SEE International Expands Free Eye Care to Carpinteria Families
Patricia Martellotti
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – Lady Rodriguez receives her eye exams for free at SEE International’s Santa Barbara clinic.
“If it weren’t for See, I probably would not have glasses I wouldn’t be able to afford my glasses,” said Rodriguez.
Now, SEE International is expanding its Free Vision Care Program to help families in Carpinteria access essential eye treatment.
“It’s a big agricultural community. And so we saw a meet there and we’re really focusing there right now,” said director of local and domestic programs Anisha Verdialez of SEE International.
Nearly half of the patients are children.
So the team is enhancing its Mobile clinics to help residents get care in a safe, welcoming setting.
“To be able to provide the commune with our service, free of cost to be able to access it in a timely manner would be so beneficial for the community,” said Verdialez.
The SEE Vision Care team hopes anyone in need of their services will reach out anytime.
“If they have questions … primarily Spanish-speaking … affluent staff here … and so we’re here to truly just provide the care necessary and educate the community on the importance of eye care,” said vice president of programs Arianna Castellanos of SEE International.
The expansion will allow more Carpinteria residents to get eye exams and treatment when they need it most.
For Lopez, that means she can continue getting the care she depends on — and finally see a brighter future.
The program is supported by a $110,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, which will help meet high demand and expand access to care for low-income households across the south county.
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