Conexus was invited as one of 4 finalist to present at the IMPACT 100 Richmond Big Give Event.  Each of the finalists were allowed 5 minutes to highlight the details of their proposal to the full IMPACT 100 membership of over 300 Richmond area women.  Following the presentation, finalists were escorted to the “green room” while the membership took a live vote to award two, $100,000 grants.

We are pleased to share Conexus was selected as one of the winners!  Conexus will use the $100,000 to bring full service vision programming to the Communities in Schools designated schools in Chesterfield and Henrico Counties (a total of 13 schools).  The project will deliver the Conexus VisioCheck program to over 5,100 student, finding nearly 1,100 in need of follow-up exams and possibly glasses. 

Conexus will then follow-up the screening program with free, onsite eye exams and glasses if necessary to referred students.  Conexus will set up a mobile vision lane in each of the participating schools and will work in collaboration with the Richmond Optometric Society to staff the clinic with local, licensed optometrists to provide the exams.

Additionally, Conexus will work with Essilor, VSP, the Robins Foundation and the Community Foundation to advance the efforts of this project.  

                THANK YOU IMPACT 100 RICHMOND!

The Conexus Board gathered to review recent programming success, approve the organization’s annual budget, strategize next steps for the Kids 2020 Campaign, and offer a heartfelt goodbye to long time screening technician, Corrine Huber.  After nearly 4 years with Conexus, Corrine and her husband are relocating to San Diego, CA in early June.  We are so grateful for all the contributions Corrine has made to Conexus over the years.  Her positive, upbeat attitude and energy will be missed!

Conexus Staff had the pleasure of meeting Michael Duenas, Chief Public Health Officer, AOA and several members of his key staff to discuss how Conexus programs and data could work to support objectives of the Association.  The meeting offered a wonderful opportunity to reflect on mutual goals regarding children’s vision and explore  opportunities to expand on current data to support increased awareness regarding the importance of good vision as it relates to school success.  We look forward to taking some of our ideas to the next step to advance vision outcomes for students!

The 27th Annual Golf Classic added another named sponsors as Essilor signed on as the RAFFLE SPONSOR!  With the support of Essilor the Golf Classic raffle will offer a 65” Vizio TV, Webber Gas Grill with Pizza Oven, Outdoor Fire Pit, Yeti cooler and more!!  We thank all of our sponsors who help to make the Conexus Golf Classic one of the most highly anticipated tournaments in the Richmond area!

Conexus is honored to receive a $25,000 grant award from the Jenkins Foundation in support of the overall goals of the Kids 20/20 Campaign.  The contribution will be used to further elevate children’s vision as a health priority as it pertains to educational success and support the science and infrastructure to transform pilot programming into a model for statewide service.  Conexus is pleased to add the Jenkins Foundation to the growing list of supporters who are investing in education by responding to the call to help remove poor vision as a barrier to classroom success.

Conexus staff, Board Chair, Roxane Gilmore, and community partner, Jay Swedenborg, CIS Chesterfield welcomed the IMPACT 100 Richmond Education Committee to share information on a pending project for select schools in Chesterfield and Henrico.   Impact 100 Richmond is a grassroots donor education and grant-making initiative, dedicated to uniting women through philanthropy and collective giving. They administer a competitive grant process with a mission to improve the lives of women and their families by transforming local nonprofits through significant, collective financial investments.  Conexus is grateful for the work of IMPACT 100 in our community and are excited to be a part of their process.

Conexus was honored to be among a long list of community partners to one of Virginia’s largest school divisions in the Commonwealth.  Chesterfield County Public  Schools (CCPS) was a key partner in Conexus recent study with VCU and is currently working to bring Conexus programs into select schools in the division for the 2018/2019 school year.  We are proud to be a part of CCPS success for their students.