In many ways, 2017 was, to reference Charles Dickens classic “A Tale of Two Cities.” At the beginning of the year, we had sixty associates, a significant loss of Government revenue and sky rocketing health insurance costs. At the end of 2017, we had forty-nine associates, a fixed cost health insurance plan and significant cost savings implemented to be sure we could meet our mission. Between these two points, we experienced some very difficult times. In our sixty year history, we had never experienced quite as many challenging events. The good news is by the end of the year, we had made significant progress to right our fiscal ship.
I would like to thank our Board of Directors for their support and counsel during this very challenging time. Our staff who stayed focused on our mission. To our donors and groups who helped us by providing North Central Sight Services, Inc. with generous grants and United Way allocations we would not have been able to stay the course without your help.
Looking forward to 2018, we are very optimistic that the changes we have made and the service and business initiatives we have put in place will bear fruit.
Once again I want to acknowledge our board and associates or your unwavering commitment to our mission. I know that we have better times ahead of us.
Robert B. Garrett- President and Chief Executive Officer
To receive a digital copy of the annual report please email your request to: ncss@ncsight.org
As we take a look at 2016, it is really a tale of two realities. We were delighted to receive the largest NIB Employment and Growth allocation in the history of the award. This means we certainly met our mission to create employment for our Associates who are blind. We also saw consistent growth in our services in our six county area. These are both good indicators that we are consistently meeting our mission.
As we close the book on 2015, several things come to mind that can summarize the year. It was very exciting to experience this years Lions of 14G Journey for Sight Walk, our third annual Dining in the Dark, and our Golf for Sight tournament. All three events brought much needed funds to our organization and involved many associates. It was a lot of fun to participate in all three events and observe the teamwork that helped make these events a huge success.
The year 2014 marks my 40th year with North Central Sight Services, Inc. (formerly the Lycoming County Association for the Blind). Over the four decades, I have seen tremendous growth, expansion, change and a myriad of people come and go. Through it all, we have stayed true to our commitment to create meaningful jobs for people who are blind, provide outstanding adjustment and rehab services for people losing their vision and screening for symptoms that may indicate potential visual problems. I have been so fortunate to have been and continue to be a part of this great organization.
As I reflect on 2013, I have lots of thoughts. It truly was a year of highs and lows. I direct your attention to the 2013 Highlights. We certainly had a lot of great events, visitors and successes. As I think about the down turn in our funding, it is never fun to have to reduce staff. But, for the overall good of our organization, we had to make that difficult decision in June of 2013.
2012 offered many opportunities for observation and reflection. As I look back, I focus on what has had a positive outcome on those that we serve, as well as what may no longer have a meaningful purpose. The numbers presented in this report show that our Social Service and Prevention of Blindness departments dedicate many hours of essential services to individuals in our community. We were successful because we detected possible vision problems and helped individuals who are visually impaired to become more independent and accepting of vision loss.
As we reflect on 2011, several events and circumstances overwhelmingly impacted our organization. The reduction in Federal spending produced a 19% reduction in sales compared to 2010. For any business, this is a significant event.
I’m very pleased with the turn-around we experienced in 2010. As you know, 2009 was very difficult for us with the loss of significant revenue from our flash media line. We were very focused in 2010 to reduce expenses throughout the organization, from suppliers, service providers and even the printing of our newsletter. The net result was more than $250,000 in savings at all levels.