LANCASTER, February 24, 2009 – Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind announces that it has awarded scholarship funds to Rosa Mercado, a Millersville University student. Mercado graduated from J.P. McCaskey High School in 2004.

In 1990, little Rosa Mercado walked into Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired’s (SABVI) preschool as a shy 3 year-old. “I remember the old preschool, it had a blue floor, and there was an elephant slide on the playground,” she recalls.  Following her graduation from Abe’s, Rosa continued to receive services from SABVI throughout elementary, middle and high schools. It is with great excitement that, thanks to the creation of the Foundation, Rosa is able to continue to receive support, financially, in her college years.

A junior majoring in communications with a minor in sociology at Millersville University, Rosa was able to apply for and was awarded a scholarship to help pay for her classes at Millersville. While SABVI still provides rehabilitation support, financial support would not be available without the Foundation.

Mercado, diagnosed with ocular albinism, has been a client at SABVI since she was a child. “I love SABVI,” said Mercado. “They showed me how to be a stronger person and they work hard at what they do. It’s cool to go there and tell Kay [Macsi, VP of Rehabilitation] what I’m doing in college - she was my preschool teacher!”

For more information on scholarships and grants offered by the Foundation, or the Foundation, please visit www.sfblind.org  To schedule a tour of SABVI, please contact Megan Sofilka by calling 717.393.5894.

The Susquehanna Foundation for the Blind is the fundraising arm of SABVI (headquartered in Lancaster, Pa.) and its divisions: Alley Center for the Blind (Lebanon, Pa.), Somerset County Blind Center (Somerset, Pa.) and Independence Industries (Northeast Philadelphia, Pa.) SABVI provides quality assistance to community residents who are blind or vision impaired through early childhood intervention and education, rehabilitation services, prevention of blindness services, and employment training and opportunities. In addition to providing financial support to SABVI, the Foundation aims to create breakthrough opportunities in education and employment for the vision impaired by empowering them with full, fair and unimpeded access to education and employment opportunities at all levels.

Join Our Email List

First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Confirm Email: