New Eyes Helps My Community

Paterson residents received eye care at a New Eyes clinic in October 2019.

Hear from a New Eyes social service partner

My name is Gilman Choudhury, and I live in Paterson, New Jersey, a city that faces many challenges. Crime, urban decay, and lack of employment have created significant barriers which deny individuals basic necessities, not to mention a quality of life.  

As a staff member in the third largest school district in the state - and a lifelong resident of Paterson -  I see the burdens our kids face every day. Access to healthcare is probably one of the greatest obstacles. With the median household income a little above $33,000, very few expendable funds can be used to address health problems, such as lack of clear vision.   

I’ve seen firsthand the negative impact of poor vision in the classroom.  Kids who cannot see properly, struggling to learn; to even see what’s written on a SMART Board, not to  mention the emotional toll on a student’s self-esteem. 

The ability to see clearly - while taken for granted by many of us - is not a reality for many people.  More than 14 million Americans cannot afford a pair of eyeglasses, including kids and adults in Paterson.  

Often lack of  transportation and work schedules are the biggest barriers when it comes to visiting a doctor’s office for a vision screening.  

Through a partnership with the Paterson Public Schools, New Eyes holds vision clinics at their office, where children and adults undergo vision screenings and are fitted for eyeglasses.  We offer group transportation from Paterson to New Eyes’ office in Short Hills, with half-day clinics taking place on Saturdays, rather than a working week day. 

If you or someone you know is interested in attending an upcoming vision clinic in 2020, call New Eyes at (973) 376-4903 for details.  

-Gilman Choudhury, Supervisor of Full Service Outreach & Special Projects, Paterson Schools