Serving the Juniata Valley

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OUR CAUSE

History of NuVisions Center

The NuVisions Center was founded in 1945 as a workshop for blind and visually impaired individuals, producing goods that were primarily sold door-to-door in Lewistown, PA. Over the years, we have evolved to include persons with a range of disabilities who perform janitorial, sewing, manufacturing, and customer service related jobs. Our business partners include UniqueSource and SourceAmerica, and we are an affiliate partner with Cleanlogic.

Our human services have continued to expand as well. From our beginnings of offering education to blind students in their homes, to the many programs we now run offering support to a variety of individuals, our goal is to assist the communities we serve wherever help is needed. Our human service partners include the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, VisionServe Alliance, and our local United Way of Mifflin-Juniata.

February 1945

The Founding

The court granted a charter to the Juniata Foundation for the Blind.
November 1945

The Start

The Juniata Foundation for the Blind formally opens as a workshop for the blind at the corner of South Main and West Hale Streets in Lewistown, PA
February 1946

First Executive Director

Carl Shoemaker becomes the first Executive Director for this organization (Carl also founded the Beacon Lodge Camp in Mt. Union, PA)
1952

Corrective eye-care program began

1961

Organization Moves

Organization moved to new home at 658 Valley St., Lewistown.
1965

Expansion

Expansion of building at Valley St., opening up new lines of production and manufacturing
1967

Preschool vision screening program began

1985

Partnership with Photo ID centers began

1986

Commercial janitorial division launched

1991

Window treatment division began

Window treatment division was first operated under the name Juniata Custom Drapery
1996

Public School Involvement

Outreach program teaching vision safety began with local public schools
2004

Adult vision screening program for senior centers and industrial sites began

2009

A New Name

Organization changes name to the NuVisions Center
2020

75th Anniversary of the NuVisions Center

2020

Awarded $1Million

NuVisions Center awarded a $1Million RACP grant from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
2021

Purchased Second Property

Purchased second property at 20 Depot St., Lewistown to begin construction and expansion of all operations and services
2022

Our New Home

Moved into our new home at 20 Depot St.
2023

Awarded $1 Million

Awarded $1 Million in Federal funding through the support of Senator Bob Casey to renovate final building at Depot St.

What you can expect from NuVisions

Since our founding in 1945, it has been our guiding principle to help our neighbors in need. Whether through employment opportunities or services that we provide, we vow to do all that we can for those who seek our assistance.