Our History

Serving the Blind Since 1973

Valley Center for the Blind is a 501(c)(3) organization originally founded in 1973 by Dr. Andrea Schwartz as the “Friendship Center for the Blind,” a gathering place where seniors with vision loss could find support and community. Over the decades, the organization has grown to meet the expanding need for specialized blindness services and has evolved into what is now Valley Center for the Blind (VCB).

Today, VCB operates three facilities across the Central Valley—in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Visalia—allowing us to serve individuals throughout Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare, and Kern counties with the same high standard of care and expertise. We provide training that builds skills, confidence, and independence for people who are blind or have low vision, and we support individuals in reaching their goals for meaningful employment.

In 2020, VCB launched its Workforce Programs to help address the disproportionately high unemployment rate among people who are blind. These programs guide individuals through career exploration, job readiness, placement, and longterm employment success—opening doors to greater economic independence and opportunity.

Through our specialized training and personcentered approach, clients regain essential daily living skills, learn to navigate technology, and build the confidence needed to live independently, complete their education, and thrive in the workforce. Anyone experiencing vision loss is welcome to participate in VCB programs, regardless of ability to pay.

VCB believes that with customized service plans, collaborative goalsetting, and the right support, every individual can succeed. Together, we are helping more than 1,000 people each year build brighter, more independent futures.