Beyond the Mission Statement: Northeast Sight Services

Arline Phillips wouldn’t let anything stand in her way of helping others. In 1918—before women could vote—she founded the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind. Going door to door, Arline taught blind and visually impaired individuals essential skills like reading Braille and preparing for employment. Her determination was deeply personal; Arline was blind herself.

Over the next century, the organization grew alongside the community it served. In 2018, it became Northeast Sight Services, a name that better reflects its evolving mission and expanded reach across Luzerne, Wyoming, Wayne and Pike counties.

“We found a lot of misconceptions about the services that we provide,” said Sara Peperno, former President/CEO of Northeast Sight Services. “It’s actually a very small percentage of people who are completely blind. Usually someone has some type of visual impairment that makes them eligible for our services. They would hear the term ‘blind,’ and it wouldn’t really associate to what they were going through.”

Today, Northeast Sight Services continues Arline’s mission, providing resources, education and support that empower individuals with vision loss to live independently and confidently.

Providing Tools & Technology

Northeast Sight Services offers a hands-on way to explore life-changing adaptive tools

The Vision Resource Center, launched in 2018, is filled with adaptive tools designed to make everyday life easier for individuals with vision loss. During a demonstration, vision rehabilitation therapist Kristen Boyle introduced the Colorino—a handheld device that identifies colors with a simple touch.

Open to both clients and the public, the center allows visitors to explore and test assistive technologies such as talking clocks, large-print phones and adaptive kitchen tools. “Everybody’s vision is so different,” said Boyle. “People often see products online that don’t always work the way they’re advertised. We want to give them a space where they can try things out and see what works for them.”

The center also features a dedicated children’s area with tactile games, Braille books and large-print educational materials. Amy Marie Feldman, President/CEO of Northeast Sight Services, emphasized the organization’s empowering approach. “You can do almost everything you used to do, just in a new way,” she said. “We teach you how and provide the tools to succeed.”

Beyond the Vision Resource Center, Northeast Sight Services offers vision rehabilitation therapy, a low-vision clinic and the Gift of Sight Program, which helps make eye care services and prescription eyewear more accessible and affordable.

Supporting Children & Families

Year-round community for children and teens with vision loss

What began as a summer camp has grown into a comprehensive children’s and youth program at Northeast Sight Services. Camp Sight remains a cornerstone, giving visually impaired children the chance to enjoy classic camp experiences like kayaking and horseback riding while building confidence and lasting friendships.

Recognizing the power of those connections, Northeast Sight Services expanded its offerings to create the InSight Kids Club of NEPA. Partnering with local agencies, the organization welcomes children from across Northeastern Pennsylvania—not just within its primary service area. Monthly activities range from cooking and art classes to field trips, while family support groups provide guidance and connection for parents and caregivers.

Teens are supported through the Transitioning to Independence Program, designed for high school students preparing for life after graduation. Whether they plan to attend college or enter the workforce, participants gain practical skills and confidence to navigate the next stage of their lives.

Prevention & Education

By focusing on prevention, they help protect the vision of the entire community

While Northeast Sight Services is best known for supporting individuals who are blind or visually impaired, the organization also plays a critical role in preventing vision loss. Through vision screenings conducted across Northeastern Pennsylvania, potential issues are identified early—often before families realize there’s a problem.

Prevention is especially important for children. Each year, Northeast Sight Services screens approximately 5,000 children at kindergarten registrations, preschools and daycares. Behaviors like holding a tablet too close may seem typical, but screenings frequently reveal underlying vision issues that might otherwise be overlooked.

“Little kids don’t realize that that’s not how they’re supposed to be seeing. They just go about their day,” said Amy.

During one screening, volunteers discovered a child had no vision in one eye. Further evaluation by a specialist revealed a tumor on the child’s optic nerve—a condition that may not have been detected until far more serious symptoms appeared.

“They were able to do all the things they needed to do to correct that,” said Sara. “They really credited the organization with early identification, because it’s not usually found early.”

Get Involved with Northeast Sight Services

By getting involved with Northeast Sight Services, you can help continue a 100-year tradition of neighbors helping neighbors

Since its founding, Northeast Sight Services has remained deeply rooted in the NEPA community. Built on the belief that neighbors help neighbors, the organization works directly with individuals and families to ensure everyone has the resources they need to live their best life.

Community members can support this work by donating or volunteering their time. Opportunities range from assisting clients and helping with vision screenings to supporting fundraisers and special events—each one playing a role in sustaining a legacy more than a century in the making.