In 2003, California's Vision Quest is undertaking perhaps the most exciting expansion in its history. VQ has always been interested in making its critical vision services available to as many children as possible. Today, that vision is becoming reality for the children of California.

In the Fall of 2003, California's Vision Quest was born. Beginning in the San Francisco area, California's Vision Quest will provide free comprehensive eye exams and state-of-the-art eye glasses to economically disadvantaged San Francisco area school children. California's Vision Quest represents the first national replication of the powerful Florida's Vision Quest model.

Why San Francisco? Because San Francisco Unified School District data are emphatic: Over one third of San Francisco public school children are low-income and over two thirds of the children are ethnic minorities. These children are at high risk of failure because they simply cannot see well.

VQ/California will initiate efforts in the Fall of 2003 to grant San Francisco area low income and ethnic minority children what most American children take for granted: the opportunity to see their world clearly.

As a new program, VQ/California will need lots of help in its first year. If you can help, i.e., advice, connections, manpower, office space, a donated van, donated public relations services, or a financial contribution, please email us.

Please keep in touch with the VQ website regularly for an update on the progress of VQ/California.