WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – IFB Solutions recently honored its employees, volunteers and vendors for their commitment to helping IFB Solutions provide jobs, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. IFB Solutions, a nonprofit corporation with manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, Asheville and Little Rock, Ark., is the nation’s largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired, and provides a broad range of services, including its Community Low Vision Centers, Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse, and SEE (Student Enrichment Experience) after-school and summer camps for children.

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According to Prevent Blindness North Carolina, more than 25,000 preschoolers and close to 350,000 school-age children have visual problems. Children like seven-year-old Aiden Bradley who was born with vision challenges and whose family struggled for many years to find resources that would help make the most of what vision he did have.

“It was very frustrating for me as a parent not to be able to immediately connect him with the services he needed,” said Aiden’s mom Amanda. “We saw countless specialists before we finally found our answer at the Community Low Vision Center in Winston-Salem.”

The Community Low Vision Center (CLVC) is operated by nonprofit IFB Solutions, headquartered in Winston-Salem, the largest employer of people who are blind in the country.

Read more about Aiden’s story and the Community Low Vision Center.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Lynn Drake of Winston-Salem was named the overall IFB Solutions Employee of the Year. She joined IFB Solutions almost 10 years ago and has worked in 13 different manufacturing operations. Drake also served as a Low Vision technician at IFB’s Community Low Vision Center. Currently, she is a sewing machine operator on the Physical Training Uniform line and, along with her guide dog, Kenny, is a popular stop on IFB’s regular community tours of its facility.

 

Read the whole story here.

If you’re not familiar with the work that Industries for the Blind (IFB Solutions) does for our community, we’d highly recommend learning more about them in our #AshevilleSpotlight. This nonprofit is on a mission to create opportunities for the visually impaired or blind, and provides manufacturing jobs for more than 55 in Asheville.

 

Read more here. 

IFB Solutions Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Programs Nicole Ducouer was invited to write as a guest blogger for Triad Moms on Main. In her article, she writes about IFB Solutions’ Community Low Vision Center and the opportunities it provides for young readers who are blind or visually impaired.

 

Read Nicole’s article here. 

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — ‘Blind Adventure Camp’ screens during the RiverRun film festival in Winston-Salem starting Saturday at 5 p.m. It will take place at SECCA in Winston-Salem. Tickets are $10 online.

See the story here.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — At the sixth annual Live Well Expo, people got the chance to learn more about health and wellness through education and free health screenings.

At the live cooking demonstrations, one local chef served up inspiration for the community.

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Ed Vest has joined IFB Solutions as controller. Previously, he was with BB&T for 25 years, serving as corporate controller for seven years and most recently Vest was the company’s Corporate Strategy and Funding Manager. At IFB, Vest will be responsible for planning, directing and coordinating accounting operations.


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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — North Carolina’s top ranked blind bowlers are facing off in Winston-Salem for a statewide head-to-head match-up. The Charles E. Roane Invitational Tournament is hosted by the Forsyth County Blind Bowlers, many of which are employees at IFB Solutions.

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Last week, IFB Solutions and Luxexcel, the only company in the world with technology that can 3D-print custom ophthalmic lenses, provided more than a dozen local students with free eyeglasses.

The eyeglasses, which where made at IFB Solutions using the printer developed by Luxexcel, were distributed on Thursday, March 7, at the IFB location on North Point Blvd. As the students from various schools across the district entered the building, they were greeted by the smiling faces of the IFB team.

According to event organizers, the students were selected based on need. In a press release Michael Pesce, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools director of social work, said one of the biggest challenges they face is making sure students have what they need to be successful and that’s why they are grateful for the partnership with IFB and Luxexcel.

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