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Text Box:       For the past three years the African American Blind and Visually I Male Support  group has been very effective  in engaging a segment of the population that was not interacting fully with the NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired or other mechanisms that would get people productive and involved within their communities.          I’ve been a member of the African American B/VI male support group for over a year and recently became president at the end of last year. This organization was initiated by CBVI counselor, Mary Ann Masonette, who noticed a high percentage of African American blind and visually impaired men were not utilizing and completing set plans to get them back to work and/or active within the community. They were falling between the cracks. In sealing the cracks, she introduced to, and received approval from, her superiors to implement a successful plan.           I was a former Senior Customs Inspector when I lost my sight. I am totally blind and a single parent with a teenage son to raise. I did not feel totally connected with my community or  the CBVI nor was I knowledgable  about resources until I  joined this support group and became a member of the Commissions Consumer Advisory Board. In the support group, men share information, encourage, and suggest various avenues to resolve complex problems. A reservoir of valuable experience is disseminated amongst men of like struggles. Since joining the group, I’ve seen men gain employment, enhance or redirect their vocational skills, and become active within their communities by educating the public about the people who are blind and visually impaired. Our meetings have had from 10 to 26 members. Some consumers have stepped away for a while, but a majority of them eventually come back, if they’re not working. We’ve invited numerous guest speakers that furthered our mission.   SO COME ONE, COME ALL! The next 3 meetings are on the last Friday during the months of April, May and June 2005 between 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm at JKRC, New Brunswick.   Article written by James Jasey.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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