Nonprofit serving visually impaired joins rehab hospital

Nonprofit serving visually impaired joins rehab hospital

Courtesy Mary Free Bed

A rehabilitation hospital system is taking ownership of a nonprofit that serves the visually impaired.

The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Jan. 1 became an independent subsidiary of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.

ABVI was looking to affiliate with an organization that would allow growth of its programs and services. Joining forces means offerings at both organizations will be enhanced, Mary Free Bed said.

ABVI Executive Director Richard Stevens is retiring after more than 17 years of leading the organization. Marcus Manders of Mary Free Bed Hospital will assume operational leadership of ABVI.

Plans for ABVI include: expanding the scope of services offered; enhancing coordination of services for ABVI clients and Mary Free Bed patients; increasing the geographic footprint to serve more people; educating health care providers about programs and services available; and enriching collaboration with referring clinicians and organizations.

ABVI served 937 clients in 13 West Michigan counties between October 2018 and September 2019.