Support Group

PALS (People Adjusting to Limited Sight)

CVI sponsors self-help groups called PALS (People Adjusting To Limited Sight) in three counties. PALS provides the visually impaired person and their families an opportunity to get together for social, educational and recreational purposes on a monthly basis. For more information on PALS, contact CVI.

VOLUSIA COUTY PALS

PALS of East Volusia

Where:

Bishop’s Glen
900 LPGA Blvd.
Holly Hill, FL 32117

When:

2nd Wednesday of the month
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Contact:

Allen Bornstein
(386) 677-1630

PALS of West Volusia

Where:

Deltona Community Center
980 Lakeshore Drive
Deltona, FL 32725

When:

2nd Tuesday of the month
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Contact:

Cindy Justice
Deltona Office: (386) 860-7389


FLAGLER COUNTY PALS

Flagler PALS

Where:

St. Thomas Episcopal Church
5400 Belle Terre Parkway
Palm Coast, FL 32137

When:

2nd Tuesday of the month
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Contact:

Pat Jones
(386) 206-3061

PUTNAM COUNTY PALS

Putnam PALS

Where:

Cherry Tree Community Center
206 Zeagler Drive
Palatka, FL 32177

When:

2nd Thursday of the month
1:00-3:00 p.m.

Contact:

President Richard Johnson
(386) 684-6825
Assistant President Marie Colbivin

BREVARD COUNTY PALS

ROCKLEDGE

Where:

CVI Office
571 Haverty Court, Suite O
Rockledge, FL 32955

When:

3rd Friday of the month
1:00-3:00 p.m.

Contact:

Taffie Cash
CVI Brevard Office: (321) 631-9791

COCOA

None currently. New meetings TBA.

MELBOURNE

Where:

Melbourne Library
540 East Fee Street
Melbourne, FL 32901

When:

4th Friday of the month
1:00-3:00 p.m.

Contact:

Taffie Cash
CVI Brevard Office: (321) 631-9791

TITUSVILLE

Where:

Titusville Library
2121 S. Hopkins Ave.
Titusville, FL 32780

When:

2nd Wednesday of the month
2:00-4:00 p.m.

Contact:

Sherie Aston-Shell
CVI Brevard Office: (321) 631-9791

SIP N SEE AFTERNOON TEA

A new counseling program was started this past year. It meets every Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon at CVI. The program has a series of eight topics for discussion. The group is led by a Rehabilitation Instructor and Counselor. Tea and goodies are served. There is no cost, but you must provide your own transportation or schedule Votran.

FRIENDS OF CVI

Friends of CVI is CVI's own main support group whose purpose is to assist the agency with community outreach, financial and in-kind contributions, provide volunteer services and serve as an advisory council for the agency programs. The Friends group meets quarterly at various restaurants in Volusia & Brevard Counties. Call CVI in Volusia County (386) 253-8879  ask for Stephanie Katz or Debbie Ryan. For Brevard County ( 321) 631-9791 and ask for Becky Fields or Sherie Aston-Shell. For more information on how you can join us by becoming a member of the Friends of CVI, check out the luncheon dates in our EVENT section.

OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES

(Not directly affiliated with CVI)

HALIFAX COUNCIL of the BLIND,
CHAPTER of FLORIDA COUNCIL of the BLIND,
AFFILIATE of AMERICAN COUNCIL of the BLIND

The council is an advocacy, support and blindness informational resource group. The majority of its members are blind. Dues include a bi-monthly subscription to the White Cane Bulletin and a monthly subscription to the Braille Forum.

Where:

Orientation and Adjustment Center
1111 Willis Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114

When:

2nd Thursday of the month
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Dues:

$10.00/yr

Contact:

President: Mary Ellen Ottman
(386) 257-2343

HAVOC: HANDICAP ADULTS OF VOLUSIA COUNTY

HAVOC is a county group that advocates for all groups that are handicapped. For example, every October they hold a white cane demonstration to make the public aware of those that use the white cane and laws related to its use. They have been a chartered group for 28 years. HAVOC also hold social events. They have a covered dish dinner every 4th meeting. There is also an annual beach party picnic in the fall.

Where:

Votran Headquarters
950 Big Tree Road
South Daytona, FL 32119

When:

1st Wednesday of the month
1:00 p.m.

Dues:

$5.00/year

Contact:

President: David Dixon
(386) 760-3180

BLIND BOWLERS

The bowlers play three games at each meeting and have a banquet at the end of the season. They give both individual and team awards. They do several fundraisers, such as candy sales and raffles to go to the Nationals.

Where:

Belair Lanes
2575 N Atlantic Ave
Daytona Beach, FL 32118

When:

Every Saturday
10:00 a.m.

Dues:

$9.00 is required for membership
$6.00 optional SE Blind Bowlers Assoc. Memb.
$7.00 per week for lane fees and prizes

Contact:

President Mary Tyson
Mark Lear (386) 254-3852

OPEN ARMS OUTREACH

Open Arms Outreach is a support group for the blind and visually impaired of all ages. They serve a free meal and have occasional guest speakers.

Where:

Holy Cross Lutheran Church
724 Big Tree Road
South Daytona, FL 32119

When:

2nd Saturday of the month
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Contact:

David Jollymore
(386) 767-6542

SIGHT SEEKERS

Sight Seekers is a support group for the blind and visually impaired. Guest speakers are provided, as well as trips such as the Riverboat in Sanford. They also go out to lunch occasionally along with an annual Christmas party.

Where:

Coronado Community United Methodist Church
201 South Peninsula Drive
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169

When:

2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Contact:

President, Inez Hooks
(386) 427-5777

GREATER DAYTONA BEACH CHAPTER of the NATIONAL FEDERATION of the BLIND

is an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. The objective of the group is the complete integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality. It is support, advocacy and blindness informational resource group. Dues include a subscription to the NFBF Focus and a monthly to the Braille Monitor.

Where:

Piccadilly Cafeteria
200 North Ridgewood Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114

When:

4th Saturday of the month
11:15 a.m.

Dues:

$10.00/yr

Contact:

President: Kathy Davis
(386) 677-6886

Center for Independent Living

The purpose of this group is to advocate for people with various disabilities in the areas of housing, transportation, health care, voting, employment, education and any other area that may be of concern.

Where:

Disability Solutions for Independent Living
475 South Nova Rd
Ormond Beach, FL 32174

Contact:

(386) 671-1960

LOCATIONS

Main Facility
1187 Dunn Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 253-8879
(386) 253-9178-FAX

Deltona
Justin Square
840 Deltona Blvd. Suite C
Deltona, Fl 32725
(386) 860-7389
(386) 860-5525 FAX

Brevard County
571 Haverty Ct. Suite O
Rockledge, Fl 32955
(321) 631-9791
(321) 631-8068 FAX

(386) 860-7389
Toll Free: (800) 227-1284