Chapters in North America

While receiving hands-on training in public health programs, our chapter volunteers gain skills to become new leaders in public health. Chapter volunteers experience the thrill of contributing to change on the highest level.

Who Can Start a Chapter?

Unite For Sight has opportunities for college, graduate, and high school students to start chapters in their local communities. There are two chapter track options: Community-Based Chapter and Global Health Chapter.

How To Start a Chapter

Apply to start a chapter >>
If your application is approved, Unite For Sight will contact you, schedule a phone conversation with you, and work with you to establish a chapter of Unite For Sight

Chapter Track Option 1: Community-Based Chapters

Overview: Unite For Sight's chapter volunteers are trained to reduce barriers to care by serving as advocates for community members. Chapter volunteers train teachers to identify visual issues among their students, and they also inform teachers about how to coordinate free eye care for any uninsured students. The chapter volunteers similarly train the staff at community centers (i.e. soup kitchens, homeless shelters, free clinics, etc.) about the resources available for their clients to receive free eye care through professional organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology (EyeCare America) and American Optometric Association (VisionUSA). Each chapter eliminates blindness in their community by enabling thousands each year to be connected with free eye care by eye care professionals.

In addition to community-based events, Unite For Sight chapters also fundraise to provide sight-restoring eye care in developing countries. 100% of the funds raised provide sight-restoring surgeries for patients living in extreme poverty.

Chapter Structure: Chapters are comprised of at least 5 chapter volunteers who are required to complete Unite For Sight's 30-minute Community Impact Training, and only those who complete training are permitted to participate with the Unite For Sight chapter.

Impact: Through community-based programs, each chapter links approximately 1,000 medically underserved people per year with free eye care through professional organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Optometric Association. Through university-based campus fundraising activities, chapters also are involved in reducing poverty in villages and expand opportunity to those whose sight is restored by Unite For Sight.

Staff Support and Quality Programs: Our staff works closely with the leader of each chapter to establish effective, high-impact programs. Chapter leaders learn the fundamentals of launching socially innovative programs, and we provide chapter leaders and chapter volunteers with ample guidance and training. Our research, experience, and evaluation has enabled us to develop a highly successful model that ensures that community members receive the highest quality of care by locally available eye doctors through professional organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Optometric Association.

Chapter Track Option 2: Global Health Chapters

Overview: Unite For Sight's chapter volunteers fundraise to provide sight-restoring eye care in developing countries. 100% of the funds raised provide sight-restoring surgeries for patients living in extreme poverty. Chapters are also encouraged to hold global health events and activities.

Chapter Structure: Chapters are comprised of at least 5 chapter volunteers who are required to complete 10 minutes of fundraising training, and only those who complete training are permitted to participate with the Unite For Sight chapter.

Impact: 100% of the fundraising efforts by Unite For Sight's fellows provide poor patients with free eye care and sight-restoring surgeries. Each cataract surgery costs $50 on average, so every dollar that you fundraise makes a tremendous impact on the lives of children and adults.