Building a better future for the blind and low vision
Just a few photos from member activities: hiking, dinners, technology help, field trips, Craft workshops, and more.
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Support groups: Join our Assistive Technology and Smart Glasses User Groups in person, via Zoom, or by phone.
One-on-one technical assistance: Personalized help is available by appointment.
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Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn Videos are made possible by Members and Supporters of the Center of the Blind and by viewers like you.
- Pathlight Project
- New London Police
- Human Guide Training
- Hadley Helps
- The Hull Foundation
- iBUG Today
- New England ADA Center
- The Blind Kitchen
Our Mission
Our mission is to serve the social, recreational, educational, referral, and advocacy needs of the blind and visually impaired population of southeastern Connecticut and assist them in attaining and maintaining an independent lifestyle.
Our Story
The Center of the Blind was founded in 1972 through the efforts of Marjorie Heath, a blind woman who felt the need for blind and visually impaired persons to come together for social and recreational opportunities. It was incorporated on May 12, 1976.
The Center offers services to the more than 1,000 legally blind residents of Southeastern Connecticut. We have an ongoing volunteer force to help with social and recreational activities, reading, clerical work, and transportation.
We are a 501c3 organization and depend on funding from private contributions, donations, fundraising, and grants.
Board of Directors
Scott Skinner President
Born in New Brunswick, Canada, and became US Citizen in 1999. Attended Rhode Island College, University of RI, Eastern Nazarene College, and Insurance Institute of America earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) magna cum laude and an Associate in Insurance Services (AIS). Diagnosed at MA Eye and Ear with a rare form of Retinitis Pigmentosa in 2008 resulting in legal blindness in 2016. Currently employed by Employment and Training Institute (ETI). Served as a board member for Tides Family Services. Been a member of The Center of the Blind since 2016 and a board member since 2020.
Michael Coughlin Vice President
Mike was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1947. He attended the University of Notre Dame, the University of Miami, and the University of Southern California, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, a Master of Science in Ocean Engineering, and a Master of Science in Systems Management, respectively.
He worked at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Bolt, Beranek, and Newman, and the Boeing Company. In these roles, he advanced Navy submarine projects. Mike has lived with macular degeneration since the age of seven and was able to pursue a successful engineering career due to advances in assistive technologies beginning in the early 1970s.
He retired in 2021. During his career and since his retirement, Mike has served in various roles with the Library for Assistive Books advisory board, CRIS Radio, the Waterford Education Foundation, and the Notre Dame Club of Southeastern Connecticut. He joined the Center in 2021, became a Board member in 2022, and was elected Vice President in 2026.
Tammy Paradis Secretary
A true believer in advocating for the blind and visually impaired. She attended the SC School for the Blind and Helen Keller School for the Deaf and Blind Adults to prepare for her future living with Ushers Syndrome: a rare genetic disease which causes a slow loss of vision and hearing. Tammy joined the Center of the Blind in 2016 and became a board member in 2017, and has been the Secretary of the Board since Jan. 2018. She currently prepares the monthly newsletter, records the monthly minutes, and handles all correspondence and event planning at the Center.
Marion Ouellette Treasurer
Graduated with a bachelor degree in music education from UCONN and graduated with a masters degree in special education from Southern CT University.
She worked 5 years in the Ledyard School system as a music teacher in the middle school level.
She then worked 18 years in the Plainfield School system as a special educational teacher for elementary & middle school levels.
She and her husband Al, currently reside in Uncasville and have 2 sons and 6 grandchildren. She has been a member of the Center of the Blind for 25 years. She has participated in numerous fundraisers for the Center such as; Blind Man's Bluff, Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinners, and our Pancake Breakfast.
She is a former member of the Montville Lions Club with 23 years of perfect attendance.
Nanette Burdick
Lee Couture
Kirsten Orzechowski
Albert Ouellette
Michael Sullivan
Pat Tavares
Executive Director
Renée LaBonté
Renée LaBonté earned her Bachelors in English, summa cum laude from Rhode Island College in 2012 and Master of Fine Arts in Poetry from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2017. While in Wilmington, she was a Coordinator for Writers in Action, a nonprofit that placed graduate student volunteers in public elementary and middle schools to teach creative writing.
Upon joining the workforce, Renée realized that nonprofit administration and community engagement were where she desired to spend her time. When she returned to Rhode Island, Renée worked with kindergarten students to college level interns in literacy and visual arts. In 2022 Renée moved to Connecticut where she worked with senior volunteers in the New London County community. This is where she encountered the SE CT Community Center of the Blind. Renée's vision for the center is to facilitate sustainable growth and to meet the changing needs of the Center’s Members.
Our Supporters
Eugene G. & Margaret M. Blackford Memorial Fund
fbo Blind, Bank of America, N.A., Co‑Trustee
Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America
Leo Edward Fund
Anthony F. Bauer
Trust Fund
Favolise Family Fund
Official Print House of the SE CT Community Center of the Blind
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION POLICY
The South East CT Community Center of the Blind is committed to creating an environment that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable where all staff, Center members, volunteers, partners, vendors, and board members are treated with respect and dignity.
For the purposes of this statement, diversity refers to race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual identity, familial status, age, disability and socio-economic status; Inclusion is valuing, respecting, and encouraging the full participation of each individual in the life and leadership of the organization; Equity is a process that ensures all people have the opportunity to contribute, develop, and grow despite historical, structural, legislative, racial, and socio-economic inequities.
The South East CT Community Center of the Blind is an organization that celebrates the rich diversity of the southeastern CT region. We will not tolerate discrimination, biases, harassment, or bullying of any kind. Regardless of race, socio-economic status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, or marital status, we are an organization that celebrates the richness of our community.
As an organization and Board of Directors, we agree to be guided by these principles and pledge that they will be reflected in our vision, mission, strategic planning, programming, governance, and board composition. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our members, volunteers and programs we develop and support.
