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
Kate Williams
Kate.Williams@cnib.ca
British Columbia & Yukon
Samantha Eng
Samantha.Eng@cnib.ca
Manitoba
La-Toya Gibbons
La-Toya.Gibbons@cnib.ca
New Brunswick
Denise Miller
Denise.Miller@cnib.ca
Newfoundland & Labrador
Kimberlie Hart
Kimberlie.Hart@cnib.ca
Nova Scotia
Aidan Gray
Aidan.Gray@cnib.ca
Ontario (North & East)
Nicole Cartmill
Nicole.Cartmill@cnib.ca
Ontario (GTA)
Angela Campos
Angela.Campos@cnib.ca
Ontario (West)
Ian Masterman
Ian.Masterman@cnib.ca
Prince Edward Island
Rick Beck
Rick.Beck@cnib.ca
Saskatchewan
Alyssa Thiessen
Alyssa.Thiessen@cnib.ca