The Seeing Hand Association, Inc
Contact Information:
Address: 750 Main St
Wheeling, WV
Name of Program Funded through UW: Employment programs for the blind and visually impaired
Contact Name: Karen Haught
Phone Number: 304-232-4810
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://seeinghandassociation.com
What is The Seeing Hand Association?
The agency’s mission is to help the blind and visually impaired lead full and independent lives. The signature program provides employment opportunities for the blind and visually impaired. The unemployment rate among the blind is 70%. If they have a secondary disability, the unemployment rate is 90%. Employment opportunities in the on-site workshop include refilling and selling refurbished fire extinguishers, caning chairs, assembling mops, and janitorial duties. Administrative job duties include outreach, phone canvassing, visual support, and marketing. Seeing Hand also owns and manages Edelman Garden on Wheeling Island. Employees work throughout the garden season planting, harvesting, and selling fresh produce to local individuals and nonprofit organizations. Our actual mission statement reads “The Seeing Hand Association, Inc is committed to assisting all ages of blind and visually impaired persons living in the Upper Ohio Valley to receive the needed services for individuals and families to achieve the quality of life, self-sufficiency, and independence.” Each and every day we strive to offer and sense of normalcy to those who cannot experience the world through their eyes.
How does United Way support The Seeing Hand Association?
All of our programs at The Seeing Hand fit the criteria of health, education, and financial stability. The program funded by The United Way falls under all of the above categories with an emphasis on financial stability. The United Way’s investment in our organization is for the support of EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES for the blind and visually impaired and the employment program support employees. The goal of this program is to give every blind or visually impaired person wishing to work a place to do so. We do this by 1. Refurbishing Fire Extinguishers. 2. Caning chairs, making mops, painting, and crafts, and many janitorial duties. 3. Our vertical garden. 4. Marketing and Outreach which includes attending home shows and outside events, phone canvassing, and visual support.
The above programs help fulfill our goal of giving blind and visually impaired individuals an employment opportunities. Chances are if we did not exist our workers would not have income from gainful employment. Our workshop is a safe environment where the workers congregate among others with like disabilities. It is not only a source of income but a source of peer support and a chance to interact with others who understand the daily challenges of living with the loss of vision.
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About the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley
The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley supports Ohio County, Tyler County, Marshall County, Wetzel County, Brooke County in West Virginia, and Belmont County and Monroe County in Ohio. Donating through your local United Way is the best way to reach the most people in need.
The United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley is an organization that supports nonprofit organizations in our area through annual campaigns, payroll deduction fundraising efforts, and individual donations. These community-minded people combine donations from employees and businesses alike to help assist those who need it most. The support from the annual campaign is then allocated to nonprofit programs through our volunteer allocations panels. We support 40 programs (and counting) in the upper Ohio Valley that tackle the toughest needs in the Ohio Valley. Consider giving to the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley today.