The Health Project recently received a $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Muskegon County Lions Club Endowment Fund. The Health Project provides the administrative services to manage the grant from the endowment, which is used to assist people with impaired hearing or vision.

Recently, the Health Project received a request for a vision screening from a client who was on the verge of losing her job if she could not qualify for the DMV vision test, which she could not pass without corrective lenses. Without a drivers’ license, her job would be in jeopardy. In similar small ways, the lack of glasses or other vision and hearing aids can limit an individual’s opportunities for schooling and employment. In the current economy, it is important for individuals to retain their employment and be viable candidates for new positions. Obtaining and retaining drivers’ licenses important both for such life circumstances, as well as the safety of the community.

Eligible individuals typically are referred to the Health Project by one of the eight local Lion's Clubs. The Health Project then screens the applicants for eligibility and refers those eligible to a local provider of vision or hearing services. Individuals may contact the Health Project directly for assistance by contacting Tressa Crosby at 231-672-3201. Staff has now begun to contact the back-log of 235 waiting applicants. People in need of assistance for eye care are being asked to fill out applications by June 30, though applications will be accepted on an on-going basis as funding permits. Over 150 applicants on the waiting list have already been contacted. Eligible applicants will be issued a voucher that is good for 60 days.

During 2009 and 2010, the program received an average of 25 calls per month for eye exams and glasses. Most of the requests are from Area 1 (Downtown Muskegon), Area 5 (Mona Shores and Muskegon Heights), and Area 7 (East Side). In the latter half of 2009 and during 2010, requests from these areas could not be filled for lack of funding, resulting in a backlog of about 230 requests from these three areas. The Northside Lions Club contracted with Fairway Optical to provide eye exams for $35.00 and $16.00 for single lenses, and $25.00 for bifocals. A large supply of frames has been donated by the International Lions Club.

Basic vision services are a form of health care and prevention, which is important to maintain. Without proper screening and provisions, such as reading glasses, children fail in school and adults cannot get drivers’ licenses or jobs. Headaches and other medical problems are exacerbated by poor vision. Diabetics require annual vision screenings for diabetic retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma. The grant will primarily focus on the unmet needs in the above-mentioned areas of Muskegon County, supplementing the existing Lions Clubs programs to bring these services to the underfunded Lions Club areas.