Breakthrough T1D is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Its goal is to progressively remove the impact of T1D from people’s lives until we achieve a world without T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and a working plan to better treat, prevent, and eventually cure T1D.
This Association became a state project in 1983. ABANJ is a non-profit organization run in accordance with USABA (United States Association of Blind Athletes) to competitively compete in Paralympic Events. Lions provide funds that enable blind New Jersey athletes to compete nationally and internationally. Funds are used to provide training facilities, transportation and other expenses involved in preparing for or participating in the games. Proven athletes help with the training of a new generation of blind athletes.
The Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey (LEBNJ) was founded in 1970 at the College of Medicine and Dentistry of Newark. Known then as the Eye Bank of New Jersey, it became the Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey in 1988 when it became a Multiple District 16 Project, and in 1993, became a State project. LEBNJ serves the 14 northern and central counties of New Jersey.
A fully independent, charitable organization which serves Lions Multiple District 16. It is unique in that all Lions in good standing in New Jersey are automatically members of this Foundation. The Board of Trustees is composed of five elected trustees from each of the 5 sub-districts and as well as each of the 5 current District Governors as voting Trustees of the Board.
Voted a state project at the 2005 State Convention, MAVIS is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing musical instruments and specialized music instruction to legally blind persons throughout the State. Students benefit by gaining confidence, greater independence and improved opportunities for socialization and employment.
The New Jersey Camp for Blind Children, commonly known as Camp Marcella, Inc., has provided a summer camping experience for blind children for over a half a century. It has grown into the premier facility it is today primarily from the support of the NJ Lions. A two week camping experience is provided each summer for visually impaired children ranging in age from 5 through 16. Activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, skating, bicycle riding, basketball, bowling and arts and crafts are provided. In addition, a computer facility and a library are also available for the campers’ use.
St. Joseph’s School for the Blind has been providing specialized services to individuals with visual impairments across New Jersey since its founding in 1891 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in Jersey City. Today’s campus includes a state-of-the-art facility which was designed specifically to serve the disabled and reflects the School’s growth as a premiere provider of educational and social services.
Vision Loss Alliance of New Jersey empowers those with vision loss to live engaged, productive and independent lives. We create and deliver expert programs and services that build confidence and improve the quality of life for individuals living with vision loss.
Since 1972, The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children, located at 126 27th Street in Avalon, NJ has been providing a seashore escape for visually impaired children, with supervision from experienced and certified counselors and administrators. Since many of these children come from families with limited financial means, the vacation experience is provided to them at no charge. The camp operates for eight weeks during the summer months, from mid-June to mid-August, with approximately 20 children (ages 7-15) attending weekly.
The Lions Blind Center serves the blind and visually impaired community of Atlantic county and North Cape May County. It helps to empower the blind and visually impaired to set goals and to achieve in an environment where sight loss will not impede progress. The new facility in Absecon helps to open the world of high tech to the blind and visually impaired. It offers computer classes, exercise classes, Braille and peer support. The Center also provides information, referral and advocacy.
This project was adopted at the 2001 State Convention. The organization serves blind and the sight impaired in such areas as comprehensive information and referral service, housing information and consultations, multi-media transcription services (raille, large print, audio cassettes, etc.), transportation consultations, organization planning, counseling people with blindness and adjustment counseling of the newly blind and their families. A newsletter providing information on these programs and services is published periodically.
Formerly known as the Lions Eye Bank of the Delaware Valley, Lions Clubs members from the states of New Jersey, Delaware and southeast Pennsylvania founded the LEBDV in 1957. What was once a volunteer effort has grown into a professional, nonprofit organization. Since 1957, the eye Bank has provided tissue for more than 40,000 individuals who have received the “Gift of Sight” through corneal transplant. Countless others have been helped through medical research and education make possible with tissue recovered by the eye Bank staff.
1910 was a time when the blind or visually impaired were held in disdain and often institutionalized just for being blind. It was at the same time; four courageous blind men defied the odds and established The NJ Blind Mens Club. They incorporated in 1917, and their efforts resulted in what has become the oldest nonprofit organization in New Jersey, that for the past 115 years, has been providing free services to the blind, visually impaired their families and caregivers.
The Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program was adopted as an official project of the Lions Clubs International in October 1994, and approved as a state project in May 2000. The goal of the program is to promote eyeglass collection and recycling to meet the demand for quality eyeglasses in developing nations.
The Eye Institute has three primary goals: Service, Research and Education; Service to the community in eye care, Research to apply the most advanced technology to a variety of ocular/visual problems, Education through medical education and a residency program and health care.