About VIPS Louisville
Before 1985, children who were blind/visually impaired in Kentucky & Southern Indiana had no access to early intervention services for their vision-specific needs. That all changed when a group of concerned citizens, lead by Sharon Bensinger, formed the idea to start VIPS. Mrs. Bensinger had no personal connection to anyone who was blind, other than being employed by American Printing House for the Blind Research Department. However, it was in that job that she took countless numbers of phone calls from desperate parents looking for services for their blind child.
With $20,000 in startup grants from WHAS Crusade for Children and Metro United Way, VIPS was born! Mrs. Bensinger was the first employee and began with a caseload of 14 families. Since that time, VIPS has grown into an impactful agency, serving approximately 500 families a year across two states, with office locations in Louisville, Lexington, and Indianapolis. VIPS Louisville operates Kentucky’s only full-time preschool for children with visual impairments, a nationally accredited program and Jefferson County, KY’s first five-star rated child care facility.
Have a Question?
Contact the VIPS Louisville office for more information!
Featured Grantor for VIPS Louisville
Etscorn Foundation
It takes a great deal of effort to maintain a year-round school, housed within a 14,000+ square foot facility. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like the Etscorn Foundation, VIPS has been able to make needed building repairs, purchase technology and fill classrooms with necessary furniture. Since 2007, the Etscorn Foundation has granted VIPS with nearly $75,000! These funds have been used to purchase computers, software, carpeting, paint & classroom fixtures. Thank you to the Etscorn Foundation for being such a generous champion of VIPS.
Wish List
- Paper towels
- Card stock in all colors
- Vinyl or Non-Latex disposable gloves
- Baby wipes
- Batteries (all sizes)
- Velcro
- Dixie cups
- Washable finger paint (especially white)
- Easel paper (12x18)
Why is early intervention so critically important?
DID YOU KNOW?
90% of what a child learns
is through their vision.
85% of the foundation of learning happens the first 5 years of their life.
Your donation directly impacts the life of children who are blind or visually impaired in Kentucky and Indiana.
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