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Lighthouse Guild’s Innovative Tech Pals Program Receives $10,000 Grant from Iveric Bio, an Astellas Company, In Recognition of World Sight Day

The grant supports intergenerational mentorships and continues an established partnership

Published

7 months ago

October 16, 2023

(PRESS RELEASE) NEW YORK – In recognition of World Sight Day, Lighthouse Guild has received a $10,000 grant from Iveric Bio, an Astellas Company, to support its innovative Tech Pals program.

This new program is an intergenerational technology training program where tech savvy young adults (aged 18-24) who are blind or visually impaired, serve as mentors to older adults (aged 55+) who are also visually impaired and want to become proficient in the use of their mobile phones and tablets. The mentors receive extensive training on techniques for teaching as well as on-going support through a collaboration with Cyber-Seniors, a non-profit organization based out of Canada that provides virtual intergenerational technology training to typically sighted seniors.

Piloted with support from the Readers Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, this grant will help this new program to expand and improve.

“The Tech Pals program not only provides participants with skills and support, but also meaningful connections,” said Calvin W. Roberts, MD, President & CEO of Lighthouse Guild. “We thank Iveric Bio for their generous gift to support this new initiative, and we are pleased to partner with them in celebrating World Sight Day.”

Iveric Bio has previously supported Lighthouse Guild through employee volunteerism with clients focused on career and job skills as well as engaging in the GuildCare program.

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