The Vision Mate program matches people who are blind or partially sighted with sighted volunteers who provide companionship and one-on-one assistance with everyday tasks and errands. Activities you and your match do together are based on your needs and interests! Vision Mate volunteers can assist individuals with various activities, including errands, going for walks, labelling and organizing household items, reading, or fun outings and recreational activities.
Matches are made with someone who lives close to your home, school or work. Visits are typically one or two hours a week in the person’s home or another suitable place at a mutually convenient time.
Over time, the vision mate relationship often transitions to friendship. That’s why age, gender, interests, and travel distance play a role in making the match. We aim to match people for a minimum of six months, though there is no maximum time for a match to continue – ideally, it will continue for years to come.
If you are interested in being matched with Vision Mate in your area, please contact the program lead for your region:
Alberta
Dayna Fox
Dayna.Fox@cnib.ca
British Columbia & Yukon
Ben Finkelberg
Ben.Finkelberg@cnib.ca
(250) 410-4368
Manitoba
Ben Neufeld
Ben.Neufeld@cnib.ca
(204) 509-9658
New Brunswick
Denise Miller
Denise.Miller@cnib.ca
(506) 871-0657
Newfoundland & Labrador
Sophie Burke
Sophie.Burke@cnib.ca
Nova Scotia
Aidan Gray
Aidan.Gray@cnib.ca
(902) 403-8487
Ontario (East)
Nicole Cartmill
Nicole.Cartmill@cnib.ca
Ontario (GTA)
Angela Campos
Angela.Campos@cnib.ca
(416) 727-8691
Ontario (North & West)
Ian Masterman
Ian.Masterman@cnib.ca
(613) 513-4398
Prince Edward Island
Rick Beck
Rick.Beck@cnib.ca
(902) 314-3869
Quebec
Franck Sanou
Franck.Sanou@inca.ca
(263) 688-7020
Saskatchewan
Mapendo Buhendwa
Mapendo.Buhendwa@cnib.ca
(306) 501-1641