ON-SITE CONTACT: Alli Romero, SEE Program Coordinator
M (980) 230-9454

CHILDREN WHO ARE BLIND GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC AT THE CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY’S ORCHESTRA OLYMPICS

Local children who are blind or visually impaired are heading to the Orchestra Olympics, a youth-focused program offered by the Charlotte Symphony. The children are part of SEE (Student Enrichment Experience) Charlotte, a new resource in the Charlotte area offering weekend experiences, after-school program and summer camps.

SEE Charlotte program coordinator Alli Romero keeps the activities varied and fun so that the children and their families have a special time to build relationships and share experiences. She also wants the children to participate in the Charlotte community by bringing them to events like the Orchestra Olympics and joining with service projects such as making clay bowls for the upcoming fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank.

SEE Charlotte is run by nonprofit IFB Solutions, based in Winston-Salem and the largest employer of people who are blind. The SEE program is completely free thanks to the generosity of IFB donors and grants. IFB began the SEE program in Winston-Salem more than a decade ago with expansions over the years to Asheville and now Charlotte.

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to more than 40 office supply stores and optical centers across the country. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible the SEE program for children who are blind or visually impaired, IFB Community Low Vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark., and Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse based in Winston-Salem. www.ifbsolutions.org