Bringing Our Mission to Life for Homeless Youth
By Essilor News
Most of us can’t imagine what it’s like to be homeless. Among the many challenges is getting health care, including an eye exam. So when Essilor of America (EOA) sales consultant Monet Diamante had the opportunity to work with Urban Street Angels in her San Diego community to help homeless youth get eye exams and glasses, she jumped at the chance.
“I love the mission of Urban Street Angels and it was on my mind for a while to do something like this. They’ve had various health services provided for them, but vision care always gets lost,” explains Monet. “When the head of the organization asked if I could help him get glasses for one of his youth, I approached Pack and Bianes Vision Care and was elated when they suggested we make a big day out of it. I knew if there was a practice that would want to participate, it would be this team.”
“The community has been a blessing to us and we always want to give back through community service,” says Beverly Bianes, OD. “And the kids were so grateful. These are just normal kids who’ve had a bad break, so we were thrilled to be able to help. For us, the true happiness is giving back.”
The doctors and staff volunteers saw 14 young adults in the Urban Street Angels program, and one alumni from Monarch School, a school in San Diego for homeless youth. All received comprehensive eye exams and those needing correction received frames donated by local vendors and lenses provided by the Eyezen team at no cost. The glasses were provided by Essilor Vision Foundation. “Wow! I can see everything!" one young man exclaimed after he put on his new glasses and looked across the room to read a flier on the wall.
It’s clear that for EOA’s employees and its independent eyecare professional (ECPs) customers, the mission of improving lives by improving sight goes beyond providing eye exams in an office. All over the country, EOA sales consultants and labs partner with independent ECPs in their local communities to give back by providing eye exams and glasses to those in need, helping more people see better and live better.