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In 1929, a group of York citizens became concerned about friends, neighbors and
relatives who were blind and living in and around the York area. The York Lions
Club financed the training of one of these persons, Mr. Fred O. Boyer and employed
him as a home teacher. This program proved to be successful and much needed.
On January 1, 1932, the organization filed for incorporation. On June 14, 1932,
the agency received notice of incorporation as "York's Blind Centre". The purpose
of the agency was for "the education and care of blind persons". Interestingly,
in the original articles of incorporation, it was stated the "the yearly income
of said incorporation, other than derived from real estate, shall not exceed the
sum of twenty thousand ($20,000) dollars".
In 1948, York's Blind Centre was renamed the York County Blind Center. In 1956,
Fred Boyer retired and was replaced by William H. Murray as the first Executive
Director. Executives since then have been George Harris, Charles Beaverson and
William Rhinesmith. In 1970 the agency was moved from its Philadelphia Street
location to the United Way Building on King Street. In 1982 the industrial employment
program outgrew the United Way space and this operation was moved to another location
on King Street. As the manufacturing operation grew in size and scope and other
programs and services were added, the agency realized that even more space was
needed. In 1991 the Blind Center purchased and renovated a 25,000 square foot
building on Spahn Avenue. In 1996, the York County Blind Center expanded operations in Hanover by establishing
Hanover Industries for the Blind. This satellite operation provided employment
for persons who are blind in the Hanover area until 2004. In addition, social
service staff from the agency are in Hanover once a month and the Blind Center
continues to provide preschool vision screenings in the area. In 1998, the agency
responded to a request from the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind and assumed
operations in Adams County. This division was named the Adams County Association
for the Blind. Currently we provide services in Adams Count and Franklin County
in addition to the York County area. The Name of the agency was changed from the York County Blind Center to ForSight
Vision in 2006 due to the recognition that an increasing number of visually impaired
persons were being served as opposed to totally blind persons. The agency celebrated its 75 anniversary in 2007. In preparation, we have compiled
a more complete history of the agency which will be added to the web site. Please
stay tuned! ForSight Vision is a 501 (c) 3 charitable organization and a member of the United
Way of York County. |
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