Sierra Services for the Blind, Purpose

Sierra Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
offers full services, at no charge, to clients in the foothill communities of Nevada and Placer Counties and beyond.

We help blind and visually impaired individuals stay in their homes and out of institutions.

Purpose and Mission of Sierra Services
It is the purpose and mission of Sierra Services for the Blind to provide a comprehensive health program of peer and other counseling support services, educational support, social development and other community based programs to foster physical and mental health, and to develop a personalized program designed to develop independence and forestall institutionalization for the blind and visually impaired of all ages. To this end we shall also provide transportation services, promote independence through Orientation and Mobility and Independent Living instruction, provide a library of visual aids, and serve as the advocate for the blind and visually impaired in isolated and rural communities of Nevada and Placer County, and their geographically contiguous communities.

Sierra Services will also be directly involved with the health care and educational institutions, and issues relating to blind access within the community, and for the health, safety and welfare of blind and visually impaired. To this end we will work directly with the health care professionals, institutions and programs throughout the community, and collaborate with other agencies and professionals wherever possible.

All services will be provided without charge to the client. Sierra Services has served the blind and visually impaired the mountain region of Nevada and Placer County for over 23 years. Nevada County has the States largest senior population at over 30%, and the fastest growing population over age 85 in California. Placer County has over a 19% senior population. Thus, the client base for Sierra Services is predominantly elderly. Nationally, at age 80 one in four is legally blind. Presently over 90% of our 400 clients are over age 60, and 83% of those are over are 75, 44% over 85, and 7% over 95. We are 94% self funded, with a Golf Tournament, Abalone Banquet, Swing Dance events providing a significant block of the funding. Donations from businesses, clients, and the general public make up the rest of the $110,900 budget.

With a core of volunteers, it cost Sierra Services less than $300 per year to keep our clients independent, matched against over $21,000 should they have to go to "the home". Our base program is counseling, independent living skills instruction, and transportation to all medical appointments, as well as community access and vision related assistive devices which we either provide at cost or free to the client. Fixed administrative costs are held at less than 12%, and are comprised mostly of insurance, the facility which is part of the program, tax liability and a small portion of staff salaries. Corporate responsibility lies with a Board of Directors, who are responsible to a voting membership composed primarily of clients.