Today Vision To Learn celebrated the successful launch of a new project helping students in the Quad Cities. Supporters of that effort, including United Way Quad Cities, Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation, and Deltavision, helped over 30 students at Fillmore Elementary try on their new glasses for the first time.  

Vision To Learn has provided children in low-income communities in 17 states and the District of Columbia with vision screenings, eye exams and glasses – all at no cost to children or their families. To date the nonprofit charity has helped over 3 million children, including more than 460,000 provided with glasses.  

Since its 2016 launch in Dubuque, Iowa, Vision To Learn has helped more

than 80,000 Iowa children in 17 counties, bringing care to kids in Des Moines, Waterloo, Fort Dodge, and over two dozen communities across the state. 

“When a child comes to school we make sure they’re provided with food, along with the books and school supplies they need. Why not glasses?” said Austin Beutner, founder of Vision To Learn. “Every child in every school, everywhere in the country, should have the glasses they need to succeed in school and in life.” 

Vision To Learn has been recognized by Iowa leaders including Senator Joni Ernst, who co-authored a bi-partisan 2019 U.S. Senate Resolution recognizing Vision To Learn as “a national leader in improving access to eyeglasses for students in low-income communities and in helping students succeed in school.” 

“It’s our job to empower every kid to write their own destiny. And when you can’t see the whiteboard in school, how can you see your future?” said Rene Gellerman, President and CEO of United Way Quad Cities. “Through Vision To Learn and in partnership with our schools, businesses and caring individuals in our region, this program creates another early intervention for kids who need it most, so they can reach their potential. ” 

“One in four school-aged children has a vision problem that if not detected or treated early could impact not only a child’s learning, but their overall health and wellness,” said Suzanne Heckenlaible, executive director of Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. “As Delta Dental has expanded into vision benefits with DeltaVision, we have also expanded our Foundation’s mission to include vision education and access. We are proud to support Vision To Learn and their work to expand vision care services and glasses for children across Iowa.”  

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About Vision To Learn  

Vision To Learn, a non-profit charity, was founded in 2012 by Austin Beutner and the Beutner Family Foundation. Vision To Learn serves the needs of the hardest-to-reach children; about 90% of kids served by Vision To Learn live in poverty and about 85% are Black or Latino. Vision To Learn has provided about 3 million children with vision screenings and more than 460,000 with glasses, in 17 states and the District of Columbia, all at no cost to children or their families. For more information on Vision To Learn, please visit www.visiontolearn.org. 

About Delta Dental of Iowa 

Delta Dental of Iowa, a not-for-profit health and wellness company, provides dental vision, legal, life and caregiving benefits to more than 1.6 million Iowans. Locally focused and nationally networked, Delta Dental of Iowa and its Foundation invest in robust community systems and partnerships. These efforts empower and engage all Iowans to have optimal oral, vision, and overall health. Since 2002, Delta Dental has invested more than $62 million to improve the oral and overall health of Iowans. For more information, visit the website at www.deltadentalia.com. 

About United Way Quad Cities 

United Way Quad Cities is a community-based social change organization that provides every Quad Citizen with opportunities to live their best possible life. Working with our determined supporters and partners, we lead efforts to improve education, income and health – the building blocks of opportunity. We invite volunteers, donors and advocates to join us in achieving lasting results right here at home. Learn more at UnitedWayQC.org.