RestoringVision Appoints Jayanth Bhuvaraghan and Ambassador (ret.) Mary Ann Peters to its Board of Directors
San Francisco, CA (November 15, 2021):
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RestoringVision, a leading global nonprofit dedicated to addressing the unmet need for eyeglasses in impoverished communities across the globe, announced the appointments of Jayanth Bhuvaraghan and Ambassador (ret.) Mary Ann Peters to its Board of Directors. Bhuvaraghan and Peters will serve along accomplished industry leaders and business influencers to guide RestoringVision into a successful future poised for high growth.
We are thrilled to welcome Jayanth and Ambassador Peters as new directors to the RestoringVision board,” said Kevin Hassey, Chair of the board. “Jayanth has extensive experience in the global optical and philanthropic sectors. Ambassador Peters has extensive experience in international development, and has held leadership roles as former U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh and former CEO of The Carter
Center. As prominent global leaders, they will play an important role in amplifying the work of RestoringVision as the organization scales to reach 10 million people a year.”
Jayanth Bhuvaraghan is a strong campaigner for greater eye health access and awareness, and is a well known global expert in the eye care sector. He is deeply committed to bringing good vision to everyone everywhere, and is credited for creating sustainable vision care access to over 400 million people in the developing countries along with his teams in Essilor. Jayanth recently retired as Essilor Luxottica’s Chief Mission Officer. He is a passionate believer in business as a force for good, and currently works as Sr. Advisor & Coach with various organizations to help them discover their purpose and drive purpose driven transformation.
“RestoringVision has been doing stellar work to bring good vision and transform the lives of millions of people around the world,” said Jayanth Bhuvaraghan. “I am very excited to join the board to support the next phase of growth and work towards eliminating poor vision from the world in a generation.”
Ambassador Mary Ann Peters is an innovative global leader with deep experience guiding large organizations in times of both stability and crisis. She spent more than 30 years as a U.S. diplomat and served as U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh. She also served as the CEO of The Carter Center, where she led a worldwide effort to resolve conflicts, strengthen democracy, and improve global health. Peters is currently Ambassador in Residence and Professor of Practice at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves on the boards of The Asia Foundation, Project Hope, and the Futures Council of the Human Vaccines Project, among others. Ambassador Peters is also a sought-after speaker and published author.
“I am honored to join the board of one of the most effective organizations I know, RestoringVision,” said Ambassador Peters. “Enabling people to see well enables them to work, to read, to sew, to plant and to harvest, offering a brighter future to them and their families. What is especially exciting for me is RestoringVision’s emphasis on partnership and collaboration to empower people around the world by improving their sight.”
“Our Board of Directors play a critical role in advancing our mission to restore vision for millions of people in need,” said Pelin Munis, Executive Director. “We are thrilled to welcome and partner with Jayanth and Ambassador Peters and to channel their expertise and passion into helping our organization grow to its next levels. The demand for our program has increased substantially over the last two years and engaging the support of leaders, who today comprise our board, will enable us to achieve our ambitious goals.”
The RestoringVision Board of Directors consists of Kevin Hassey, General Manager of Eyeglass World; Erwin Cho, Senior Director of Service Strategy and Innovation at Kaiser Permanente; Jayanth Bhuvaraghan, Sr. Advisor and Coach of EssilorLuxottica; Reade Fahs, CEO of National Vision, Inc.; Chris Harris, Partner of FFL Partners; Myles Lewis, CEO of General Vision Services; Pelin Munis, Executive Director of RestoringVision; and Ambassador (ret.) Mary Ann Peters. Other key individuals include Nira Jethani, Treasurer; and Mark Sachs, Founder, Chair Emeritus, and Advisor.
About RestoringVision
RestoringVision is a leading global nonprofit dedicated to addressing the unmet need for eyeglasses in impoverished communities across the globe. Each year, the organization helps millions of people living on less than $2/day gain clear vision in order to increase productivity, continue working and earning an income, learning, and performing everyday tasks. Since 2003, RestoringVision has reached over 19 million people in 136 countries with its programs. For more information, visit restoringvision.org. ###
Sep – Oct Newsletter: Let’s End 2020 on a High Note!
Dear Partners and Friends of RestoringVision,
Thanks to your deep commitment to our organization, mission, and our shared vision, we have been able to help 1.3M people see clearly so far this year. While we are incredibly proud of this accomplishment, the reality is that the need for our services is much greater and continues to increase. Hundreds of millions of people have fallen into deeper poverty with less discretionary income. For them, eyeglasses are even less affordable and accessible than ever.
As we enter the final months of 2020, we have a unique opportunity to write the closing chapter of this year. We will get to decide how we will conclude our most unprecedented year. And with this in mind, we invite you to take one more big step to help those navigating the crisis with poor vision. Join us in bringing clear vision to the most vulnerable so they may remain safe and productive, employed and contributing for themselves and their families.
As always, thank you for being on this journey with us.
Best regards,
Pelin Munis, Ph.D.
Executive Director, RestoringVision
PROGRAM UPDATES
A Journey of Adaptation and Resilience
During these unprecedented times, we’ve transformed and enhanced our work so that the gift of clear vision can continue to reach those who need it most – especially now when the insurmountable barriers to seeing clearly are further compounded by the pandemic.
We developed new ways to stay connected with our network of over 2,300 service delivery partners. This has enabled us to strengthen our relationships and build up resilience together.
We’ve also renewed our commitment to our partners by launching several new initiatives that allow them to continue supporting their communities and in-country partners, even in the face of this pandemic.
Photo credit: Food For The Poor. Guatemala. 2020.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
Let’s End the Year Strong Turning #GivingTuesday into #GivingSightDay!
#GivingTuesday, the world’s biggest generosity movement, is coming up on December 1st, and for the 5th consecutive year, we’re turning it into #GivingSightDay.
Our goal this #GivingSightDay is to help 50,000 more people living in impoverished communities worldwide to remain productive, sustain their livelihoods and improve their overall quality of life by restoring their near vision.
Celebrate generosity and the many ways Vision Brings Us Together by making a donation today. Each dollar you give will provide someone in need with a pair of reading glasses to bring them clear vision.
We have even more news and updates to share with you! Please click here for the full version of the newsletter.
RestoringVision Receives Grant from Optometry Giving Sight
RestoringVision is honored to be a recipient of a $5,000 COVID relief grant from Optometry Giving Sight! We’re incredibly grateful for their support during these unprecedented times when clear vision is more critical than ever before. On behalf of all of us at RestoringVision and the people we serve, thank you!
Jul-Aug Newsletter Special Edition: 17M Thanks to YOU!
We have even more news to share with you! Click here to read the full version of this special edition newsletter.
May – Jun Newsletter: Now More Than Ever, Bring Hope Into Focus
Dear Partners and Friends of RestoringVision,
Together, we continue to navigate these unprecedented times. In these moments, we have the opportunity to define more clearly who we are and who we aspire to be. At RestoringVision, we look to our values to guide us: Doing good with integrity, being fiercely committed, and enhancing the lives of everyone involved. We stand to serve all because we serve humanity. Of this, I’m incredibly proud, today more than ever.
For millions of people, there are insurmountable barriers to seeing clearly that are further compounded by the events of the world today. The lack of access to glasses due to undeveloped or failed markets and poverty are the two most important barriers. Our partners break those barriers each time they bring glasses into a community where glasses are not available or affordable for those without discretionary income. For many communities in many countries, this is the stark reality.
This is why the work we do together is so critical. Thank you for making our cause part of your life’s mission and for continuing to take glasses to the field and donating to help advance our mission. Every dollar contributed, every pair of glasses provided to a person in need makes a difference, now more than ever.
Best regards,
Pelin Munis, Ph.D.
Executive Director, RestoringVision
ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATES
RestoringVision Launches Initiative to Support the Ultra-Poor in Bangladesh
RestoringVision is thrilled to share that together with the Dr. K. Zaman BNSB Hospital, we launched the Red Card Holder initiative on June 1 to provide new reading glasses to the ultra-poor in the district of Sherpur, Bangladesh. This initiative is part of the Clear Vision Collective (CVC), an innovative network comprised of ten eye care organizations, including RestoringVision, as wel as the Bangladeshi Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The CVC’s goal is to provide new glasses and vision care to the residents of the district of Sherpur. It is expected that over 80% of the people receiving the glasses will be getting their first-ever pair.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
One Hope: Restoring Vision
Due to the impact of COVID-19, funding of RestoringVision’s projects is more critical than ever. Our largest global health and humanitarian nonprofit partners work aggressively to provide much-needed supplies and services to the communities they serve. Their requests for glasses have grown during these challenging times. With growing rates of poverty and the vital role that glasses serve in maintaining a safe, productive life, providing clear vision is more important now than ever. These projects depend on funding from generous donors like yourselves. Therefore, we invite you to help make an impact on the lives of the most vulnerable and make a gift today.
Other Ways to Bring Hope Into Focus
Here are other ways you can support RestoringVision and bring hope into focus for the most vulnerable, now when the ability to see clearly is more critical than ever:
- Order a RestoringVision t-shirt here – NEW!
- Create your very own fundraiser on Facebook.
- Explore the many other ways you can give the important gift of sight during this health and economic crisis here.
PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SERVICE DELIVERY PARTNERS
Giving the Gift of Sight in Your Own Backyard
As the COVID-19 pandemic is having a profound impact on Americans, RestoringVision would like to invite our service delivery partners to support the most vulnerable in your local communities by providing them with clear vision. With our new distribution resources for safely dispensing glasses while social distancing, you can make an immediate and significant difference in the lives of people living in the US in disadvantaged conditions that are compounded by the pandemic. Order glasses today here.
We Now Ship Worldwide
Clear vision is needed now more than ever! At RestoringVision, we’re committed to doing everything we can to support the work of our service delivery partners and the people that you serve. That’s why we are now offering international shipping for those of you who want to support the critical work of your in-country partners. Contact us to learn more or place your order.
We have even more news and updates to share with you! Please click here for the full version of the newsletter.
Press Release: RestoringVision Thanks Optical Industry Leaders for #GivingTuesdayNow Support
RestoringVision Extends its Gratitude to the Optical Industry Leaders Who Supported its “One Hope: Restoring Vision” Campaign on #GivingTuesdayNow
San Rafael, CA (June 2, 2020): RestoringVision, the largest global nonprofit provider of new reading glasses to people living in impoverished communities around the world, had a successful #GivingTuesdayNow with its “One Hope: Restoring Vision” campaign. Thanks to the support of 13 optical industry companies, RestoringVision was able to reach an audience of more than 1M people through digital channels.
Launched on May 5, 2020, #GivingTuesdayNow was created as a new global day of giving in response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. The optical industry companies that unleashed the philanthropic power of their networks in support of the “One Hope: Restoring Vision” campaign currently donate to RestoringVision through corporate gifts and cause-marketing programs.
“The passion and commitment of our Corporate Partners never ceases to amaze me. We’re grateful to them for rallying their networks on #GivingTuesdayNow in support of RestoringVision. This crisis has compounded issues for those navigating it without clear vision, and our work has never been more important. Thanks to these companies and their constituents, our “One Hope: Restoring Vision” campaign raised critical funds that will enable us to continue serving the most vulnerable,” said Pelin Munis, Executive Director, RestoringVision.
Here’s a list of companies that brought hope into focus together with RestoringVision on #GivingTuesdayNow:
To learn more about RestoringVision, visit their website, or follow @RestoringVision on all social media platforms. To learn more about RestoringVision’s Corporate Giving programs, click here.
About RestoringVision
One-third of the global population, 2.5 billion people, suffer from vision impairment and its consequences. Of those, 500 million people only need reading glasses to restore their vision but live in impoverished communities with no access to available, affordable glasses. This is one of the biggest global health issues of our time, impacting people’s productivity, health, safety, education, and quality of life. RestoringVision is dedicated to solving this problem by providing new, high-quality reading glasses to people in need around the world. Since 2003, RestoringVision has helped over 16 million people see clearly in more than 130 countries, and it continues to impact millions of lives each year. This year, the Year of Vision, RestoringVision has a goal of reaching 20 million people helped by the end of 2020. To learn more and contribute, please visit www.restoringvision.org.