leadership
Beth W. Smith headshot

Beth W. Smith

Chair, Board of Trustees

Larry Benders headshot

Larry Benders

President and Chief
Executive Officer

Message from Leadership

As leaders of Cleveland Sight Center, our job is to steer the organization in the right direction and follow our “true north.” Our true north is community. Specifically, the community of people we have the opportunity to work alongside and support in navigating the visual world.

We live in a visually-oriented world where so much of daily life is built on the premise that everyone has clear vision. But, Cleveland Sight Center recognizes that everyone’s vision is different and can change over time.

We are here to provide the support and tools needed to navigate this visually-oriented world so individuals can live the lives they want with the vision they have. In 2023, we did this by:

  • iconCompleting the renovation of our Store and Clinic, creating a one-stop-shop and seamless transition for our clients and patients.
  • iconExtending the hours of and creating scholarship opportunities for our Preschool, making it more accessible for families.
  • iconExpanding recreational activities for clients, including field trips across Northeast Ohio.
  • iconStrengthening our Early Intervention program through new certifications received by staff, helping our youngest clients reach critical developmental milestones.
  • iconFocusing on helping individuals find meaningful employment after becoming visually impaired.

Thanks to the support of our donors, volunteers and partners, CSC can continue working towards our vision of a world where the quality of one’s sight does not determine the quality of one’s life. We could not do this without you.

We invite you to learn more about the impact you helped make in our 2023 Report to the Community. Thank you for all of your support.

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About Cleveland Sight Center

Cleveland Sight Center (CSC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) agency and consists of a team of professionals dedicated to our mission of providing the support and tools needed to navigate the visual world. Our specialized staff assess individuals of all ages with empathy and professionalism, seeking to help them understand their unique vision-related needs and how our services can help them achieve their goals.

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What Was CSC’s Impact?

impact

CSC’s Preschool Focused on Serving the Family Unit

Cleveland Sight Center’s Preschool staff understand that a student and their family’s success is one in the same. In order for us to provide the best care to our students, we must also support their caregivers. In the fall of 2023, we began providing before and after school care to better accommodate our family’s needs. Families were eager to participate with nearly 85% using these extended hours!

Take a virtual tour of CSC’s preschool to learn about the many ways our specialized staff help students prepare to navigate the visual world by watching this video.

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BY THE NUMBERS:

%

of students met their developmental goals in the 2023 school year.

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Preschool students participated in

hours of learning.

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The Clinic and Store’s Renovation Streamlined the Client Experience

Before the renovation, the Store, Clinic and occupational therapy spaces were located in different areas within Cleveland Sight Center. Through this renovation, the three spaces were combined to create a more seamless and holistic experience for patients and their families.

In addition to offering a more cohesive experience, the renovation provides:

  • check-iconIncreased accessibility for individuals with blindness or visual impairments - each low vision exam room features all-new optometric equipment and technology that allows our staff to adjust the lighting (brightness and color tone) to the specific needs of each patient.
  • check-iconIncreased accessibility for patients in wheelchairs and white cane users by expanding the amount of open space.
  • check-iconAn additional low vision exam lane and pre-testing space allows us to give low vision exams to young children and serve more patients.
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"The new Store and Clinic renovation is absolutely beautiful!” said Barb Piascik. “Now that the spaces are combined, I see family members shopping and learning more about assistive technology image while the client is being examined by our doctors."

– Barb Piascik, Retail Manager of CSC’s Store.

The impact of this renovation is felt by clients. Since the new space opened, we have heard from patients that the bright environment lifts their spirits the moment they walk in and they appreciate that everything they need is all in one space. Please click on the button below to watch a video of Larry Benders, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Sight Center, touring the new space.

Watch a video of Larry Benders, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Sight Center, touring the new space.

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Kylee wearing glasses and smiling

BY THE NUMBERS:

Low Vision Exams
provided

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%

of patients reported increased skills in using their remaining vision.

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%

of clients reported they were satisfied with the services they received.

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Helped Individuals Find Meaningful Employment

From teens getting their first jobs to adults looking to get back into the workforce after becoming visually impaired, CSC’s Employment Services Team works with each individual to help them find and keep a job they enjoy. CSC offers a variety of employment services to equip adults with the skills and tools needed to excel in their careers. We focus on each individual’s needs, interests, goals and skillset to connect them with employment opportunities. Often, this is through our employment partners who were carefully vetted to ensure they will meet and understand each person’s accessibility needs.

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Allan in broadcast booth wearing headphones
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BY THE NUMBERS:

clients received employment services

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%

of clients reported they were satisfied with the services they received.

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Increased recreational field trips into the community

Recreational activities are designed to enhance overall well-being, independence and confidence while providing opportunities to socialize and build community with others. CSC greatly increased the amount of recreational programming offered this year, ensuring individuals feel a sense of belonging and purpose. This included all-day recreational programming on Tuesdays, educational presentations with guest speakers and a full summer program of field trips.

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BY THE NUMBERS:

Nearly

%

more recreational programming sessions were offered in 2023 compared to 2022.

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In 2023, CSC served

clients through recreational programming.

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Early Intervention Team brought their services to the next level

With two Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) ascending arrow icon licenses added to the team, the Early Intervention team can offer deeper levels of services for the families of our youngest clients. Through these added licenses, more of our staff can introduce the white cane during home visits to help our youngest clients navigate the visual world.

These licensures strengthen the EI program and enhance the breadth of services CSC can provide to children and families.

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James smiling
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BY THE NUMBERS:

children, ages ranging from newborns to 3-year-olds, received services from CSC’s Early Intervention Team

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%

of children achieved or made progress towards their goals.

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Looking Toward the Future

Cleveland Sight Center exterior sign

As Cleveland Sight Center looks to the future, our strategic plan acts as a map, guiding us in the right direction. The five-year plan, which began in January 2024, prioritizes offering innovative and high-quality programming, investing in our staff and building a greater presence within the community. With a focus on these three goals, CSC will serve more people each year while expanding upon our excellent programming and a positive internal culture.

When one renovation project ends… another one begins! This time, the section of CSC reserved for vision rehabilitation image is getting a makeover. Our current space is designed to mimic a traditional home - featuring a kitchen and laundry space where our specialized staff train individuals on techniques and tools that will support them in completing daily tasks. The renovation will expand upon this, offering even more simulated environments that one may come across daily, including a grocery store, restaurant, bedroom and more. Once finished, this state-of-the-art-facility will showcase our commitment to being the leading provider of vision rehabilitation.

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Walkers at the 2023 White Cane Walk

White Cane Walk returns to Cleveland Sight Center on June 1, 2024. White Cane Walk is a celebration of the many ways individuals navigate the visual world. The annual fundraising event features a one-mile walk around Wade Lagoon in University Circle and a celebration to follow with family-friendly fun, music, food and games! With an expected attendance of around 700 people, we are excited to come together as a community and celebrate our collective belief in creating an accessible world for everyone.

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CSC Volunteers serving food to preschoolers

Donors and Volunteers

In 2023, 1,327 generous individuals, foundations, and organizations donated to CSC, and volunteers completed over 4,000 hours of service in support of the blind and visually impaired community.

Thank you for all you do to make sure everyone can live the life they want with the vision they have.

Quote Icon “The biggest of the biggest thank you to all Cleveland Sight Center donors. You’re like fairy godparents. I don't know really how to put that in words, except that from the deepest part of my heart, thank you.”

– CSC client who received assistive technology through a donor funded program

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A special thank you goes out to all of the members of our giving societies. You have made an incredible impact – thank you.

  • The Foresight Society: Established to honor all individuals who have made a legacy commitment to support Cleveland Sight Center in their will, estate plans, life income plans or other means.
  • The Champions’ Society: Members have given gifts totaling $5,000 or more.
  • The Leaders’ Society: Members have given $2,500 to $4,999.
  • The Ambassadors’ Society: Members have given $1,000 to $2,499.
  • The Advocates’ Society: Members have given $500 to $999.
  • Friends: The following donors provided a gift up to $500.
  • The Partners’ Society: Members have made a recurring gift to Cleveland Sight Center.
Quote Icon "Donors are making a difference in our lives. By being able to receive CSC’s resources, guidance and help, my son has a better chance at life thanks to them.”

- Jessica Quiñones, Emmett’s mom

Board of Trustees

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Executive Leadership Staff

  • Larry Benders, President and Chief Executive Officer
  • Kevin R. Krencisz, Executive Vice President
  • Susie Meles, Vice President, Rehabilitation Services
  • Jassen Tawil, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
  • Judith Weyburne, Vice President, Client Operations
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2023 Financial Report

Balance Sheet

Assets
  • Cash, receivables, inventory and prepaids

    $3,604,143
  • Endowment and beneficial trust investments

    $134,492,211
  • Property and equipment

    $10,321,983
  • TOTAL ASSETS

    $148,418,337
Liabilities
  • Payables and accrued expenses

    $801,331
  • Donor annuities

    $199,715
  • TOTAL LIABILITIES

    $1,001,046
Net Assets
  • Without donor restrictions

    $66,951,601
  • With donor restrictions

    $80,465,690
  • TOTAL NET ASSETS

    $147,417,291
  • TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

    $148,418,337

2023 Financial Report

Statement of Operations

Revenue
  • Public support

    $1,343,434 10%
  • Retail sales

    $70,994 1%
  • Social enterprise revenue

    $3,667,426 29%
  • Program and other service fees

    $1,477,163 12%
  • Endowment and trust revenue

    $6,066,374 48%
  • Endowment and trust revenue

    $12,625,391 100%
Expenses
  • Program services

    $10,169,225 82%
  • Management and general

    $1,350,651 11%
  • Fundraising

    $811,988 7%
  • Endowment and trust revenue

    $12,331,864 100%
  • Surplus (Loss) from Operations

    $293,527 100%
Revenue pie chart

Revenue

$12.625 Million in 2023

image Public support
image Endowment and trust revenue
image Retail sales
image Program and other service fees
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Expenses pie chart

Expenses

$12.332 Million in 2023

image Program services
image Fundraising
image Management and general