VSP Global and U.S. Conference of Mayors Wrap Up 10-City Tour
More than 10,000 people received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear – VSP is quarter of the way to 2020 million more initiative
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., November 14, 2016 /3BL Media/ - The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and VSP Global announced today that more than 10,000 adults and children across the country have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear at the culmination of their yearlong partnership to help people in need see.
The partnership between USCM and VSP included mobile eye care clinics in 10 cities across the country. For each event, VSP provided no-cost eye exams and glasses for qualifying adults and children in need. The 10 cities that hosted clinics through this partnership were Atlanta, Columbus, Denver, Indianapolis, Louisville, Phoenix, Portland, Baltimore, New Orleans and San Francisco.
This year, after reaching a momentous milestone of having helped 1 million people see through Eyes of Hope programs, VSP committed to helping 1 million more by 2020. The USCM partnership helped to accelerate VSP’s effort. One year in, VSP has provided access to eye care and eyewear to nearly 280,000 people.
“Across America there are currently 46.5 million households that don’t have access to vision insurance and by working with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, we were able to identify not only the cities, but the specific communities within that are most in need,” said Jim McGrann, President and CEO of VSP Global. “We are humbled to have made significant strides in our effort to improve access to vision care where it’s needed most.”
“Clear vision is such an essential part of life and yet not everyone has access to these vital services,” said Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director, U.S. Conference of Mayors. “While each city was unique, there was an overwhelming identical feeling of gratitude that patients at all locations expressed.”
Each week-long event brought in patients by the hundreds. Whether being prescribed glasses for the first time or receiving an updated prescription after being without for too long, patients can now see clearly and achieve their full potential at school, at work, and at home.
The last stop on the 10-city tour was downtown San Francisco, in one of the city’s most distressed neighborhoods.
“We are dedicated in helping residents receive the highest levels of service possible from all areas of city government but we can’t do it alone,” said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. “Having a community partner like VSP deliver much needed services to our most vulnerable residents, can make a world of difference in their lives and in our ability to thrive as a city.”
For more information about the partnership and the Eyes of Hope: a Million More initiative, visit www.vspglobal.com/millionmore. For photos to include in coverage, please use the credited images here.
