Bringing Kids Into Focus – Sep 15, 2021

Sep 15, 2021

Let’s Give Kids Sight

Too many children and teens don’t have regular visits to the eye doctor primarily because vision care is expensive, even with insurance. This means that many kids are not able to see the page in a book, see the whiteboard in a classroom, or see the ball on the field.

That’s why Give Kids Sight Day (GKSD) is back again this year – our 12th if you’re counting.

Once again, we’re partnering with Wills Eye Hospital, Essilor Vision Foundation, Jefferson Health, and the School District of Philadelphia to deliver free vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to kids in need.

With the help of dozens of volunteers working our remote call center, Children First is scheduling virtual eye screenings for 700 children and teens in southeastern PA. Because GKSD serves uninsured or underinsured children, we also use the registration process to connect families with our HealthLine to find free or affordable health insurance.

The screenings will take place on Saturday, October 9th and kids found in need of full eye exams will be scheduled for socially-distanced appointments at Wills Eye on October 16th.

Here’s how you can help:

Volunteer on our remote call center. Using your own cell phone and computer/tablet, you can make appointments during your volunteer shift. Calls are routed through the Children First phone system, so your number remains private. There are lots of shift options to fit your schedule and multiple training sessions are coming up starting tomorrow.
Share GKSD flyers with your networks. Download and share to help us spread the word. Please note that the remote screenings can easily accommodate kids in everyone has to travel to Wills Eye in Philadelphia for the eye exams.
English / Arabic  /  Bengali  / Burmese / Chinese  / French
Haitian Creole  /  Hindi  /  Indonesian  / Khmer / Nepali
Portuguese  /  Russian  / Spanish / Vietnamese

Together we can give children and teens a future to look forward to!

Attend a Community Budget Meeting

Philadelphia students cannot afford fewer teachers or other support staff. City Council can vote to prevent those cuts. Speak up on behalf of students! Attend one (or more) of the upcoming public events and tell councilmembers, “No cuts to schools!” Sign Up, Show Up, Speak Up because Our Kids Are Worth It. Need help with your testimony? Check out our testimony as well as these talking points. We can also help – reachout to frangyp@childrenfirstpa.org. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.

Postcards: Print, Sign & Share

These postcards are available for your community group or organization to print and share with your members. Postcards can be dropped off to 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 600 or you can scan and send to info@childrenfirstpa.org. We also have printed postcards available to pick up at our office. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.

Lower Travel Costs! Options are available.

The Mayor’s proposed tax on ride share companies will protect public schools and ensure students have the resources they deserve. If ride share companies choose to pass these costs directly onto riders, there are options for individuals with disabilities to help lower their travel costs. Click the image to download a PDF that you can share.