Helen Keller once said that “What I am looking for is not ‘out there’ it is in me.” In early 2002, I subscribed to receive emails about possible volunteer opportunities at Prevent Blindness Texas. After much curiosity and a spark of interest in PBT’s volunteer opportunities, I decided to visit the PBT office and find out more information about becoming a volunteer. To my surprise, I was instead notified that the “Kid Matters Program Coordinator” would soon be leaving PBT and instead, I was offered the opportunity to apply for the part-time position. What started off as a possible volunteer opportunity quickly turned into a wonderful and rewarding job experience.
My name is Monica Saenz
and I currently serve as the state program director for Prevent Blindness
Texas. Since June 2006 I have been responsible for facilitating the planning,
coordination and evaluation of programs for Prevent Blindness Texas and its
branches and/or regional offices. My key responsibilities include developing
and maintaining collaborative partnerships with service organizations and
community resources, as well as providing guidance and technical assistance to
offices in program implementation. Over the past few years my job duties have
expanded to include creating program delivery models to expand within the
regions, actively seeking funding sources to support the continuation of our
programs on a statewide level, and implementing social media programs, as well
as our newly designed website to increase our visibility. Prior to
assuming my current position in June 2006 I also served as the Kid Matters
Program Coordinator, Client Services Coordinator, and Houston Program
Director.
I never thought my
part-time job would turn into one of the most rewarding and fulfilling career
experiences. Some of my proudest moments at PBT include working with new
staff and learning from their previous work experiences and innovative ideas,
hearing the wonderful news of our volunteers getting accepted into optometry
school, BUT most importantly receiving success stories from grateful clients
who have received assistance through our sight-saving programs and
services. Throughout my 10 years at Prevent Blindness Texas I have
realized that providing support to the PBT team and knowing that our programs
and services have made and continue to make a difference in many lives has also
made a difference in my life. Whether it’s the school nurse, teacher, parent,
or adult who calls and says that an eye exam and/or eyeglasses has made a
difference in their lives, this is one of the many reasons that reassures me
that “it is in me” to continue my work at Prevent Blindness Texas and/or in the
non-profit and health industry. I encourage everyone to find out more information about Prevent Blindness Texas by visiting us at our website or by following us on Facebook or Twitter.
Celebrating Sight,
Monica
 |
Monica, thank you for everything that you have done for Prevent
Blindness Texas, its clients, its partners, and the nonprofit and health
industry, in general.
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