Braille Institute held their first ever virtual Annual Meeting Celebration via a live stream on YouTube on September 23, 2020. Braille Institute students, patrons, staff, volunteers, board members, auxiliaries and friends were invited by President Peter Mindnich and came together to celebrate, recognize, and share organizational accomplishments and impact over the past year.
Included below is a full video of the Annual Meeting Celebration live stream which includes several stories about Braille Institute students and staff members and how they have continued to achieve goals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dozens of BIA staff members who are celebrating service milestones of 20 years or more and those who are retiring were also recognized.
At the 3:45 mark, several students share their stories of how they have adjusted their lives and learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out how Braille Institute’s services and staff have helped these students from across Southern California continue to learn and reach their goals with remote services and how they have made a positive impact on their lives.
Starting at the 12:14 mark, Braille Institute Instructors Julie Slusher and Maribel Spell give a look at how they have adjusted their instruction and service since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. The video provides a look in at them working directly with students remotely with testimony from students on how these new remote services and their instruction have benefitted them at a difficult time.
A look at what the Braille Institute Johnny Mercer Youth Music Program and Choir have been doing the past year and during the COVID-19 pandemic begins at the 18:23 mark. Choir Director, Scarlett Brais, shares a glimpse of her virtual music lessons and the story of the choir performing at the Hollywood Bowl with Cyndi Lauper.
The program closes at the 28:47 mark with a celebration and recognition of Braille Institute staff members who have been with the organization for 20 years or more, with some celebrating milestones of more than 40 years.
Braille Institute would like to thank all our students, patrons, staff, volunteers, board members, auxiliaries and friends for everything they do for the organization and the organization is truly excited for the year to come.
