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TABLE OF CONTENTS:
COVER
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MISSION: AMBITION
MISSION: MOTIVATION
MISSION: NUMBERS
MISSION: IMPACT
SHOT IN THE DARK
LIVE AT THE LAKEFRONT
2018 DONOR THANK YOU LIST
Beyond Vision – 2018 Annual Report
Top Row: Julius Perez, Assembly & Packaging and Cheryl Ruebling, Assembly & Packaging walk through the production area; LaSonda Harps, Assembly & Packaging smiles as she wears safety glasses. Bottom Row: Megan Sinks, Customer Care Specialist and Michelle Mills, Customer Care Specialist at Naval Station Great Lakes Base Supply Center; Guillermo Baena, Business Development Professional and Keely, Professional Service Dog, walk along State Street in front of Beyond Vision.
The Vision that drives us – “Beyond Vision will enrich the lives of Americans who are blind…
through the dignity of work valued by customers and the community.”
Beyond Vision | 414-778-5800 | 5316 West State Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208
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Dear Friends of Beyond Vision,
The television character Mr. Phelps was part of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) in the hit series Mission Impossible. Do you remember the line, “Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it…”?
At Beyond Vision our mission is to help people with vision loss or complete blindness pursue the dignity of a career so they can live a full and independent life. Our mission to reduce the 70% unemployment among this group of Americans is a noble cause worth pursuing. We call that “Mission Possible”.
Beyond Vision and our employees exemplify the “Mission Possible” philosophy. Think about it. How is it possible for a company with a mostly visually impaired and blind workforce to compete head-to-head with commercial companies with typically sighted employees? How is it possible Beyond Vision pays all employees, regardless of their vision, market competitive earnings above minimum wage and provides excellent benefits? How is it possible at Beyond Vision people with full vision and people with limited vision are working side by side in an integrated environment with the same expectations for performance? How is it possible a person with little or no sight can develop a career path to management or even executive leadership? How is it possible our employees are contributing to society, paying taxes, volunteering, and supporting themselves and their families?
This is all “mission possible” because of our philosophy. We focus on people’s abilities, not their disability. We continually challenge the status quo of what a person can do. We instead embrace the metaphor of Beyond Vision as a “runway”…a place to land and a place to take off in your career. We embrace the idea people with vision loss still see; they merely see a different way. We understand people who are visually-challenged, or blind don’t want a hand-out. They just need a hand up and an opportunity to prove they can do it. And they can.
We are growing so much we are out of space. We are in the process of buying property to build a new home. This won’t just be a new home for Beyond Vision. We intend to invite all providers serving the visually impaired and blindness community to co-locate on our campus. A Wisconsinite experiencing vision loss will be able to find help with their health needs, rehabilitation training, and braille reading.
We are proud of every member of our team at Beyond Vision. These are real jobs and real people, earning real pay, doing real work for real companies in an integrated environment and competitive markets. We are growing the mission and spreading the Mission Possible philosophy among more and more customers every year.
Even Mr. Phelps of the IMF would call Beyond Vision “Mission Possible”.
Sincerely,
Jim Kerlin, President & CEO and William Hughes, Chairman of the Board of Directors
Quote: “I can do anything a sighted person can do, all you have to do is watch me.”
– Julius Perez
Image: Renee Jones, Julius Perez and Sophia Kipp work together in Assembly & Packaging.
Thomas E. Arenberg, Chairman Emeritus
Accenture (Retired)
Jacque Cline
President, JayCee Bridges, Inc.
Shawn Duffy, C.P.A
Controller, WTC Machinery
John Emanuel
Senior Counsel, Husch Blackwell LLP
William Hughes,Chairman Elect
USAFR (Retired)
Attorney, Partner, Husch Blackwell LLP
Eric D. Isbister, Secretary
CEO, GenMet Corporation
James Kerlin
President & CEO, Beyond Vision
Donald Klenk
Global VP Operations
Turf & Construction Production Group
Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Paul E. Lima
Major General, U.S. Army (Retired)
Burton Metz
Wangard Partners
Jeffrey Alan Peil
Solutions Development Lead,
Ascension Information Services
Eric Schumann
Potala Company (Retired)
Art Wasserman, J.D., PhD, M.B.A.
Rhodes Scholar
Corp. Div. Gen.Mgr.
College Dean,
Attorney (Retired)
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MISSION: AMBITION
The Blind Ambition Capital Campaign – Goal $22 Million – Empowering people with vision loss throughout Wisconsin
In mid-2018 Beyond Vision made a significant decision to expand its mission of providing meaningful and sustainable employment for people who are visually impaired or blind. Current facilities are choked for space and larger, more efficient and universally designed space is necessary for future growth.
Beyond Vision’s Blind Ambition is to not stand alone. Rather, we are inviting other organizations and agencies serving those coping with vision loss to co-locate with us. Blinded Military Veterans, Community/Family Support, Education, Eye Health, Rehabilitation, and, of course, Jobs can all be located under one roof with convenient access to public transportation.
Upward Mobility
Image: Mary LaPointe, Quote: “I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise.”
DeLonna first noticed a change in her vision in 1999. As a result of Uvitis and Sarcoidosis her vision worsened and by 2012, she was no longer able to drive a car or live the life she was accustomed to.
“Once my vision began decreasing significantly, I drifted into a slight depression – not only because I was losing my vision, but because I felt as if no one around me understood my visual impairment. Losing my sight as an adult, I just don’t know where to turn for help.”
While attending classes at MATC, DeLonna was also searching for volunteer opportunities to help others coping with vision loss. Her search led her to Beyond Vision. Rather than a volunteer opportunity, DeLonna instead found a life-changing career opportunity. She began working as a temp in the Customer Care Center in 2015. She quickly proved herself to be a valuable asset. She has demonstrated the necessary skillsets to advance in her career and is now the Team Lead in the Customer Care Center.
When asked what Beyond Vision means to her, she said “Beyond Vision has given me a sense of independence I never thought or knew I could have.”
Because of the dignity of work, DeLonna and her husband, Leonard, are able to take care of their 9-year-old daughter, Lyniah. In her spare time, DeLonna enjoys shopping, traveling, and most important, spending time with her family.
51% Mission Ration – 105 Employees, 53 Employees who are blind, 52 Employees who are sighted. All working side-by-side.
82,765 Blind Paid Working Hours
94% Blind Direct Labor for SKILCRAFT products
$27,692,912 Revenues
$385,294 Fundraising
Our Mission:
Grow by being a valued partner to customers, suppliers, and the community while operating as a fiscally responsible enterprise.
Image: Sarah Heesen, Talent Acquisition, smiling in the sunshine. “It’s a win-win for employment any way you look at it.
Our mission extends further than the state of Wisconsin.
We provide employment opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired across the USA by operating Base Supply Centers on Federal installations to serve our military with supplies and SKILCRAFT® products.
• 934th Airlift Wing –
Minneapolis, MN
• Coast Guard Island –
Alameda, CA
• Defense Supply Center –
Columbus, OH
• Fort McCoy –
Fort McCoy, WI
• Naval Station Great Lakes –
Great Lakes, IL
• NASA Ames Research Center –
Moffett Field, CA
• Scott Air Force Base –
Scott AFB, IL
• TACOM – Detroit Arsenal –
Warren, MI
Those who have served in the military or worked for the government will be familiar with the SKILCRAFT® brand. Since 1938, SKILCRAFT® products have been produced by people who are blind for purchase by federal government institutions under federal mandate. This includes uniforms, office supplies, tools and many more products. Beyond Vision employees produce floor mats, privacy filters and socket sets under the SKILCRAFT® brand that are sold to the federal government.
Golfers at our signature fundraising event gathered at Silver Spring Golf Club in September to support our job training programs. This event is always a one-of-a-kind experience, with half the course played in the dark.
Image — collage of people preparing to golf and chatting before teeing off.
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In August, our donors, friends and customers gathered once again on Milwaukee’s lakefront to celebrate our mission.
Image — Pictures of Beyond Vision employees, board members and supporters.
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MISSION: TALENT
An Integrated Workforce to Fulfill Our Mission
some policy makers and members of the disability community express concerns about “competitive and integrated” work environments. Because of our participation in federal and state programs that require a certain percentage of workers who are legally blind, some have even questioned if these are “real jobs.” They still assume the old “sheltered workshop” model. Our employees know there is nothing fake about the work we do. We are a team of diverse people working hard for our Mission and our customers.
In 2012, our Board of Directors approved our rebranding to Beyond Vision. That was the easy part. The next difficult step was to create a logo and corporate identity reflecting who we are and how we want stakeholders to view us. Many renditions of a logo were reviewed by decision makers. Our Board chose a silhouette of a person with a cane shaking hands with the silhouette of a person without one.
The logo symbolizes the partnership between Beyond Vision and our customers. However, six years since its inception, our logo has come to mean different things to different people. For many employees it has come to symbolize our workforce; an integrated group of dedicated people who are blind, visually impaired, and sighted working together to fulfill our Mission.
One silhouette is not taller or larger than the other. They are equal. It does not reflect race, gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation. It symbolizes an inclusive work environment passionate about solving the employment and upward mobility issue for people who are blind or visually impaired and offering competitive pay and benefits, not just minimum wage.
Today, nearly 51 percent of our overall workforce is legally blind or visually impaired. Our “Mission” employees work at all levels of the organization, including senior leadership, professional/technical experts, customer service representatives and those entering the workforce for the very first time. Daily, these employees demonstrate what is possible with attitude, skills, the right tools, and an inclusive and accessible work environment.
Employees who are not visually impaired, or blind bring their various talents and experiences to our Mission. They also bring a tremendous amount of passion and creativity to their roles. They soon learn their role is not “helper,” rather an equal partner striving to improve the employment outcomes for people who are blind or visually impaired.
We will continue to foster a competitive and integrated work environment at Beyond Vision. But we won’t stop there. Our culture is committed to working together in an inclusive and accessible environment for all our employees.
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MISSION: BEYOND115
Beyond Vision’s Timeline of Historical Highlights
1903, Beginnings – Established as a State agency under the State Board of Control with 16 men weaving baskets.
1920s, Relationships – Began working relationships with companies like Harley-Davidson and Briggs & Stratton.
1932, Products – Began producing cocoa mats for the U.S. Government and still do today.
1958, Manufacturing – Opened one of only two machine shops operated by people who are blind in the U.S. that is still working.
1965, Location – Moved into the current State Street location, the former Milwaukee Electric Tool facility.
1985, Independence – Separated from the State as a fully self-funded social enterprise, Wiscraft.
1997, Expansion – Started AIB and opened our first Base Supply Center at Naval Station Great Lakes.
2002, Qualification – Earned ISO9001:2000 Certification, rare among similar agencies at the time.
2009, Innovation – Opened Customer Care Center to provide greater career advancement opportunities for employees.
2013, Representation – Representation Functionally merged Wiscraft and AIB to launch Beyond Vision.
2018, Ambition – Continue to innovate and grow while employing people who are blind side-by-side with sighted people earning a competitive wage and benefits.
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2018 DONORS – THANK YOU!
INDIVIDUALS
Ann Adkins
Peter Adkins
Roger Adkins
Diane & Thomas Arenberg
Clifford Asmuth
Jane Asmuth
Jean Avery
Mike Banach
Jackie Barber
Michael Barber
Kevin Barbour
Lukas Baumann
Brian Beaumier
Bill & Denee Becker
Scott Beglinger
Lee Beitzel
Casey Berrall
Gordy Bradley
Chris Brannin
Garrett Brigman
Steve Bruno
Dan Brunow
Steve Brunow
Janet Buettner
Mike Buettner
Rob Buettner
Ron Buettner
Wendy Buettner
Joe Carollo
Natalie Cerfus
Al Cervero
Robbin Cervero
Brian Clausen
Adam Connor
Jacque Cline
Kristin Cotter
Kristin Cox
Pat Crain
Patty Crain
Danielle Cruise
Matt Cruise
Jillian Culver
Pat Czaplewski
Steve D’Amato
Matt Davies
Mike Davis
Paul Dawson
Brian Dean
Trent Denlinger
Jerry DeQuardo
Tim Desmond
John Donovan
Andy Dressing
Linda Dubiak
Shawn Duffy
Brian Dwyer
Charlene Dwyer
Kevin Dwyer
John Emanuel
Wendy Emanuel
Thomas Enters
Justin Erdamnn
Bernie Erenberger
Luke Esslinger
Lisa Farr-Chowanek
Joseph Fenceroy
Noah Fenceroy
Steve Ferguson
Art Flater
LeAnne Foster
Frank Gimbel
Matt Glassel
Patty Gobin
Tim Granitz
Mary Gross
Ryan Guilette
Ric Guthrie
Guy Gutsche
Mike Hacker
Tom Hagen
Colleen Hannon
Linda Hapka
Jason Harper
Mike Harpster
Greg Hart
David Haugh
Steve Heberer
Aaron Heidersheid
Marissa Helms
Kurt Huemmer
William Hughes
Peggy Hughes
Duncan Isbister
Eric Isbister
Mary Isbister
Nick Janke
Tyler Kelly
Andy Kerlin
Bill (Willie) Kerlin
Jim Kerlin
Shawn Kerlin
Neal Kerlin
Paul Kihslinger
Bill King
Linda Klean
Don Klenk
Cindy Klenk
Kris Knudsen
Tim Lamm
Christa Lange
CJ Lange
Mary LaPointe
Stewart LaPointe
Gen. Paul Lima
Cindy Linnan
Pat Linnan
Pat Linnane
Deb Lucas
Jeff Lucas
Billy MacDonald
John Maggio
Michelle Martinson
Dave Mayo
Amy Meier
Anne Metz
Burton Metz
Robin Mickler
Mike Miller
Mike Moennig
Austin Moore
Bridget Moore
Mike Moore
Paula Moore
Ronald Morey
George Mosher
Julie Mosher
Ashley Mueller
Chris Mullen
Eileen Murphy
Ryan Muzik
Paul Muzzey
Ryan Namey
Deb Nelson
Jeff Olson
Anthony Otto
Cindy Pagenkopf
Kevin Pagenkopf
Jessica Parsons
George Patterson
Joe Paulus
Jeff Peil
Kim Peil
Julius Perez
Kevin Peters
Pat Pfersch
Luc Piessens
Cindy Pinkley
Julie Potnek
Chris Powers
Jakob Powers
Jeff Powers
Mike Proctor
Mike Quill
Kevin Riordan
Bobbi Ruston
Doug Ruston
Matt Schendel
Tom Schiesl
Scott Schultz
Carl Schumacher
Eric Schumann
Jane Schumann
Peter Schwabe
Nick Scott
Lynn Sigfred
Mike Smith
Paul Spencer
Bob Stachowiak
John Stibal
Tracey Strombeck
Kedrick Strutz
Dick Theado
Sharon Thompson
Ken Tibbits
Steve Ticcioni
Joyce Tomkowiak
Guadalupe Torijos
Dan Toryfter
William & Barabara Velez
James & Yong Voigt
DiAnna Vouvakis
Emmanuel Vouvakis
Monica Waddington
Jack Walden
Arthur Wasserman
Shane Weiske
Nicholas Wergin
Aaron Winkler
Jim Ziebart
Kristin Ziebart
William Zlotocha
FOUNDATIONS
Amazon Smile Foundation
Bader Philanthropies, Inc
Badger Meter Foundation Inc.
Bradley Impact Fund
Briggs & Stratton Foundation
City of Milwaukee
Cudahy Lions Club
Dorothy Inbush Foundation
Dr Harry J Heeb Foundation
Forest County Potawatomi
Foundation
GE Foundation
Green Bay Packers Foudnation
Guidestar K Foundation
Harley Davidson Foundation
Hartford Kettle Moraine Lions Club
Hartford Lions Club
Helmut Wolfgang Schumann
Foundation
JayKay Foundation
Lions Clubs of Wisconsin
Margaret Wiegand Trust
Newburg Lions Club
Park Banks Foundation
Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund
Stackner Family Foundation
Thomas J Reinhart Foundation
Walter Lindsay Foundation
Waukesha Lions Club
CORPORATIONS
3M
American Transmission Company
Bartolotta Catering
Belleville Boot Company
Boerke Company
Bostik, Inc
Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Broken Bat Brewery
Capital Investment Services of America
Chrysalis Pakaging
Coakley Brothers
Commerce State Bank
Crown Mats
Dawes Crane Rental
Dental Associates Downtown
Discovery World Museum
Duffy Grain
Essendant
GenMet
HD Supply
Heritage House
Husch Blackwell LLP
Industries for the Blind Milwaukee
Kimpton Journeyman Hotel
King Innovative LLC
Kohl’s Corporation
Legacy Capital Partners
Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Community Sailing Center
National Business Furniture
National Industries for the Blind
Pabst Theater Group
Robertson Ryan & Associates
Rock Bottom Brewery
Saz’s Catering Inc
Silver Spring Golf Club
Six Points Office LLC
The Wicked Hop
Thrivent Financial
Vision Forward Association
Wines for Humanity
Wipfli