The VCB Podcast

We are celebrating 4 years of The VCB Podcast by revisiting our first episode! Give it a listen and let us know what you think. After 4 years of hosting this podcast, we wanted to ask YOU where you think we should take this podcast. Starting with a new name. Find us on Facebook to vote on what you think the new podcast name should be. This is the link https://www.facebook.com/ValleyCenterfortheBlind/ If you have any questions about the podcast or VCB programs, email us at info@myvcb.org or give us a call at 5592224447. Thank you for continuing to listen to The VCB Podcast!

in this episode, Jason and Ray discuss technology. Jason also sit down with Andrea Dekloz and discuss technology with her experience at the ACB conference.

In this episode, we Interview Fresno Case Manager Gillian Conrad, as she takes us step by step through the process of finding your independence here at Valley Center for the Blind.

In this eposode Rey, and Jason talk with Sam from the Blind Life. They discuss Macular Degeneratrion Month, stargardts, and the tech that help people that have Low Vision. Sam also talks about the Stargardts Summith happening on February 29TH 2024.

In this episode, Jason and Ray talked to Veronica about braille literacy. What braille means to our community, as well as the power of advocating for braille literacy

Rey interviews Jason about his trip to Florida with the Project Athena organization. Project Athena is an organization, a nonprofit that helps people overcome, life-changing events in their life. Project Athena does this through adventure challenges. Jason talks about a recent adventure he went on last month.

in this episode, Jason, and Rey discussed the importance of the white cane. Also, they bring on Alex Villareal to give us the rundown on what's happening at white cane day 2023. All about the white cane, and our independence.

In this episode, Rey and I are joined by Alex Villareal as we talk about the 2023 experience at Central California Adaptive sports program. We discuss the amazing growth we saw in our clients, and how they persevered, and showed their courage, strength, and their independence.

In this episode, Rey and Jason speak with Gabby, an Outreach Specialist for RICV. They also go over the month of July and celebrating VCB's 50th anniversary. Email us at info@myvcb.org or call us at (559)222-4447 if you have questions or comments about today's episode. To learn more about RICV, visit ricv.org.

In this episode, Vanessa, our client-turned-employee, talks about her journey with vision loss and experience in Independent Living Skills training. To share your story or to tell us what you think, email info@myvcb.org.

VCB has been BUSY recently with fun events engaging with more members of our community. Listen to learn how our recent golf fundraiser and Beeper Egg Hunt went. In this episode, Alonzo Fernandez talks to us about his experience with Adaptive Sports. If you are blind or have low vision or know someone who qualifies for our services, call us at 5592224447 or visit myvcb.org to learn about what we offer. We are always in need of YOUR support. Please consider donating to VCB to support these types of outreach efforts and our services for clients. Visit myvcb.org to donate today!

We're back again this month! In this episode Jason is joined by Alex, VCB's Outreach Specialist. We talk about upcoming events, and Jason talks about his low vision evaluation experience. If you have a similar story to share or if you'd like to share your experience with VCB, send an email to info@myvcb.org or give us a call at 5592224447. To learn more about Valley Center for the Blind and how to support us, visit myvcb.org.

The VCB Podcast is back! We have exciting updates to share and more ways you can support our mission this year. We also want to thank our podcast listeners for your continued support of this podcast. Can't wait to share what we have in store for this year! If you have questions or thoughts about anything we talked about in this podcast, contact us at 559-222-4447 or email us at info@myvcb.org.

It's the holiday season! In this episode, we talk about what is going on for the holidays at VCB. Rey and Jason also share the top 5 holiday gifts for the blind and low vision community.

In this podcast Jason, and Rey go live at white cane day 2022. The guys have several guests including Joaquin Cornejo, Matt Slinger, Brandon Eslick, and Alvin Martin. They talk about the white cane, and their independence.

Join us for this year's White Cane Safety Day Walk on Saturday, October 15 at 10 A.M. at Inspiration Park in Fresno. Enjoy a walk with us, food, games, and more! Call (559)222-4447 for more information. If you have questions or comments, call us at (559)222-4447 or email info@myvcb.org.

In this episode, Jason and Rey talk about Central California Adaptive Sports Camp experiences with VCB Client, Anthony Ortega. This camp was inspirational and key to helping build confidence in independence. Make sure to listen to them sing those camp songs!

In this episode, we meet Dan Berlin, from Team See Possibilities. To learn more about Team See Possibilities, visit http://www.teamseepossibilities.com

Catch up on all things VCB! Also, we are talking to recent graduates, Kong and Debra. Listen along to learn how VCB helped them achieve their goals!

In this episode, Jason and Rey talk about our programs to help clients gain employment. Also, Jason and Rey are "techsighted" to talk to our special guest, Sam from "The Blind Life"! Sam is an assistive technology instructor and YouTuber. Give it a listen and let us know what you think. Don't forget to subscribe to The Blind Life on YouTube! To reach out to VCB, email info@myvcb.org or call (559)222-4447. To support VCB, you can donate at myvcb.org or choose VCB as your nonprofit on smile.amazon.com. If you order from Amazon Smile, a portion of your sale will be donated to VCB! Another way you can support VCB is by purchasing your next bath product at cleanlogic.com and entering the code VCB10. When you enter this code, not only will you receive a ten percent discount, but Cleanlogic will also donate another ten percent to VCB! We are grateful for our sponsor, Clean Logic for supporting VCB and many other organizations like ours.

In this episode, Jason talks about his experience with the GoPro camera. Rey and Jason talk about how you can use your voice to advocate for yourself and the community and how Valley Center for the Blind can help you do both. We also get to meet Isaac, co-founder of Cleanlogic. Listen to the story of how Cleanlogic got started, Isaac's motivation behind beginning "Brands with Braille," and supporting the blind and low vision community by providing employment opportunities, inclusivity, and supporting organizations like VCB. To reach out to VCB, email info@myvcb.org or call (559)222-4447. To support VCB, you can donate at myvcb.org or choose VCB as your nonprofit on smile.amazon.com. If you order from Amazon Smile, a portion of your sale will be donated to VCB! Another way you can support VCB is by purchasing your next bath product at cleanlogic.com and entering the code VCB10. When you enter this code, not only will you receive a ten percent discount, but Cleanlogic will also donate another ten percent to VCB! We are grateful for our sponsor, Clean Logic for supporting VCB and many other organizations like ours.

In this episode, we are talking about the our accessible tax prep services in partnership with United Way Fresno and Madera Counties, book club, and conference halls. Also, our Bakersfield office is fully wide open! In addition, our Disability Equity Provider line provides resources and information to people with disabilities. Call our DEP line at 1(888)468-9115. Lastly, we have a new VCB Story! Alex Villarreal joins us to talk about her position at VCB and how she first heard of VCB six years ago. If you have questions or comments, call us at (559)222-4447 or email info@myvcb.org.

In this month's episode, we talk to Aaron Opie, Director of Case Management for Valley center for the Blind. We discuss how he has designed the process for our clients to see them reach their highest potential.

Enjoy this update on our partnership with World Services for the Blind! In this episode we talk about our employment services and how we help our clients prepare to work in a field they want to work in. Jamie Gibson-Barrows, VCB Employment Services Coordinator, joins us to talk about her role and some success stories. Don't forget! If you are looking for a good bath product, shop on cleanlogic.com and enter the code, VCB10. Cleanlogic will donate 10% of your sale to Valley Center for the Blind AND you will also receive a 10% discount for your purchase! We thank Cleanlogic for supporting organizations like VCB and for supporting our podcast! If you have any questions or comments about today's episode, contact us at info@myvcb.org.

In this special edition of The VCB Podcast, Sharon Giovinazzo and Eric Yarberry from World Services for the Blind joins us to talk about our partnership with WSB. Listen for more information on this exciting announcement!

Happy New Year! The Season 2 Premiere of The VCB Podcast is here! Listen for more updates on how to get a gift card and a free ride to your vaccine appointment, VCB updates, and the 3D Mural at The Locale Restaurant in Bakersfield. Thank you Deidre Hathor and Heather Laganelli at the Locale for creating a mural with the blind and low vision community in mind. Also, tune in for a new VCB Story! Thanks for joining us today, Alex. You can check out Alex's digital art on her Instagram page at @alexneml. To contact our Bakersfield office for support services, call (661) 865-5115. We want to hear from you! If you have any questions or comments for us, email us at info@myvcb.org or call (559) 222-4447. Thank you, Clean Logic, for sponsoring this podcast!

Episode 12 of The VCB Podcast is here! Listen for more updates on how the Disability Equity Project can help you get vaccinated, how to get a ride to your vaccine appointment, job opportunities, and what's going on at VCB. Lastly, we've got a new VCB story for you! Tune in to listen to today's edition of VCB Stories. We want to hear from you! If you have any questions or comments for us, email us at info@myvcb.org or call (559) 222-4447.

Listen for upcoming events this week, ways to support the VCB, and news on opportunities to receive the COVID-19 vaccine! To attend our events, contact us at (559)222-4447. If you have any comments, questions, or ideas, contact us at info@myvcb.org or at (559)222-4447.

Episode 11 of The VCB Podcast is available now! In this episode, we talk about how our White Cane Day Walk event went this year and upcoming events on our calendar. Jason will also be talking about his experience at VCB. As always, if you have questions, ideas, or comments for us, email us at info@myvcb.org.

Every week, our VCB Quick Hits will remind you of upcoming events at VCB. Give it a listen and let us know which upcoming virtual or in-person events you plan on attending. If you plan on attending these events, let us know by emailing info@myvcb.org or by calling us at (559) 222-4447.

This is our tenth episode of The VCB Podcast! In this episode, we talk about how our Game Night went, and some more upcoming events. If you'd like to attend our virtual or in-person events, let us know at info@myvcb.org or call (559)222-4447. We also hope you can join us on October 15 for White Cane Safety Awareness Day! Listen to learn more about what we are working on for this year's event. Let us know how we are doing by emailing info@myvcb.org.

Episode 9 of The VCB Podcast is here! In this episode, we talk about upcoming social hours and game nights as well as employment positions available at VCB. We also discuss opportunities to donate to VCB through Amazon Smile and to receive your COVID-19 vaccine through our Disability Equity Project. Lastly, it's not a VCB Podcast episode without an inspiring VCB Story. Listen to the entire podcast to listen to a VCB Story we've been wanting to share for a year! If you have questions or comments, send us an email at info@myvcb.org or call (559) 222-4447.

In this episode, we talk about suggestions and ideas for podcasts at VCB and upcoming events. One of our upcoming events is a COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at the VCB office in Fresno. No registration is needed because walk-ins are accepted! If you have questions about vaccines and this event or others like it, call the Disability Equity Project at 8884689115. We also talk about our Coffee Hour, our Bakersfield VCB Social Hour, our VCB Fresno Social Hour, and our Trivia Nights. If you'd like to attend, call 5592224447 or email VCB. This month, Nancy Hill, Together Independent Manager and Instructor, joins us for this month's VCB Story! Give it a listen and let us know what you think! If you have any questions or comments for our podcast, email us at info@myvcb.org.

Our newest episode of The VCB Podcast is up and ready for you to give it a listen. Listen to Jason and Rey talk about how the game night went, upcoming events such as social hours and game nights, and opportunities to get vaccinated. Shellena Heber, Executive Director of VCB also joins us today to provide updates on VCB. Also, stick around to listen to our next VCB Story, Cristal Castillo! If you want to join a social hour or game night, or want to learn more about what we are up to at VCB, call (559) 222-4447 or email info@myvcb.org.

In this episode, we talk about the exciting Social Hours, Game Nights, and Book Club meetings planned at VCB! Make sure to email us or call us to let us know if you are interested in joining or just watching our fun Game Nights. We are also sharing information about the COVID-19 vaccine clinics available every Tuesday. Lastly, we are joined by VCB Assistive Technology Instructor, Joey Ruiz, for another installment of "The VCB Stories"! Give it a listen and let us know what you think! Email us at info@myvcb.org if you have questions about what we discussed.

May the Fourth be with you! Here is the Star Wars Edition of The VCB Podcast! Listen to Jason and Rey talk about Star Wars and the new VCB Star Wars Book Club in this special episode. Let us know if you are interested in joining the book club at info@myvcb.org.

Stay up-to-date with all that is happening at VCB! In this episode, we talk about all the growth and fun things happening at VCB as well as how you can schedule an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine if you have a disability. This is also a very inspiring episode because we are hosting a new segment called "The VCB Stories." Stick around to listen to Joaquin's inspiring story. Email us at info@myvcb.org if you have questions about what we discussed or to let us know how we're doing!

Episode 4 of The VCB Podcast is out now! In this episode, we talk about what we're up to this month, Rey will talk about his experience at guide dog school, and we'll be asking Alexa if she can repeat some Easter egg quotes. Email us at info@myvcb.org if you have questions about what we discussed or let us know how we're doing!

Welcome to Episode 3 of The VCB Podcast! In this episode, Jason is joined by Jamie, an Independent Living Skills instructor and Employment Specialist, and Matt, our Support Services Assistant. Also, we discuss how our COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic went, upcoming conferences, Jamie's work at VCB, and audio description. Email us at info@myvcb.org if you have questions about what we discussed or let us know how we're doing!

Welcome to Episode 2 of The VCB Podcast! In this episode, we discuss upcoming events at VCB, the Amazon Echo, and we have our first podcast guest, our Executive Director, Shellena Heber. If you'd like to be included in our upcoming conference calls or want to send us your resumé to be considered for a position at VCB, send an email to info@myvcb.org. To learn more about the Disability Equity Project, visit depfresno.com or call (888)468-9115. For comments and questions for our podcast hosts, Jason and Rey, email us at info@myvcb.org. Enjoy listening to our second episode!

Hello supporters of Valley Center for the Blind! We are excited to release our first episode of the VCB Podcast hosted by our very own Jason Smith and Reynaldo Villarreal. Jason is a client and works in one of our call centers, and Rey is an assistive technology instructor and former client at VCB. In this episode, we discuss what we have been up to during 2020 and how we adapted, the career opportunities we provide, the skills we teach, and what we want this podcast to be. If you want us to discuss certain topics, if you want to create a social group and have virtual group meetings, or have questions or comments, email us at info@valleycenterfortheblind.org To learn more about the Valley Center for the Blind, visit: valleycenterfortheblind.org