Independence with Dignity for Over 70 Years

1938 Erie Center for the Blind opened its doors.
1940s Primary services include eye exams and free eye glasses for low income residents. Richard Wright, Clarence Mack, Walter Yahn, Gus Pulakos, Judge James Dwyer, James McBrier, Mrs. Harry Schaal, Donald Leslie, Fred McBride,I.D. McQuiston and Martin Mageneau were early board members.
1952 Sheltered workshop opens at East 21st & Holland Streets, where blind people were employed to do piece work for Inland Container Corporation, Erie Brewing Company, Surre and other vendors.
1955-
1985		 Added “Reading Radio,” cooking classes, chair caning, Friday night dances, and the Golden Age Club to its programs for blind people.
1961 $100,000 capital campaign, chaired by Guy B. Wilson and Arthur F. Schultz, funded a new facility at 24th and Cherry Streets.
1963 Tyco Swick hired as Executive Director
1967 Began to administer the Lions Club eye care program for children.
1970s Added transportation and other support services for blind people.
1980s Focus shifted from blind employment to vision rehabilitation due to the increase of age-and disease-related vision loss.
2001 The name of the agency was changed to Vision and Blindness Resources.
2007 Received $2 million bequest from The Anonymous Friend.
2009 Tyco Swick retired and the board appointed Linda Hackshaw as CEO.

Changed its name to The Sight Center.
2010 Conducted a successful $1.35 million Capital Campaign to purchase and renovate its new facility. The NEW Sight Center opened its doors in October.
2011 Received national accreditation from the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Visually Impaired (NAC).

Eyeglass lab opens, enabling us to produce eyewear on-site thanks to Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield.