July Newsletter 

Introduce optical Prime to Your Colleagues and Friends

Missed the dedication? Want to take a tour, but can’t get away from work? optical Prime can come to you! We want to make sure everyone in town knows about Central Texas’ only mobile eye clinic. And, because we are mobile, we can come to you. optical Prime is available in July and after 3:30pm in August for groups of 20 or more to tour the clinic in small groups. To learn more or invite optical Prime to your location, contact Meghan Jones at meghan@halfhelen.org.

Inspiring People Video

In June, the Grotto Network featured Chelsea Elliott and half Helen in their series on inspiring people. Check it out.

Meet Laura Levilly-Deola,
hH’s New Operations Manager

Born in Nice, France, Laura studied Arts and Business Management at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest in Angers, France, one of Austin’s Sister Cities. She has volunteered all over the world from Romania to China to Africa. Laura and her husband Fred moved to Austin in 2012. Since then, she has been managing operations and logistics for large facilities and luxury vacation rentals in and around Austin. She is the creator of Ola Lab, handcrafted eco-friendly housewares, and Skip the Hotel, celebrity property management. Laura holds numerous certifications including First Aid, Fire Warden Trainer, OSHA, ADA, and Active Shooter. She is also a graduate of Austin’s Citizen Police Academy. Laura is excited to join half Helen as the Operations Manager chiefly responsible for the service delivery aboard optical Prime. She is currently working toward earning her Commercial Driver’s License so she will be able to move optical Prime in an emergency. hH is looking forward to enjoying Laura’s many talents!

Continued Support from our Funders and More Funding News 

hH recently received continuing support for our pediatric vision care program from Austin Community Foundation, Lola Wright Foundation, and the ECG Foundation. We also received $3,900 from the Pedernales Electric Cooperative’s Power of Change Program to provide each exam room and staff member aboard optical Prime with a computer to input findings, diagnosis and prescription orders. A big thanks to Board Member Megan Odell for identifying the grant opportunity. We are grateful for our funders, old and new!

Now Hiring Seasonal Certified Screeners

hH Seasonal Certified Screeners are responsible for conducting on-site vision and hearing screenings for students in schools within the greater Austin area. half Helen conducts screenings 4-5 days each week with approximately 40 schools scheduled for the fall/winter of the 2021-22 school year. Most screenings will take place from 8:30am – 2:30pm. Screeners set up the screening environment for maximum efficiency and ensure students feel comfortable throughout the screening process. Screeners conduct screenings in accordance with Department of State Health Services (certification training provided and paid for by hH) and half Helen standards. Screeners report to the hH Operations Manager and the Team Leader assigned to the schools in which they screen. For more information or to apply email your resume to Laura Levilly-Deola at laura@halfhelen.org.