Institute’s “terrific library” and its free Braille and Audio Recording
Download (BARD) system. “You can select from thousands of book titles, download them to your computer and put them into an audiobook player ,” he said. “That’s been a marvelous benefit.” Ken also wrote his own book, Hughes After Howard: The Story of the Hughes Aircraft Company, published in 2011, using a special ized reading device that enlarges type. “That really, really helped me, because I had to get a lot of research data, and accessing it was perfect with this machine.” “I’m just so enthusiastic about the high quality of the services offered at Braille Institute said Ken. “They provide a wealth of benefit in boosting people’s lives from both a morale and practical standpoint. I’m much in favor of continued support for this outstanding organization and its expansion.”
favor two things: supporting Braille Institute’s library— “Iwhich has been most beneficial to me—and supporting their continuing expansion of technology training that can assist all of us in improving our situation.
”
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PROGRAMS and SERVICES July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 Gender
Age
Education
Male
31%
Up to 19
6%
Female
69%
20 to 64
22%
College Degree
65 and Over
72%
Not Stated
Primary Cause of Visual Impairment Macular Degeneration
22%
Duration of Blindness
High School Graduate
Up to 1 year
1%
9%
Up to 5 years
2%
Diabetic Retinopathy
9%
Up to 10 years
3%
Cataracts
11%
Up to 20 years
91%
Retinitis Pigmentosa
3%
More than 20 years
8%
Adventitious (formerly sighted)
92%
3%
from a total enrollment of 8,958 adults, youths and infants.
20
58%
Congenital (blind since birth)
4,136 New Enrollments Kitchen Confidence is a part of our Low Vision Wellness program. It is a set of classes designed to assist people with low vision in navigating their kitchens with confidence by making a few simple adjustments such as reducing clutter, using color and contrast to your advantage, clearly labeling food and shelves, and maximizing your shopping experience.
3%
Nature of Visual Impairment
Glaucoma
Kitchen Confidence
22%
Regional Center Adult Education and Counseling Center
Students Enrolled
Contact Hours
Los Angeles
841
57,622
Orange County
618
40,968
Rancho Mirage
500
35,247
Santa Barbara
186
20,514
San Diego Center
354
28,612
2,499
182,963
Total
Child Development: Infants through 5 years of age
PROVIDED
MORE THAN
200 THOUSAND
HOURS OF FREE
SERVICES
Primary Services (includes all long term consultations of six months or more) Early Intervention (Birth to 3 years) In home services • Number of Infants/Families • Hours of Services
188 5,212
Child Pre-school support and transition programs • Number of Families/Children Over Age 3 • Hours of Services
184 3,347
Medical Visits with families
482
Consultations • Short Term (number of families served for up to 6 months) • Long Term
162 210
Total Children and Families Served*
1,1 372
* 97 additional families not enrolled in Braille Institute’s programs were served through parent groups.
Youth Services: 6 to 18 years of age Center
Youths
Contact Hours
Los Angeles
356
24,512
Orange County
140
Rancho Mirage
Young Adults: 19 to 30 years of age Young Adults
Contact Hours
Los Angeles
70
822
8,412
Orange County
52
837
50
1,905
Rancho Mirage
110
1,828
Santa Barbara
40
1,844
Santa Barbara
19
2,049
San Diego Center
52
3,811
San Diego Center
11
253
638
40,484
262
5,789
Total
Center
Total
21
PROGRAMS and SERVICES Community Outreach Center
Community Partnerships
Students Enrolled
Sites Visited
Contact Hours
2,143
118
Orange County
454
Rancho Mirage
Los Angeles
157
10,587
Orange County
230
69
2,810
Rancho Mirage
27
241
33
651
Santa Barbara
138
Santa Barbara
1,127
56
14,068
San Diego Center
187
San Diego Center
1,124
54
4,684
5,089
330
32,800
Los Angeles
Total
Child Development Total
52 791
Community Training Programs (number of people trained) Center
Clinicians Caregivers
Los Angeles
Other Professionals
Public Education
Eye Disease Seminars
Total
45
60
39
2,421
310
2,875
Orange County
358
331
1,765
3,255
326
6,035
Rancho Mirage
252
23
279
1,961
184
2,699
Santa Barbara
108
259
193
1,971
130
2,661
San Diego Center
180
94
69
2,373
0
2,716
30
0
535
634
0
1,199
973
767
2,880
12,615
950
18,185
Child Development Total
Orientation & Mobility Our Orientation & Mobility program provides free one-on-one sessions with a trained specialist designed to help people living with low vision get around their home, neighborhood and town safely and effectively. Clients also receive at-home coaching to learn how to identify and avoid obstacles, safely cross streets and climb steps, use public transportation, walk with a guide, and more. 22
Low Vision Rehabilitation Services Center
Consultations
Los Angeles
1,146
Orange County
1,102
Rancho Mirage
650
Santa Barbara
823
San Diego
764
Total
4,485
Sites Visited
SAY THEY ARE
ABLE TO GET
AROUND TOWN INDEPENDENTLY AFTER RECEIVING
486
Low Vision Rehabilitation Consultations
1,752
Number of Visitors
2,493
Library Applications
198
Volunteer Services Volunteers
Service Hours
1,453
63,660
Santa Barbara
982
26,829
Rancho Mirage
173
18,918
Orange County
549
19,889
San Diego
284
8,285
3,441
137,581
Total
MOBILITY TRAINING
Rancho Mirage, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles
Los Angeles
OF CLIENTS
ORIENTATION &
Mobile Solutions
Center
96
%
Braille Special Collection Children’s Books Distributed
5,194
Dots-for-Tots® Kits Distributed
1,722
Tac-Tales® Kits Distributed
669
Top Dots™ Distributed
621
Library Services Active Patrons
29,823
Readers Registered
30,805
Individual Titles
93,669
Books Available
1.2 Million
Books Circulated
Public Relations and Marketing Regional/National Media Coverage Southern California Media Coverage Website Visits
991,059
Machines Supplied 647 451 113,346
Deposit Libraries
65,136 1,477
The Braille Challenge
Individuals Assisted Online
4,443
Preliminary Contest Returned
Website Downloads
21,919
Teachers Administering Contests
39
1,072
YouTube Hits
36,628
Regional Events Hosted
42
App Downloads (ViA & VisionSimTM)
23,814
U.S. States & Canadian Provinces Represented
42
23
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Income ($000)
Expenditures ($000) 2013
2012
Public Support
2013
2012
Program Services
Bequests from Wills & Trusts
11,530
9,343
Los Angeles Center
3,806
4,380
Other Contributions
4,869
4,238
Child Development
849
768
Total Public Support
16,399
13,581
Rancho Mirage Center
1,774
1,896
Orange County Center
2,321
2,794
San Diego Center
1,955
1,955
Santa Barbara Center
1,869
2,056
Other Revenue Royalties
3,999
4,315
813
808
1,436
1,058
Braille Publishing
1,108
1,293
6,248
6,181
Library Services
3,023
3,053
22,647
19,762
431
664
6,472
6,339
1,459
1,380
29,119
26,101
18,595
20,239
State Library Appropriation Net Investment Income Total Other Revenue Total Income Allocation from Reserves
16
Total Funds Received
MORE THAN
MILLION DOLLARS
THROUGH
PUBLIC SUPPORT
Income Sources ■ Bequests from Wills & Trusts
3.6%
■ State Library Appropriation ■ Net Investment Income
Public Education Total Program Services
Operating Expenditures (before depreciation) Administration
859
827
Philanthropy
2,745
2,838
Support Services
1,718
1,827
23,917
25,731
Capital Expenditures
5,202
370
Total Expenditures
29,119
26,101
135,685
128,651
Total Operating Expenditures
Total Net Assets
Operating Expenditures*
6.3%
3.4%
■ Program Services ■ Philanthropy
■ Other Contributions ■ Royalties
Volunteer Services
6.9%
■ Support Services ■ Administration
17.7% 50.9% 21.5%
10.9%
* Including Depreciation of 1,546
78.8%
For complete financial results, prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the USA, refer to the report on Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for Braille Institute which is available on our website: www.brailleinstitute.org. 24
LEADERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Lester M. Sussman, C.P.A.** Managing Director, Resources Audit Solutions, Resources Global Members James B. Boyle Jr., Esq. Boyle, Olson & Robinson, Attorneys at Law Thomas K. Callister Resource Management & Marketing Solutions Michael C. Corley* KPMG L.L.P., Chair, Audit Committee Caryl O. Crahan Percy Duran III James H. Jackson* Vice President & COO, Alisal Guest Ranch Richard C. Larson*** Richard C. Lawton Michael J. D. Lindsay* John F. Llewellyn* Chair, Finance and Nominating Committees Richard A. Nelson* Chair, Philanthropy Committee John G. Nuanes* Chair, Program Review Committee Jeanne Olenicoff James J. Rhodes* Managing Partner, Proteus Environmental Technologies Harvey Strode* Philip V. Swan* Private Trustee George E. Thomas* Thomas Partners Investments, LLC, Chair, Executive Compensation Committee David J. Wiegand* Diane Wilkinson * Executive Committee Member ** Executive Committee Chair *** Life Member
CLINICAL ADVISORY BOARD Ronald E. Smith, M.D. Chair Robert Avery, M.D. Mark Borchert, M.D. Richard Casey, M.D. Ron Gallemore, M.D. Bartly J. Mondino, M.D. Steven Schwartz., M.D. Roger Steinert, M.D. Bill Takeshita, O.D. Richard N. Weinreb, M.D. MANAGEMENT Leslie E. Stocker, Jr. President Peter A. Mindnich Executive Vice President Sally H. Jameson Vice President of Programs and Services Reza Rahman Vice President of Finance David L. Burkhardt Vice President of Philanthropy Anthony J. Taketa Vice President & General Counsel Nancy N. Niebrugge Assistant Vice President of National Programs Adama Dyoniziak Director of Strategic Programs DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS Jamie Aung Financial Services Henry C. Chang, Ph.D. Library Services Sally M. Cullman Philanthropy Janice Herzberg Human Resources Ryan Honey Digital Programs Courtney Kassel Marketing & Public Relations Sidney H. Metcalfe Facilities Susan K. Parker-Strafaci Child Development Mohamed M. Yassin Business Services
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Anita Wright Los Angeles Gene Mathiowetz Orange County Lisa Jimenez Rancho Mirage Richard M. Ybarra San Diego Michael R. Lazarovits Santa Barbara SUPPORT GROUP PRESIDENTS Aquinas Lightfoote Braille Institute Auxiliary — East San Gabriel Valley Pat Andersons Braille Institute Auxiliary of Santa Barbara Denise Sunseri Friends of Braille Institute San Diego Beverly Adair Associates of the Desert ADVISORS Milliman Actuaries Poindexter & Doutré, Inc. General Legal Counsel Grant Thornton Auditors Vanguard Group Investment Advisors REGIONAL COMMITTEES Orange County Charles Caldwell Thomas K. Callister Richard A. Nelson* David J. Wiegand Santa Barbara Caryl O. Crahan James A. Jackson* *Chairman ANNUAL REPORT Courtney Kassel Managing Editor Lynne Heffley Senior Writer FreeAssociates Art Direction/Design Joel Lipton Photography Southern California Graphics Printing
25
Our Donors Make It All Possible Braille Institute is built upon a strong tradition of philanthropy dating back to 1919, the year of our founding, when Mary and John Longyear’s generous gift first made the work of Braille Institute possible. And that same spirit of philanthropy carries on today through donations made by individuals, foundations, businesses, service clubs, volunteers, students, clients and staff — people like you, whose gifts continue to sustain and grow our vital programs and services. We do not seek government funding nor do we charge for any of our services. And the one constant since our founding is that the impact we have on the lives of blind and visually impaired men, women, children and their families each year would not be possible without our generous donors. We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave gifts of time or money to Braille Institute between January 1 and December 31, 2012. We could not benefit blind and visually impaired people without you! As we give recognition for support, space limitations allow us to list only those donors whose gifts qualified them for membership in one of the following donor recognition clubs.
It All Started With One Couple’s Gift To Braille Institute When a Montana cowboy, J. Robert “Bob” Atkinson was blinded by a gunshot wound, he discovered a sparse and expensive supply of braille reading materials. Experiencing frustration and a lack of resources, he was determined to eliminate the shortage of braille literature. So, in 1919, with our first donation of $5,000 from philanthropists, John and Mary Longyear, he began the Universal Braille Press which later became Braille Institute of America, Inc.
Mary Longyear, shown with J. Robert “Bob” Atkinson.
26
Since that first gift, we have grown from a small braille press (developed in Atkinson’s home garage) to five regional centers serving tens of thousands of blind and visually impaired adults and children each year. It all began with that first gift from John and Mary Longyear. It will continue for many years to come through the continued generosity of people like you.
DONOR HONOR ROLL PILLARS
Mr. Paul J. Corigliano
Mr. & Mrs. Erik A. Jorgensen
Ms. Gloria Darmour
Mr. Dave E. Kalinger
Ms. Virginia M. Davis
Dr. Solomon Kaplan
Mrs. Mary S. Vickie De Grazio
Mr. Stanley N. Karakawa
Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Deutsch
Mr. John E. Kelso
Ms. Doris E. Dosser
Mr. Leroy R. Keranen
Mr. John D. Duffin
Mr. & Mrs. Russell W. Kirbey
Ibrahim Eltorai
Mr. Neal Kleiner
Mr. & Mrs. John L. Endicott
Mr. & Mrs. William S. Lambert
Mrs. Carol Falvey
Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Lauter
Miss Charlene Farnsworth
Mr. Uri J. Leder
Mr. Armand Field
Mr. W. Stanley Lisiewicz
Braille Institute is blessed to have hundreds of loyal donors who belong to this club; however, space limitations allow us to list only those donors who have given gifts from January 1 through December 31, 2012, and who have made at least one donation a year for 30 or more years, not necessarily in consecutive years.
Ms. Karen M. Fink
Nancy M. Lusk
Mr. Stanley Fishfader
Ms. Natha R. Lusk
Mr. & Mrs. Sylvester Fitterer
Mr. Robert L. MacKay
Mr. & Mrs. John M. Fitzgerald
Ms. Kathryn W. Madara
Mrs. Lynda Freedman
Mrs. Alice Maher
Mr. Arnold Friedman
Leona Mandelbaum
Mr. & Mrs. Spart Galieti
Mrs. Estelle Markowitz
Ms. Eloina George
Mr. & Mrs. Donald L. Martin
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Aaron
Mr. Bruce Glidden
Mr. & Mrs. Orlando Martinez-Miller
Mr. John F. Albright
Mr. Fred A. Graham
Mr. George Matranga
Anonymous
Mrs. Muriel Green
Mrs. Roe A. Maurer
Mr. Howard R. Baker
Ms. Evelyn B. Greenwald
Mrs. Katherine M. McDaniel
Mrs. Fred Bartman
Mr. Jack Gumbiner
Mr. & Mrs. Clarence J. Miles
Mrs. Betty Baruch
Mr. & Mrs. Wilfred E. Haick
Mr. Wallace V. Mills
Dr. Richard W. Berlin
Mrs. Ruth B. Hanshe
Mr. Oscar L. Monroe
Mr. Walter J. Bloch
Mrs. Barbara Hayden
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Monson
Mr. John N. Borozan
Mr. Rufus L. Hayden
Ms. Martha Jo Morehouse
Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Brooks
Mona Hewitson
Mr. Neil W. Motter
Ms. Mary Jane Brown
Dr. Rosalyn S. Heyman
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry M. Myerson
Mrs. Edith N. Brownstone
Ms. Barbara C. Hoehne
Ms. Linda D. Ohmstede
Mr. Leonard C. Bunyon
Ms. Sally Hope
Mrs. Virginia H. Pepper
Mr. Barry L. Cagle
Mr. Hans Inpijn
Mrs. Stanley L. Perkins
Mr. & Mrs. William Cairns
Mrs. Virginia G. Irish
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Pflug
Mr. James D. Calderwood
Mr. Ben Izzo
Mr. Bruce G. Powers
Mrs. Solveig Carlsen
Mr. Marcus J. Jacobson
Mr. Jerry Rapport
Mr. Ken Carmichael
Mrs. Ida C. Jaqua
Mr. Gary Robinson
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Christopher
Mr. Richard Jilovsky
Mr. Jack Rogo
Mr. H. Perry Cook
Mr. Gregory S. Jones
Mr. Joseph J. Rosen
Pillars are donors who, in addition to their current gifts of cash, securities or property made in calendar year 2012, have made donations to Braille Institute for at least five previous years. Year after year, it is this group of generous friends that helps provide the strong financial foundation that has made it possible for Braille Institute to continue to provide its programs and services – free of charge – for the past 94 years.
27
DONOR HONOR ROLL Mrs. Betty L. Roudebush Mr. & Mrs. James N. Ryan
1919 CIRCLE
Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Simon
A giving circle, named after the year of our founding, that includes all donors who made gifts of cash, securities, or property, regardless of gift purpose, in a calendar year. (Excludes planned gifts and bequests, which are recognized separately.) As we give recognition for support, space limitations allow us to list only gifts of $1,000 or more (cumulative) between January 1 and December 31, 2012.
Ms. Gertrude Sirota
INDIVIDUALS
Mrs. Ottilie Schade Mr. & Mrs. Sigmund G. Schiff Mrs. Joan Schonig Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Schrimmer Ms. Joyce F. Schumann Mrs. Sherwood Schwartz Mr. & Mrs. Vincent E. Scully Mr. Thomas A. Sedgwick Dr. Joan Shipley
Bernard & Gwen Sklar Mr. Richard A. Smith Mr. Charles F. Smurr Mr. Yoram Stav
$50,000 to $100,000 Mary E. Burson Dot & Rick Nelson
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Boone Mr. William A. Bowles Gary D. Brown Gerald & Mary Jo Brown Mr. & Mrs. David Burkhardt Carmen Burner Mr. Richard L. Burroughs Mr. & Mrs. Thomas L. Cadman Mr. Charles B. Caldwell Thomas K. Callister Carl Champion Amnart Charoensukvanich Mr. David T. Chesavage Ms. Marian K. Chuan Jane P. Clark Mr. Robert Clary Robert & Sue Clayton
Mr. & Mrs. Burt Stern
$25,000 to $49,999
Mrs. Courts Cleveland
Mr. & Mrs. Seymour Strauss
Mr. Bernard Schecter
Mr. Randall S. Cline
Herbert & Elaine Strickstein
Ms. Ruth Stasneck
Ms. Donna B. Cloninger
Pearl M. Stuckwish & Michael R. Ito
Mr. & Mrs. David Wiegand
Mr. Louis L. Colen
Mr. John L. Tallis Mr. Kay Tamaki Ms. June Teitsworth Miss Grace H. Thomas Mrs. Daniel V. Tudor Lois Vaughan Ms. Jean P. Wagner
$10,000 to $24,999 Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Becker Franklin D. & Phyllis M. Halladay Judge Meredith A. Jury Palmer Langdon Mr. D. Kenneth Richardson
Ms. Lorena E. Cope Ms. Sara Coyle Mr. & Mrs. Lue Cramblit Mr. James R. Creighton Mr. & Mrs. Francis L. Crowley Ms. Alene Cutsinger Mrs. Alice E. Dart
Mr. Ted Tetsuo Waki
$1,000 to $9,999
Sara (Jean) Davis
Mr. Milan R. Weiss
Ms. Ruth T. Abraham
Bertha De Gregory
Ronald & Roberta White
Mr. Herbert S. Abrams
Mrs. Kristina Linn Dendinger
Mr. & Mrs. George Winard
Mr. Sidney Ackert
Michael & Regina Dowd
Ms. Joan Wiseman
Ms. Dale Altman
Mrs. Louise Downes
Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy L. Andrews
David Dunn
Anonymous
Mrs. Manny Dwork
Mr. Jefferson W. Asher, Jr.
Mrs. Lois W. Dyk
Ms. Charmaine Blatt
Mr. & Mrs. James B. Elmlinger
Mrs. Tybe Blink
Mr. & Mrs. John L. Endicott
Dale & Rosemary Bohlka
Ms. Deanna Epley
Ms. Lisa Bookout
Mr. Bill Evans
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Mr. Robert H. Feldman, USMC (Ret)
Mr. Paul T. Kozaki
Mr. & Mrs. John G. Nuanes
Mr. Alan Frank
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Kwan
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas F. Oakley
Frem Family
Richard & Shirley Larson
Ms. Jeanne Olenicoff
Mr. Fred French
Mr. Richard C. Lawton
Mrs. Esther Ortiz
Mr. Herb Friedenthal
Mr. & Mrs. Jerry G. Leigh
Ms. Maria Otero
Ms. Bette Fritz Bielefeldt
Ms. Betty B. Letteau
Ms. Virginia Covell Parham
Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Fuller
Eli Levine
Ms. Janie Parker
Ms. Mary B. Galvin
Mr. Fred Linden
Glenn T. & Kathleen C. Patmore
Dr. Lily George
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J.D. Lindsay
Mrs. Audrey Perkal
Ms. Florencine W. Gerard
Dr. & Mrs. George Lobley
Mr. James J. Pinola
Mr. Barry S. Goldbaum
Mrs. Laurel Logan
Mr. Frederick Pitzman
Mr. Paul Goldenberg
Diana J. Longenberger
Homer A. Ralles
Mr. Fred W. Griggs
Lee & Megan Loughnane
Mr. William Rapien
Anna M. Hafeli
Mr. and Mrs. Lowe
Mr. Jerry Rapport
Ms. Dowrene Hahn
Doris T. Luster
Mr. Albert Rea
Mr. Russell J. Harder
Mr. Steward Macaulay
Mr. Randolph E. Richardson
Ms. Dorothy M. Harkness
Mr. Parker Mahnke
Mr. & Mrs. George D. Robison
Iwalani Harris
Mrs. Jeanette Malin
Mrs. Hilda Rolfe
Mr. & Mrs. Howard E. Harry
Mr. Louis P. Malory
Mr. Joel B. Rothman
Ms. Lenora Harth
Mrs. Phyllis Margolies
Kenneth Rothschild
Mr. Rufus L. Hayden
Mr. William L. Marlin
Mrs. Mary C. Sandage
Mrs. Charlotte Alpine Hayes
Mr. & Mrs. John Martinez
Mrs. Shirley G. Saxon
Catherine L. Hazlett
Mr. Ray Mattson
Mr. William H. Schnieders
Ms. Helen E. Hoag
Mrs. Adelina McAndrews
Mr. & Mrs. Robert S. Schrimmer
Mr. Jones Howell
Ms. Alice McConnell
Ms. Louise Schultz
Mr. & Mrs. Allen Jaffy
Paula McConnell
David & Rosy Schwartz
Mrs. Sally H. Jameson
Ms. Beverly McDonald
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Scully
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony J. Jolles
Mr. William C. McIntyre
Mr. & Mrs. Vincent E. Scully
Solomon & Lucy Kaplanian
Ms. Ann McKenzie
Mrs. Arlene Sgueglia
Dr. Solomon Kaplan
N. Jeanine McMahon
Dr. Joan Shipley
Mr. Arnold Karlson
Ms. Eileen Miller
Dr. Yossi Sidikaro
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Karlson
Ms. Mary F. Miller
Ms. Frances Siegel
Mr. Philip B. Kearns
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Mindnich
Barbara Siniscalchi
Mr. & Mrs. Leon E. Kent
Mrs. Lorene Moran
Mr. Martin Small
Mrs. Deborah Kessler
Mr. Wilbur Morley
Mrs. Pauline Smith
Ms. Betty Kiker
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Murphy
Mr. Lester J. Steffens
Mr. Dan Kilmer
Mr. Subramanyan K. Murthy
Karen & Cliff Stember
Mr. & Mrs. Russell W. Kirbey
Mr. David L. Myers
Mr. Milton F. Stevens
David & Mary Koop
Betty M. Nance
Mr. & Mrs. Leslie E. Stocker, Jr.
Mr. David A. Kourlas
Dale & Michael Nissenson
Ms. Charlotte Stradtman
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DONOR HONOR ROLL Kaiser Permanente Fontana and Ontario Medical Centers
Lester & Linda Sussman
FOUNDATIONS/ CORPORATIONS/SPECIAL GROUPS
Mr. Philip V. Swan
$1,000,000 and more
Mrs. Barbara Talbert
Henry L. Guenther Foundation
La Vista Foundation for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
Mr. & Mrs. Eduardo Suastegui Mr. Chien Feng Sun
Robert & Sue Talley Ms. Agnes Tam Mrs. Allie E. Tegner George & Bonnie Thomas
$100,000 to $999,000 AS&F Foundation Branna and Irv Sisenwein Charitable Foundation
The Karl Kirchgessner Foundation
Walter Lantz Foundation The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation Dan Murphy Foundation
Elaine F. Stepanek Foundation
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation
Ms. Mary Janell Vail
$50,000 to $99,999
Ann Peppers Foundation
Ms. Marilyn Vandever
Nichols Enterprises, L.P.
Mrs. Susan Treiman Dorothy M. Trygstad
Mr. Arnold Aubert Vernon Mr. & Mrs. John C. Wallace Mr. Jack M. Waterman
$25,000 to $49,999 Boand Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. John S. Welch
Braille Institute Auxiliary, East San Gabriel Valley
Mr. & Mrs. Pierce Wenthur
Goldbaum Charitable Foundation
Ms. Glenna J. White
George Hoag Family Foundation
Mr. Truman B. White Ms. Beverly Whitmore
Callie D. McGrath Charitable Foundation
Ms. Judith B. Whitsit
The Johnny Mercer Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Godfrey H. Williams
Ullman Foundation
Mr. Howard O. Wilson Keith Wishon James L. & Shirley Wood Mr. Philip P. Woodward Clara Wu
The Lucille Ellis Simon Foundation Lon V. Smith Foundation Donald T. Sterling Charitable Foundation Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Tarsadia Foundation The Walter J. and Holly O. Thomson Foundation United Agencies, Inc.
$10,000 to $24,999 Anonymous
$1,000 to $9,999
The Beverly and Frank Arnstein Foundation
Ms. Barbara Ann Wylie Ms. Effie C. Yamano
Braille Institute Associates of the Desert
Mr. Edward W. Young
Braille Institute Auxiliary
Esther Zabin
The Bruce Ford and Anne Smith Bundy Foundation California HealthCare Foundation City of Laguna Woods dot.dat.inc The Don and Lorraine Freeberg Foundation Frank and Joseph Gila Fund Josephine Herbert Gleis Foundation
30
Meta & George Rosenberg Foundation
I. N. and Susanna H. Van Nuys Foundation
The Cecile and Fred Bartman Foundation
Mr. Gordon C. Zwirtz
The Patron Saints Foundation
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians The Allergan Foundation Argyros Family Foundation David S. Ascher Charitable Foundation The Augustyn Foundation Trust B P O Elks #794 Braille Institute Auxiliary of Santa Barbara Carol Young Brooke Foundation Byram Memorial Trust of the California Community Foundation California Community Foundation Centro Pedag贸gico Mar铆a Montessori The Champions Volunteer Foundation
City National Bank
Leon and Toby Gold Foundation
Arnold and Kay Clejan Charitable Foundation
Hayford Family Foundation
NBC, MSNBC, KNBC Universal Foundation
The Heller Foundation of San Diego
Olympic Maintenance of America
Betty Corradini Endowment Fund of the California Community Foundation
The John C. Hench Foundation
Orange County Society of Ophthalmology
Cushman Foundation Delta Gamma Foundation Catherine C. Demeter Foundation
Philip Hohnstein Family Foundation The Ann Jackson Family Foundation The Gerald M. and Elizabeth A Jennings Foundation
Paramount Pictures Corporation Pasadena Showcase House for the Arts Pomona Host Lions Club
Keiter Family Foundation
The Raynie Foundation
Lewis A. Kingsley Foundation
Shambhala Martial Arts
KPMG LLP
Sikand Foundation, Inc.
La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club Foundation
Ken Soubry Foundation
La Jolla Kiwanis Foundation
Sidney Stern Memorial Fund
The Ruth Lane Charitable Foundation
Thoren Family Charitable Trust
Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation
Lark Ellen Lions Charities
ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America, Inc.
Elks of Los Angeles Foundation
Livingston Memorial Foundation
Tri-County Optometric Society
Farbstein Family Charitable Foundation
The Los Angeles Breakfast Club Foundation
Union Pacific Foundation
Desert Healthcare District Desert Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Florence R. Devine #1 Fund of the California Community Foundation Florence R. Devine #2 Fund of the California Community Foundation
Evelyn & Norman Feintech Family Foundation Samuel I. & John Henry Fox Foundation Georges & Germaine Fusenot Charity Foundation
Garnette and Lloyd McVey Family Foundation The Lluella Morey Murphey Foundation
South Coast Plaza
United States Association(USABA) of Blind Athletes Universal Network Television LLC #11 Walmilly Foundation
did careful research and determined that Braille “We Institute was not only a wonderful place, providing invaluable services, but the organization is well run and fiscally responsible. The cause is near and dear to our hearts, and we’ve seen firsthand how Braille Institute is truly a lifesaver to a lot of people.
”
— Chanel and Jeff Friesen, J. Robert Atkinson Heritage Society Members
31
DONOR HONOR ROLL PLANNED GIFTS Planned gifts, also known as deferred gifts, help to secure Braille Institute’s future. We wish to thank and recognize those individuals who made irrevocable planned gifts to Braille Institute during calendar year 2012. Anonymous Dr. P.N. Danailov Margaret J. Doty Rochelle Gollin Anna M. Hafeli
VOLUNTEERS
DONATED
MORE THAN
137
THOUSAND
HOURS OF
SERVICE
TO HELP KEEP OUR
PROGRAMS
FREE 32
Mr. Bert Levy Julie Anne Soske
GIFTS IN KIND Gifts in kind are non-monetary gifts of tangible goods that either in themselves, or from proceeds resulting from their sale, help support the mission of Braille Institute. We wish to thank all those who made donations of gifts in kind during calendar year 2012. However, space limitations allow us to only list those whose gifts were estimated to be of a value of $1,000 or more.
IN MEMORIAM & TRIBUTE GIFTS By making a gift in memory of or in tribute to a friend, associate or family member, you can honor a special occasion, pay tribute to someone you care about or celebrate the memory of a loved one. Recognized below are individuals who had gifts made in their name totaling $1,000 or more in calendar year 2012.
IN HONOR OF: T.D. “Curley” Griggs Thomas Oakley Cliff Stember
IN MEMORY OF: Mildred S. Burkhardt Kathleen Chesavage Everett Clark Marletta Doose Sherma Harriet Frank Les L. Galloway Melinda Gassman Troy Fred Griggs Cornelia Harry Vivian Hart
Mr. John Armstrong
John & Lowry Hench
Mr. William Gumma
Mary Koop
Sandra S. Kass, Esq.
Fred Linden
Ms. Carolyn Miller
Ailie Mattson
Ms. Sandy Spallino
Genevieve Miller
Thibiant International
Marie Ozurovich Linda Patrick Dr. David S. Saxon
EMPLOYERS WITH MATCHING GIFT OR EMPLOYEE-DIRECTED GIVING PROGRAMS
Medco Employee Giving Campaign
In 2012 Braille Institute received gifts from the following companies through either an employer gift matching program or an employeedirected giving program.
Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Aging and Disabilities Charities
Merck Partnership for Giving Microsoft Giving Campaign Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
The Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts The Quaker Chemical Foundation Matching Gift Program
Allstate Giving Campaign
Scitor Corporation Matching Gifts Program
America’s Charities
Sempra Employee Giving Network
Amgen Foundation Matching Gifts & Staff Volunteer Program
Symantec
Arrowhead United Way AT&T United Way Employee Giving Campaign
United Way, Inc. United Way of Greater Los Angeles United Way of San Diego County
Bank of America Matching Gifts Program
United Way of San Luis Obispo County
Bank of America United Way Campaign
United Way of the Columbia — Willamette
Blue Shield of California Matching Gift Program
United Way, California Capital Region
Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation
Verizon Foundation, Inc.
Chevron HumanKind Matching Gift Program Combined Federal Campaign Deloitte United Way
United Way of Santa Barbara
UPS Workplace Giving Campaign Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign Yahoo Matching Gifts Program Zurich American Insurance Company
BEQUESTS FROM WILLS AND TRUSTS From Braille Institute’s very beginning, bequests have been essential to our financial well-being. In fact, they are the most significant means by which we receive financial support. Since 1919, hundreds of friends, volunteers, students, and clients have chosen to make bequests to Braille Institute through their wills or trusts as a meaningful way of being permanently identified with the significant work of the Institute. The income received from bequests through wills and trusts helps to ensure that for years to come thousands of blind and visually impaired people of all ages will have a brighter future. With deep gratitude, we honor the memory of the following individuals whose bequests provided income during calendar year 2012. Ms. Mary Joaquina Abascal Edwin B. Altman & June B. Altman Anonymous Ms. Ernestine J. Antolini Ms. Genetta T. Arnold Mrs. Ruby R. Aspeotis
ECHO, Northrop Grumman Employees Organization
Ms. Natoma Lillian Astor
Edison International Employee Contributions Campaign
Mr. Harry Baker
Goodrich/Rohr Employees Will-Share Club IBM Employee Charitable Giving Campaign
Ms. Helen Phillimarie Austin Albert D. Berard & W. Douglas Steinmetz Mrs. Cecile Betts Ms. Lucy Birzis
Liberty Mutual — Give with Liberty Campaign
Mr. Hal Jay Blase
The Henry Luce Foundation Macy’s Associates’ Giving
James B. & Jane R. Bradford Endowment
Macy’s Foundation Matching Gift Program
Mrs. Norma Brecher
Mrs. Gertrude H. (Samuel) F. Bowlby
Marie F. L. Brady
33
DONOR HONOR ROLL Mr. T. Nash Broaddus
James W. & Margaret Manila Howard
Mrs. Eleanor R. Pratt
Mrs. Betty Burns
Mr. Rock Hudson
Lt. Col. Robert D. Price
Mrs. Harriet L. Burns
Mr. Marvin D. Kahn
Mrs. Cleta A. Query
Mrs. Elfie E. Campioni
Marilyn C. & Clyde G. Kaufman
Miss Ruth M. Reed
Mr. T. Robert Chapman
Ms. Claire G. & Thomas B. Kegley
Mrs. Blanca Flanagan Rios
Mr. Robert Elden Clark
Ms. Winifred R. Kenley
Ms. Alice M. Roark
Kay & Sydney Cole
Mrs. Marjorie F. King
Mrs. Grace S. Robinson
Ms. Margaret A. Conley
Mrs. Marion Lederer
Mrs. Eleonore M. Rolfe
Mr. Carl W. Connell
Ms. Susan F. Leine
Mrs. Elizabeth C. Rone
Kenneth Cooper in Memory of Marion Cooper Frahm
Mrs. Mary C. Lepkin
Mrs. Joyce Rosenberg
Ms. Linda L. Lindgren
Ms. Barbara M. Ross
Mrs. Hazel M. Crismon
Mr. Edward M. Lipsett
Ms. Ilse Roth
Ms. Lucille L. Cuvata
Ms. Bertha Lorch
Mr. Walter Schaarsmith
Ms. Dorothy M. Dawson
Ms. Anita A. MacKenzie
Ms. Muriel V. Self
Ms. Patricia Dawson
Mr. Henry Mayer
Mrs. Adele Selldorff
Ms. Sara B. Delaney
Mrs. Virginia S. McCallum
Mr. Kenneth Floyd Serota
Ms. Celeste Dickinson
Mr. Martin H. McDonald
Benjamin & Esther Sharer
Mrs. Stella Dickinson
Ms. Mary Moore McFarland
Ms. Marjorie Leu Skala
Mr. James Dineen
Florence V. & Francis L. McGraw
Ms. Rae L. Slavut
Donald and Lorraine Dratwa
Mr. Roy Daniel McPhail
Mrs. Lillian C. Smith
Mrs. Neva H. Easton
Herman & Ella H. Medwin
Mrs. Rosemary Hancock Smurr
Mr. John Kenneth Ehretz
Mrs. Louise F. Mollath
Mrs. Barbara Spooner
Mrs. Mary Louise Ekholm
Evelyn & Leon Morgan
Mr. William Spreen
Mr. Francis D. Fetty
Mrs. Josephine E. Moser
Mrs. Gentil Steinbrecher
Mr. Laurence B. Flaws
Mrs. Elissa Newlander
Mr. Charles Edwin Stricker
Mr. Nathan Frank
Mrs. Gladys Nicholl
Mr. Robert H. Studenberg
Mrs. Dorothy Mullholland Gillespie
Joseph G. & Pearl S. Noh
Mrs. Frederica Stumpf
Mrs. Elsinore Machris Gilliland
Mrs. Marie J. Norris
Mr. Bernard Subkoski
Mrs. Beatrice Glube in Memory of Howard Glube
Mr. Albert B. Nyquist
Mr. Robert G. Swaile
Mr. Harry W. Ofshay
Ms. Elaine Taft
Ms. Margaret M. Oremus
Richard C. & Virginia L. Van Degrift
John R. & Elizabeth S. Parker
Emily & J. Benton Van Nuys
Cony T. & Leila F. Payton Memorial Fund
Mrs. Dorothy Vanderveld
Joseph & Evelyn Pertusati
Mrs. Jacobin Weiner
Robert & Maevron Peterson
Mrs. Margaret Lee Whittemore
Miss Anna K. Pfeiffer
Mr. Thomas L. Williams
Mrs. Mary J. Phosky
Mrs. Cecile Woods Lewis
John Jack & Sophie G. Pick
Mrs. Della E. Yodelis
M. Neal and Barbara Keenan Goff Mrs. Shirlea E. Grahame Ms. Pearl A. Gray Mr. Wilbur C. Grosse Dr. John A. Haberland Ms. Katherine Biedermann Hagenbuch Dr. Massih Hakami Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Hartman Richard C. & Carrie M. Heramb Mr. Jeffrey D. Hibbard Fred & Lucille Hirsch
34
Ms. Iris Pinsky Virginia & Burt W. Polin
THE J. ROBERT ATKINSON HERITAGE SOCIETY
Evelyn Bourne
Jeff & C. Chanel Friesen
Mary A. Bowler
Mr. Sanford Gerber
Mr. & Mrs. William B. Brende
Ms. Andrea Giambrone
Basia Bressickello
Lu Gilbert
June Koenig Brouhard
Thelma Ginzler
Mr. Windford R. Brown
Lillian H. Glassman
Lori Brown
Carl & Jeanette Goldbaum
Gerald & Mary Jo Brown
Rochelle Gollin
Mr. & Mrs. George Buckhalter
Jean B. Goodwyn
Mary G. Bullard
Ron L. Gordon
Mr. & Mrs. David Burkhardt
Ida Gottsdanker
Marvin A. & Maxine L. Burnett
Dr. & Mrs. W.N. Guddal
Mary E. Burson
Anna M. Hafeli
Thomas K. Callister
Franklin D. & Phyllis M. Halladay
Harriett Celinscak
Martha Halstead
Cindy Chan
Sally M. Hammes
Venus Devina Charistma
Heinz & Thelma Hanau
Marion A. Christoffel
Roger J. Harmon
Bruce & Jo Ann Clark
Mrs. Mary M. Hart
Charlotte Abrams
Gertha Collins
Mr. & Mrs. Jay R. Hatfield
Manuel Acosta
Pauline K. Crawford
Gladys Haynie
Marjory M. Alsdurf
Pilar Curren
Catherine L. Hazlett
Anonymous
Shirley Rhode Curtis
Dr. Rosalyn S. Heyman
Kathy Andre
Ms. Roberta Dabow
Dr. Robert V. Hine, Jr.
Carmen Apelgren
Msgt. George DaCorte, USMC Ret.
Mary Hope
Jean Arley
Dr. P.N. Danailov
Joseph E. Hynes
Thomas & Arloah Artingstall
Doris Denning
Alzia Jackson
Mrs. Fannie “Bobby” Avrut
Margaret J. Doty
Ralph & Virginia Jacobs
Thomas J. Baldwin
Lorri Driscoll
Norman & Rose Jaffe
John J. Baro
Keith & Earline DuFault
Mary Allison Joyce
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Barofsky
Virginia A. Ellis
Milt Kandl
Loraine I. Barr
Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Emery
Frances B. Kaplan
Bernice Barth
Janice L. Boisclair
Mr. Stanley A. Katapka
Mr. Jack Bechtel
Florence Esposito
Mrs. Rose Kempf
Mr. David Beddow
Ms. Mia Ferrell
Mr. & Mrs. Russell W. Kirbey
Amelia “Pat” Bianconi
Estelle Fields
Dr. Rozella S. Knox
Mr. & Mrs. William B. Billingsley
Ralph Flood
Dr. & Mrs. Carl Korn
Harris J. Bloch
Jane K. Fox
Mr. David A. Kourlas
Mark S. Bobry
Bobbe Frankenberg
Arthur Kusuhara & Marguerite Garner
Evelyn P. Borden
Eunice Friend
Mark Lambert
When you leave a bequest to Braille Institute through a will, trust, retirement plan, savings account, life insurance policy, charitable gift annuity or other instrument, you are helping to ensure that thousands of blind and visually impaired people of all ages will have a brighter future. If you wish, you can also be recognized as a member of our prestigious J. Robert Atkinson Heritage Society. Named for our founder, the Heritage Society honors those who have notified us that they have set aside gifts for Braille Institute in their estate plans. It is our great pleasure to recognize below all active members of The J. Robert Atkinson Heritage Society.
35
DONOR HONOR ROLL Mr. Joseph K. Landau
Robert E. Peterson
Milton R. Stark
Shirley J. Lane
Janet L. Powell
Mr. Lester J. Steffens
Palmer Langdon
Mrs. Dorothy Pratt
Mr. & Mrs. Leslie E. Stocker, Jr.
Richard & Shirley Larson
Mrs. Helen Proctor
Mrs. Susie Stockton
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Lawrence
Homer A. Ralles
Shirley P. Struble
Lewis Lazarus
Jeremy C. Randall
Janet Swanson
Mrs. Elizabeth B. H. LeMenager
Harold & Joy Rattray
Robert G. Terry Jr.
Joan & Henry Levy
Ralph A. Reinhard
Mr. Sean Thomas
Kenneth W. Lintz
Lucille M. Rice
Muriel Thomson
Nate and Ruth Lipscomb
Suzanne Zolfo
Mrs. Roy C. Turney
Diana J. Longenberger
Joan A. Risse
Cheryl & Terry L. Tyler
Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Lucky
Linda Robbins
Eileen Fontaine Ulrich
Mrs. Dorothy MacCulloch
Marjorie H. Roberts
Marie-Louise Van Horne
Mrs. Jeanette Malin
S. Roguin
Lois Vaughan
Leona Mandelbaum
Kenneth Rothschild
Mr. Lloyd Vogelweid
Sandra & Terence Marsh
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Rule
Davis H. & Jean E. von Wittenburg
Helen Marto
Rose Salomon
Marjorie B. Wahl
Alma Mathias
Bill & Doreen Sanders
Ms. Esther G. Walker
Natalie McCabe
Cornelia M. Sauble
Janice E. Wall
Mr. Ramsay McCue
Art & Jean Schroeder
Monty & Patricia Waller
Mr. & Mrs. Ron Meyer
Joann L. Schulwitz
Ms. Nancy Wannberg
Robert & Sara Moore
Esther S. Schuster
Mrs. Jack L. Watson
Margaret Moran
Merle Schwartz
Catherine Watson
Patricia A. Morey
Mrs. Carol Settimo
Ms. Doris L. Weber
Sydne Morrison
Judy A. Shackelford
Dr. Donald M. Weitzman
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Murphy
Evelyn Hamil Shopp
Mrs. Marie Wickes
Dr. William Murray
Gretchen Sibley
Robert N. Williams
Tracy Nadeau
Elayne Sidley
Karen Williamson
Betty M. Nance
Mrs. Walter E. Simmonds
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Wilson
Dot & Rick Nelson
Barbara Siniscalchi
Marion Winagura
Angela Nowlin
Ms. Mary Smiley
Mr. Philip P. Woodward
Mr. & Mrs. Alfred Nutt
Mr. & Mrs. Sherman Smith
Esther Zabin
Ms. Barbara Oberle
Ms. Lois M. Callon Smith
Ms. Remedios Pacquing
Mr. Richard M. Smyser
Marvin J. Paffenroth
Ruth Sollet
Glenn T. & Kathleen C. Patmore
Mr. Karl Sommer
Mr. Robert M. Pedraglia
Julie Anne Soske
Ricardo & Julia Pena
Marian Stanley
Josephine Pendino
Pauline W. Stanley
Mildred Perlin
Alida J. Stanton
36
Help us meet new challenges! As you consider ways you might contribute to Braille Institute, we suggest you examine the advantages of a planned bequest. Every year, bequests help ensure that Braille Institute will be there for thousands of blind and visually impaired children and adults to light their way to a brighter future.
51
%
of Braille Institute’s total income last year came from bequests from wills and trusts!
Perhaps you have thought about making a large charitable gift to Braille Institute, but decided you could not afford it right now. You may be concerned about your own financial security and that of your family. But virtually everyone has the resources to give a gift larger than he or she ever dreamed possible after his or her lifetime – by making a bequest through a will or trust. And for 94 years, hundreds of friends, volunteers, students and clients have chosen a bequest to Braille Institute as a meaningful way of being permanently identified with our mission of eliminating barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss.
Leaving a bequest through your will or trust is easy, simply include the following language: I give (X dollars or X percent or all of the residue of my estate) to Braille Institute of America, Inc., a California Nonprofit Corporation with principal offices currently located at: 741 North Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029-3594 Tax identification number: 95-1641426 Date of Incorporation: September 20, 1961 For more information on planning a gift for Braille Institute, please call our Planned Giving office at 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553), Ext. 1256, or visit us on the web: givetobraille.org
NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LOS ANGELES, CA
741 North Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029
www.brailleinstitute.org | Headquarters Los Angeles 741 N Vermont Ave Los Angeles CA 90029 (323) 663-1111
Rancho Mirage 70-251 Ramon Rd Rancho Mirage CA 92270 (760) 321-1111
PERMIT #9473
1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553) Orange County 527 North Dale Ave Anaheim CA 92801 (714) 821-5000
San Diego 4555 Executive Dr San Diego CA 92121 (858) 452-1111
Santa Barbara 2031 De La Vina St Santa Barbara CA 93105 (805) 682-6222
Upon request, this annual report is available on CD or in braille. Š 2013 by Braille Institute of America, Inc.