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Many hardworking families in Kern County’s rural communities face financial and logistical barriers to accessing affordable eye care, leaving thousands of local children with undiagnosed vision problems that hinder their academic success and future opportunities.
We need your help to establish Bakersfield’s first local Vision Van Program to bring NO-COST EYE EXAMS AND GLASSES directly to students in outlying areas like Ridgecrest, Arvin, Taft, Kernville, Lake Isabella, Lamont, Lebec, Fairfax, Greenfield, Lost Hills, Edison, Wasco, and Shafter, ensuring that no child’s potential is limited by lack of access to vision care.
While ACE’s existing programs provide unprecedented access to eye care services for many children in the Bakersfield and Delano areas, a significant unmet need remains in Kern County’s outlying, rural communities.
Left undiagnosed, students with poor eyesight struggle to read, write, and stay engaged in academics and sports.
Low-income students and their families in rural communities like Ridgecrest, Arvin, Taft, Kernville, Lake Isabella, and Lamont lack access to affordable eye care services.
Many rural families cannot travel to Bakersfield to access eye care due to arduous work hours, transportation issues, and financial hardship.
Poor vision can severely impact academic performance and future opportunities. Children who struggle academically due to vision problems are more likely to fall behind, experience lower self-esteem, and face increased dropout risks. Additionally, poor vision can affect participation in sports and social interactions, further limiting a child’s development.
For over 14 years, ACE has been a pillar of high-quality, affordable eye care for Kern County’s underserved communities. With generous support from local and national partners, ACE provides much-needed access to eye care services through three main programs:
At our fully staffed eye clinic in Bakersfield, ACE’s optometrists and ophthalmologists provide sight-restoring medical and surgical eye care to children, adults, and seniors in need.
In 2024, ACE’s eye doctors performed:
In partnership with the Bakersfield City and Delano Union School Districts, ACE provides year-round, no-cost access to vision care for students at five campus locations.
Through this program, ACE has provided:
Over the years, ACE has also successfully teamed up with smaller local school districts and generous local and national partners to hold temporary multi-day charitable vision clinics in outlying communities.
These collaborations have delivered much-needed vision care to nearly:
By establishing a Vision Van program, ACE will be able to deliver pediatric eye care services throughout Kern County, ensuring that every child, regardless of location or financial status, has the opportunity to succeed academically.
The Vision Van will function as a fully equipped mobile eye clinic, staffed by an ACE optometrist and support team. In partnership with outlying school districts, ACE will identify and prioritize areas with the greatest need to begin delivering care on a regular basis.
Students needing glasses will get to choose from a variety of frames. Glasses will be manufactured at ACE’s Bakersfield clinic and delivered to the schools within two weeks by ACE’s optical team.
Services will be covered by insurance (e.g., Medi-Cal, Kern Family Health Care) when available, and grants and donations will cover costs for uninsured students.
ACE is seeking $100,000 to fund vehicle acquisition and customization, as well as program launch costs. The van will be staffed by ACE’s optometrists and support staff, and future funding rounds will help offset ongoing operational expenses and supplies.
We invite corporate sponsors and philanthropic partners to contribute at the following levels:
Your partnership can change lives by providing children with the vision care they need to succeed.
Join us in building the ACE Vision Van and ensuring that every child in Kern County has the opportunity to see, learn, and thrive.
To facilitate a sponsorship or generous contribution, or to discuss other ways to partner, please email us at jstambook@acecares.org.
