Vision Clinic Supports Students’ Access to the Glasses they Need to Succeed in the Classroom
To help students with undiagnosed vision issues, LensCrafters optometrists and team members recently came together to provide eye exams and glasses to children in Maskwacîs. The clinic was organized by LensCrafters, and the North America affiliate of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, the leading global vision care foundation, with support from Operation Eyesight Universal, a Calgary-based international development organization.
The vision clinic was held April 28 – May 2 at the Nipisihkopahk Elementary School in partnership with the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission. The clinic helped address unresolved vision problems for 500–600 students who may otherwise lack access to eye exams and glasses. Leveraging the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation’s proven clinic model and manufacturing capabilities, most participants in need of glasses received their newly prescribed, quality eyewear on-site.
“This initiative supports student learning by connecting vision care with overall health and education,” said Heather Littlechild, Coordinator of Inclusive Education. “After identifying many students needing glasses, we developed a program rooted in Cree values to promote student well-being and confidence in the classroom. Our partnership with Operation Eyesight, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and LensCrafters provided the care students needed, bringing eye exams and glasses directly to students.”
LensCrafters is deeply committed to giving back to the communities it serves and has a long history of enabling its optometrists and team members to be part of this life-changing work. Over the last decade, LensCrafters has proudly helped raise over $25 million for the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation through customer donations.
“At LensCrafters, we see it as a privilege and a responsibility to engage our doctors and team members in elevating the cause of vision and the impactful work of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation,” said Alfonso Cerullo, President of LensCrafters and For Eyes. “Through the Foundation, we’re able to extend vision care to those who need it most in the communities we serve and better ensure everyone can see more and be more.”
“LensCrafters continues to be a deeply dedicated partner that truly champions the work we do at the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation,” said Becky Palm, Executive Director, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation North America. “LensCrafters employees have been tremendous, hands-on supporters of the Foundation for more than 30 years. Thanks to the continued passion of LensCrafters’ leadership, doctors and team members, we’re able to fund and staff critical programs that empower the patients we serve through vision care access.”
To learn more about the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and how to get involved, please visit www.onesight.essilorluxottica.com
About the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation
The North America affiliate of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, registered in the United States. This regional affiliate supports the goals of the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, a French registered charitable organization (endowment fund) reflecting the commitment and values of EssilorLuxottica to contribute to eliminating uncorrected poor vision in a generation. It is headquartered at 147 rue de Paris, 94220 Charenton-Le-Pont, France. For more information, visit www.onesight.essilorluxottica.com.
About LensCrafters
LensCrafters, the leading optical retailer in North America, was founded in 1983 and currently operates over 1,000 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. With a mission of helping people look and see their best, LensCrafters has a passion for vision care and offers the best selection of the latest trends in eyewear from leading designer brands as well as incomparable personalized service from Doctors of Optometry located at or next to its stores. LensCrafters opened its first Macy’s location in April 2016 and currently has five flagship stores in New York City, San Francisco, Palo Alto and Toronto, the first flagship in Canada that opened in July 2023. The brand’s trusted doctors and associates continue to make an impact by giving the gift of vision through the company’s partner efforts with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, providing access to quality vision care and glasses in underserved communities worldwide. LensCrafters is currently the No. 1 contributor to OneSight in North America. For more information, visit www.lenscrafters.com.
About Operation Eyesight Universal
Operation Eyesight Universal is an international development organization working to prevent blindness and restore sight. Founded in 1963 in Calgary (Mohkínstsis), AB, Operation Eyesight has been working alongside international communities to eliminate avoidable vision loss for over 60 years, with support from generous donors and in collaboration with local hospitals, governments, community-based organizations and strategic partners. Whether it is an eye exam and a pair of eyeglasses or a more complex eye surgery, Operation Eyesight believes that everyone, everywhere should have access to affordable, quality eye health care services – For All The World To See. To learn more or make a donation, visit operationeyesight.com.
About Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission
In 2017, the Maskwacîs Chiefs and Councils unified 11 schools from four separate authorities to establish a single, Treaty-based education authority focused on the needs of Maskwacîs Cree students. Rooted in Cree values and developed through extensive community consultation, the Maskwacîs Education Schools Commission (MESC) is jointly owned and operated by Neyaskweyahk (Ermineskin Cree Nation), Kisipatinahk (Louis Bull Tribe), Akamihk (Montana First Nation), and Nipisihkopahk (Samson Cree Nation).
MESC schools offer an Indigenized curriculum that embeds Maskwacîs Cree culture, language, and traditions into every educational experience. Guided by the foundational principles of Wâhkôhtowin, Nehiyawewin, Nehiyaw Pimâtisôwin, and Îyinîw Mâmitonehicikan, MESC is dedicated to providing respectful, inspiring educational environments that deliver meaningful outcomes, empower students, and support families.
