|
|
|
 The Hatlen Center Merges With Junior Blind
|
|
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
We are pleased to announce the merger between The Hatlen Center for the Blind and Junior Blind! Established in 1953 in Southern California, Junior Blind has always been a highly regarded colleague in the blindness community and is an ideal partner for The Hatlen Center, as we strive to further our mission-teaching more students independence through independent living.
Junior Blind expanded its services to Central and Northern California in 2011 with transition and recreation services for youth who are blind or visually impaired. As they entered this new geographic area, their leadership met with us for our feedback and support. This great communication quickly revealed the obvious-our synergy was undeniable and a merger combining our strengths and expertise would have major benefits for all of our students.
Additionally, streamlining many of our operations with Junior Blind would open up our resources, enabling us to better focus on programming and students. In these tumultuous economic times, achieving more efficient operations has become critical.
This merger builds on each organization's high-quality programs and mutual commitment to help individuals who are blind or visually impaired achieve independence-representing the hope that we will be able to serve more students...and serve them better.
__________________________________________________________________________________
We invite you to visit Junior Blind's website (www.juniorblind.org) to learn more about their wonderful work with babies, children, youth and adults who are blind or visually impaired.
together we can do so much."
|
|
40th Anniversary
|
|
Forty years ago, Dr. Phil Hatlen's idea to create a program where young people who are blind or visually impaired could learn the skills of independence by actually renting and living in apartments in a real community was considered to be a very radical concept. People asked, "What? Expect young people who have never lived alone to shop for and cook their own food on gas stoves? Expect them to travel around the community to take care of their own needs? Expect them to pay their own, very real bills?" The skepticism in the blindness community was palpable, but that first staff of dedicated young teachers, chosen by Dr. Hatlen, forged ahead with hard work and idealistic enthusiasm.
Forty years later, Dr. Hatlen's philosophy of creating a program where students learn to solve their own problems, choose their own lifestyles, and experience the consequences of their choices has empowered thousands of young people to take charge of their own lives with confidence. The Hatlen Center continues to attract top-notch staff members who believe their students can succeed in becoming fully independent.
The Hatlen Center's reputation for success has grown, and our model has become famous across the country as the gold standard for transition programs for young people who are blind or visually impaired. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we are so very proud of our heritage and so very proud that our new partner, Junior Blind, sees The Hatlen Center model as one they want to enthusiastically embrace.
|
|
To Our Donors
|
Thank you for your loyalty to our students during these difficult economic times. As you can imagine, the recent recession has had a dramatic impact on charitable giving. Individual donors and foundations, alike, have had to take a step back and reassess how to allocate their now reduced philanthropic resources. Many capital campaigns have been adversely affected, as donors have been forced to focus on more urgent demands for program funding to support the basic, yet critical direct services of many agencies. Amidst this philanthropic landscape, The Hatlen Center's Capital Campaign struggled as well, leading us to re-evaluate the feasibility of moving the program to a new building. Ultimately, we decided on a change of course. We are so grateful to the dedicated donors who offered early support for the Campaign and allowed us to redirect their generous capital gifts to other pressing needs.
Looking to the future, The Hatlen Center and our students still need your support. The merger with Junior Blind will make us a program of theirs, but any gift you make today or in the future can and will be restricted for use by The Hatlen Center.
As you plan your year-end giving, please consider making a difference in the lives of our students. Your gifts are greatly needed for student scholarships, technology lab hardware and software, our recreation program, apartment equipment needs, transportation needs and much more.
Thank you for your generous donations and your ongoing friendship with The Hatlen Center. May your holidays be filled with health and happiness.
|
|
The Hall Of Fame
|
DR. PHIL HATLEN HONORED
The Hall of Fame for the Blindness Field is housed at the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) in Louisville, Kentucky. The Hall, which belongs to the entire field of blindness, is dedicated to preserving the tradition of excellence manifested by specific individuals through the history of outstanding services provided to people who are blind or visually impaired in North America. To date, forty-eight outstanding professionals have been inducted into the Hall.
At an induction ceremony on October 12, 2012, our founder, Dr. Philip Hatlen, joined those legends. Not only that, the other icon inducted into the Hall of Fame in the class of 2012, Pete Wurzburger, was one of the very first members of our Board of Directors, trained our first orientation and mobility instructors, and helped to shape our philosophy and mission. We are so grateful to both of them for their many contributions to The Hatlen Center and to the blindness field.
From the Press Release: Induction into the Hall of Fame is intended for individuals who have made "significant contributions to improve the lives of those who are blind or visually impaired in such areas as professional practice, research, writing, leadership, direct service, and/or in their professional organizations." Phil Hatlen has contributed in all of these areas, sometimes simultaneously, but always with passion, conviction, innovation, and sagacity.--Dr. Kay Ferrell Click here to view Dr. Phil Hatlen's bio on the American Printing House (APH) for the Blind's Hall of Fame website. Click here to view Pete Wurzburger's bio on the APH Hall of Fame website.
|
|
Meet Chris Jones
|
The first thing you might notice about 2004 Hatlen Center graduate Chris Jones is his rippling muscles. It is true that he can bench press 520 lbs, is ranked #1 nationally as a brown belt in Judo for regular Judo, and #2 nationally as a black belt at the Paralympics level. Anyone would agree that these accomplishments are very impressive! Yet, Chris' physical strength and skill are only a part of what makes up this warm and friendly man.
This tenacity and sense of self are Chris' real strengths. While at student at The Hatlen Center, Chris made good friends, participated with gusto and picked up skills very quickly. After leaving The Hatlen Center program, Chris wanted to find a job. Through networking with friends, Chris met Reuben Burleson, an O&M instructor who had a Special Day class at Montclair Elementary school in Oakland. At the time, Reuben had a student who needed one-on-one assistance, but no one was able to work with him. Chris volunteered to be this student's aid (without pay). Later Chris moved with this student to a middle school, where he was eventually hired by the district. The school district was initially concerned about Chris's visual impairment, but were glad to hear that he was the "one" person that this student would listen to and work with. Chris also proved to be a very valuable asset to the classroom as a whole, helping the teacher with all of her students.
We were so proud of Chris. But, the story continues...
Chris loved his position as an aide, but he wanted a college education. So, with the help of the Department of Rehabilitation, while working his full-time aide position and pursuing his love of Judo, Chris went to college. In 2012 he obtained his credential through Oakland Teaching Fellows. Like many of our graduates, Chris periodically checks in with us, and he showed up a few weeks ago to tell us the good news...
Chris now has his own Special Day class at Oakland Tech high school teaching thirteen lucky students from 14-21 years of age, including the student that he started with so many years ago! Chris is still pursuing Judo with gusto and we fully expect to see him in the next Paralympics. Chris, you are one of our Hatlen Center heroes!
|
|
|
|
|
To learn more, apply, or donate,
please visit us online at www.hcblind.org
or call us at (510) 234-4984
|
|
|
|
