Winter 2025 | Impact Newsletter

 

In This Edition:

Meet Kim Shoffner

Letter from the Editor

Advocating for Independence: Caroline Deheck, 2025 Volunteer of the Year

Cultivating Opportunity: Brent Burkholder, 2025 Career Achiever of the Year

You Make Independence Possible

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Meet Kim:

Lighting the Way for Others: Kim’s Journey to
Teaching IndependenceKim Shoffner

For nearly 90 years, IFB has created meaningful careers and programs for people who are blind or visually impaired. Our employees demonstrate every day that blindness is not a barrier to achievement but an opportunity to showcase talent, creativity, and leadership.

One of those leaders is Kim Shoffner, Training Supervisor at IFB Solutions.

Diagnosed at age two with retinoblastoma, Kim experienced progressive vision loss throughout her childhood and adulthood. In 2012, she lost her remaining sight—but she never lost her drive. With a background in special education, Kim embraced new tools such as Braille and screen-reading technology to continue living, working, and teaching with independence.

At IFB, Kim leads training courses that open doors for others who are blind. She teaches computer literacy, Braille classes, and independent living—ensuring that people of all ages gain the confidence to thrive in their daily lives and careers.

Through her work with Learning About Blindness (L.A.B.), Kim helps community members understand blindness through hands-on learning.

Kim’s journey is just one example of how people who are blind contribute their value and talent not only within IFB, but across their communities. Her story demonstrates what’s possible when opportunities are matched with determination.

Donors like you make these opportunities possible. Every gift to IFB Solutions fuels training, career pathways, and support services that empower people who are blind to live full and independent lives. Together, we are lighting the way for future generations of talent and celebrating the extraordinary value people who are blind bring to our workplaces and world.

 

 

Letter from the Editor

At IFB Solutions, we believe that talent, when nurtured and supported, can grow into something extraordinary. Across every department and program, we see how training, mentorship, and opportunities transform potential into progress.
In this issue, you’ll meet remarkable individuals who embody that growth. You’ll also hear directly from employees who share, in their own words, how your support has made independence possible in their lives.

Together, these stories remind us that talent knows no barriers—and that with the right opportunities, people who are blind or visually impaired enrich workplaces, strengthen communities, and lead with impact. Thank you for helping us continue this important mission.

Warm regards,

Anastasia Powell

Advocating for Independence: Caroline Deheck

2025 Volunteer of the YearCaroline Deheck: 2025 Volunteer of the Year

At IFB Solutions, volunteers are more than helpers—they are partners in creating opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired to thrive. Their time, energy, and talents open doors that lead to independence, confidence, and meaningful careers. This year, we are proud to recognize Caroline Deheck as the 2025 Kathryn Garner Volunteer of the Year, honoring her dedication to empowering others.

Caroline’s journey with IFB began as a teenager when she first connected with our mission. What started as a simple act of volunteering quickly grew into a lifelong commitment to advocacy and inclusion. Whether teaching, mentoring, or lending her support in countless other ways, Caroline has consistently invested her time in helping people who are blind discover their own abilities.

Her experiences at IFB inspired her to pursue a master’s degree at Vanderbilt University in teaching students with visual disabilities. Today, as a full-time teacher in Davie County, Caroline continues to carry that passion forward, working to ensure that people with vision loss have every opportunity to succeed in school, at work, and in life. She often shares that her time with IFB gave her a front-row seat to the incredible contributions people who are blind make when given the chance to excel.

Every day, people who are blind prove that when barriers are removed, their skills and talents enrich workplaces, strengthen communities, and drive innovation. Volunteers like Caroline play a vital role in making that possible by creating pathways for people with disabilities to flourish.

Thank you, Caroline, for being a tireless advocate for independence and a champion of opportunity.

 

Cultivating Opportunity: Brent Burkhholder

2025 Career Achiever of the YearBrent Burkholder: 2025 Career Achiever of the Year.

Scaling opportunity takes more than adding jobs—it takes cultivating the right talent. That’s the philosophy guiding Brent Burkholder, IFB’s Director of Workforce Development and Recruitment and our 2025 Career Achiever of the Year.

Born premature at 26 weeks, Brent faced early vision loss and the barriers that too often accompany it. After earning his degree from Penn State and a master’s from the University of Baltimore, Brent encountered challenges in finding an upwardly mobile career path—one that matched his education and ambition. His path changed when he joined the National Industries for the Blind Fellowship for Leadership Development, which introduced him to IFB Solutions.

For the past 11 years, Brent has been a vital member of IFB Solutions, leading recruitment efforts across all IFB locations and business lines. During that time, he and his team have recruited and onboarded more than 500 people who are blind or visually impaired, giving hundreds the chance to achieve meaningful employment and financial independence.

Over the past few months, Brent has expanded his role to help grow IFB’s Workforce Services (WFS) division—a program that connects highly trained, U.S.-based professionals who are blind or visually impaired with call center and administrative roles nationwide.

“Scaling a call center isn’t just about adding people,” Brent says. “It’s about ensuring every customer interaction is handled with care, speed, and professionalism. Our agents—who are blind or visually impaired—use advanced assistive technology and rigorous training to meet and exceed industry benchmarks.”

Before joining the Workforce Services team, each agent completes extensive skills testing and job-readiness training. Brent’s leadership ensures that talent is nurtured from recruitment through career advancement, allowing employees to grow their skills while providing exceptional service to clients across the country. His dedication reflects IFB’s mission to expand employment opportunities while cultivating excellence.

We’re proud to honor Brent as the 2025 Career Achiever of the Year—an example of how investing in training and workforce development transforms lives and strengthens communities.

 

You Make Independence Possible — Just Ask Them How

At IFB Solutions, we often say that your support changes lives, but don’t just take our word for it. Hear what your generosity means directly from students in our programs. Their answers? Honest and inspiring.
Whether it’s learning to use a computer with adaptive technology, reading the world in Braille, cooking a meal safely at home, or leading a community of peers—these moments of empowerment are made possible because of you.

They’re doing the work, but you’re making it possible.

 

Donathan Snow, Computer Training Student

Donathan Snow
Computer Training Student

“Learning JAWS screen reading software gave me a new outlook on using my navigation skills, and now I have more confidence when using my computer.”

Lynn Drake, Guide Dog Support Group President

Lynn Drake
Guide Dog Support Group President

“Having a support group is so important, and I am grateful to have one for handlers of guide dogs. It’s good to have a group of others who have guide dogs to talk with to learn how to properly care for your dog and share research available. Meeting with a group of others with guide dogs is a vital support system.”

Miracle Brown, Independent Living Skills Student

Miracle Brown
Independent Living Skills Student

“As a new mom, the independent living skills training helped me learn to cook and do laundry for myself and my daughter.”

Carmencita Melindez, Braille Student

Carmencita Melindez
Braille Student

“Braille classes have helped me with so many things, such as reading the room numbers in the hospital and on elevator buttons. Braille helps make my life better.”