Community matters—at every age, in every season of life, and especially during times of change. For older adults experiencing vision loss, or for those taking proactive steps to protect their sight through programs like the Sight Center’s National Diabetes Prevention Program, community is often what makes the journey feel possible.

Vision loss can be isolating.
Chronic conditions like diabetes can feel overwhelming.
But connection—real, meaningful connection—creates strength.

And that connection is exactly what the Sight Center works to build every single day.

Why Community Matters

As individuals age and vision changes, daily tasks can become more challenging. What once felt simple—reading the mail, navigating familiar spaces, preparing food—may start to require new approaches. This shift often comes with emotional weight: frustration, uncertainty, or even grief.

A supportive community can make all the difference.

Community offers:

• Belonging — knowing you’re not facing changes alone
• Shared learning — discovering adaptive strategies from peers
• Encouragement — hearing “you can do this” from someone who truly understands
• Confidence — rebuilding independence with the help of collective wisdom

When people feel connected, they feel capable. When they feel capable, they thrive.

The Power of Community in Health: Preventing Vision Loss Together

Vision loss is often tied to chronic health conditions, especially diabetes. That’s why the Sight Center offers the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP)—a yearlong, evidencebased lifestyle program that helps individuals reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes and preserve their longterm vision.

But the National DPP is more than an education program.
It is, at its core, a community.

Participants come together to:

• Build healthier habits
• Support one another
• Celebrate progress
• Share struggles openly
• Learn tools that protect both overall health and future vision

People stay committed to change when they feel supported. Community makes that possible.

Connection Through the Wednesday Club & the National DPP

The Sight Center fosters community in two powerful ways:

🌟 Wednesday Club

A long-standing, beloved program where older adults who are blind or visually impaired gather bi-monthly to learn, socialize, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships. It’s a space of laughter, discovery, and mutual support—where differences are respected and strengths are celebrated.

🌟 National Diabetes Prevention Program

Launched in 2017, but already transforming lives, the National DPP brings individuals together who want to improve their health and protect their vision. Participants form bonds rooted in shared goals and the understanding that positive change is easier—and far more sustainable—when you don’t have to do it alone.

Both programs strengthen individuals, families, and the wider community by promoting connection, knowledge, and mutual support.

Gratitude for Community Partners Who Believe in This Work

This kind of change doesn’t happen in isolation.
It grows through collaboration, partnership, and shared vision.

Organizations like Diverse Erie and The Erie Community Foundation have stepped forward to partner with the Sight Center because they, too, understand the deep value of community connection. Their support helps us expand programs, reach more individuals, and build a foundation for long-term, community-wide impact.

Together, we’re creating a network —one that honors diversity, strengthens resilience, and empowers adults to live fuller, healthier, more connected lives.

Together, We Build Strength

Whether someone is navigating vision loss or striving to prevent diabetes this community gives them a place to feel seen, supported, and encouraged.

At the Sight Center, community isn’t just a program feature—it’s our philosophy.
It’s the foundation for positive change.
And it’s what helps people move forward with confidence.

Because when people come together, they grow stronger—individually and collectively.

Call us today, 814-455-0995, to learn more about our Wednesday Club and our National Diabetes Prevention Program. We can’t wait to get to know you better!

Life can be hard.
Even on our best days, most of us are juggling responsibilities—family, work, health, appointments, goals, and the unexpected challenges that always seem to show up at the worst times. When you’re striving for better health and trying to take better care of yourself, the effort alone can feel like a fulltime job.

Now add to that the reality of a visual impairment.

Suddenly, everyday tasks require new approaches. Routines need adjusting. The world feels different, and the learning curve can be steep. Whether you’re figuring out how to organize your home so it’s easier to navigate, learning to use magnification tools, or adapting to new ways of reading, cooking, or traveling, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed.

Vision loss—no matter when it enters your life—is a major transition.
And transitions take time, patience, and support.

You’re Not Alone

Maybe you’ve been recently diagnosed and are trying to make sense of what this means for your future.
Maybe you’ve lived with a visual impairment for years, but the changes you’re experiencing now feel different or harder to manage.
Or maybe you’re working proactively to preserve the vision you have, building healthy habits and preparing for what might come next.

Wherever you are on that journey, one truth remains:

You deserve support, tools, and people who understand what you’re going through.

The Sight Center Is Here for You

At the Sight Center, we know how heavy life can feel when vision loss enters the picture. We also know that with the right resources—and a team that genuinely cares—your world can become more manageable, more accessible, and more empowering.

We provide practical skills, emotional support, and hands-on training to help you adapt and regain confidence, whether you are:

• Learning new ways to complete daily tasks
• Exploring assistive technology
• Developing strategies to stay active and healthy
• Navigating changes in your vision
• Working to maintain independence in your home and community

Our goal is simple: to meet you where you are and help you keep moving forward.

You don’t have to navigate vision loss alone.
You can count on the Sight Center to stand beside you—encouraging you, equipping you, and helping you discover new ways to thrive.

At The Sight Center of NWPA, our mission is simple yet powerful: to prevent blindness and promote independence for those living with vision loss or blindness. As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to focus on habits that protect your eyes and preserve your vision for years to come.

Eye health is closely connected to overall health. Chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can significantly impact your eyesight, but the good news is that small, consistent habits can make a big difference.

5 Easy Habits for Healthy Vision in the New Year

1. Schedule Regular Eye Exams
   • Early detection is key. Comprehensive eye exams can catch issues before they become serious. If you have diabetes or other chronic conditions, annual exams are essential.
2. Manage Chronic Conditions
   • Diabetes and hypertension are leading causes of vision loss. Work with your healthcare team to keep blood sugar and blood pressure in check. Our National Diabetes Prevention Program can help you take proactive steps.
3. Eat for Your Eyes
   • A balanced diet rich in leafy greens, colorful fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids supports eye health. Think spinach, carrots, berries, and fish.
4. Protect Your Eyes Daily
   • Wear sunglasses with UV protection outdoors and use safety glasses when working with tools or chemicals. Simple precautions prevent injuries that can lead to vision loss.
5. Take Screen Breaks
   • Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps reduce eye strain from prolonged screen time.

How The Sight Center Can Help

We’re here to support you every step of the way:

• Prevention Services: Preschool vision screenings and diabetes prevention programs.
• Vision Rehabilitation: Low vision clinic, device assistance, and personalized strategies for independence.
• Specialized Support: Escorted door-through-door transportation, mail reading, bill paying, and our Wednesday Club—a bimonthly support group for connection, skill-building, and community.

Healthy habits today mean brighter tomorrows. Let’s make 2026 the year of better vision and stronger independence—together.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a blog on our agency’s website! This blog will be your go-to source for education, information, and inspiration about all things related to eye health and vision care.

Our goal is to empower you with knowledge and resources to help prevent eye disease through chronic disease management—such as diabetes—and to share insights on living well with a visual impairment or blindness.

But that’s not all! We’ll be featuring:

• Agency Updates – Stay informed about what’s happening within our organization.
• Program Spotlights – Learn more about the services and initiatives making a difference in our community.
• Success Stories – Celebrate the achievements of our clients, volunteers, staff, and board members.

We believe this blog will be a valuable tool for anyone interested in protecting their vision, supporting loved ones with vision loss, or learning more about the work we do every day to preserve our community’s future vision.

First post coming soon—stay tuned and be sure to bookmark our site and check back regularly for fresh content that educates, inspires, and connects us all!