PROGRAMS
- On this page:
- Nutrition
- Fitness
- Mental/Therapeutic
- Community
At Hearts For Sight, our core focus is Health & Wellness and Community Engagement. We do this by creating an environment that fosters a sense of belonging that helps to improve feelings of empowerment for the people we are here to serve.
Learn more about our Core Programs by clicking on the links below:
NUTRITION COUNSELING SERVICES
Learn more about our NUTRITION COUNSELING SERVICES:
As a health-conscious society, we understand that our health and wellness is imperative to any success we want to achieve in our future.
Most are aware of the side effects generated from living an unhealthy lifestyle compounded with minimal physical exercise. Yet, in an age where we have access to advanced technology and access to information, we find ourselves vulnerable to diseases and other health deficiencies. For vulnerable communities, this is due in part to lack of knowledge and awareness on how our body operates and barriers related to accessibility. What the body needs to thrive daily for us to avoid many illnesses is a consistent routine which encompasses exercise and a healthy diet as foundational pillars for a wholesome life.
Hearts for Sight Foundation offers a 36-week program involving the practice of structural health and wellness for the blind and visually impaired community. Vision loss can make it difficult for some individuals to prepare meals within their own homes, thus resulting in poor dietary habits. The program offers VIP the opportunity to learn how to prepare and cook nutritious meals that are personalized. Spending money on the food prescribed by Hearts for Sight Nutrition Program, as opposed to fast food, will not only save individual’s money, but will also provide the health and nutrition VIPs need to thrive.
HFS Nutrition Program is designed to make nutrition easier to obtain. The program provides education concerning what foods cause harm to the body as well as helps VIPs identifying appropriate portion sizes and nutritional values. The program also highlights the nutritional benefits of macro and micro-nutrients, and, what we call “Super Foods.”
The program is a 36-week commitment simply because it takes time to adapt to new healthier ways of living. After 36-weeks of program participation, participants will have a much better understanding of the connections to nutrition and how the body optimally functions. Participants will leave the program with more confidence and awareness of the im sustainable nutrition as well as that “Yes I can” attitude that we need amongst our community.
In partnership with Everytable, the Hearts for Sight Foundation will provide various workshops throughout the participants’ experience. The workshops will be designed to help our participants prepare for life after HFS and Everytable. We want to encourage our members to maintain their new lifestyle after their goals have been met. To accomplish this, Hearts for Sight provides nutrition-based seminars in the following areas but will not be limited to:
- Meal Recognition seminars
- Kitchen Safety seminars
- Balanced Nutrition and Portion Size seminars
- Meal Preparation seminars
- Cooking seminars
For more information regarding sign up, please contact: info@heartsforsightfoundation.org
(Client and membership space may be limited)
ADAPTIVE FITNESS SERVICES
Learn more about our ADAPTIVE FITNESS SERVICES:
Daily exercise is essential to our well-being, particularly for persons with vision impairment and for those at risk of developing type II diabetes. The Hearts for Sight Foundation provides special exercises that a person with low vision may perform safely and independently. We have certified personal trainers who are regularly available to foster a safe and inclusive environment for anyone who is blind or visually impaired. We also provide special exercises for those with diabetes, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Hearts for Sight Foundation’s Adaptive Fitness Program provides:
- Open gym access for members who identify as a person with a visual impairment.
- Access to group workout activities (i.e., Dance, Zumba, Yoga).
- Personalized exercises to accommodate individual ability.
- Personal one on one training with CPT, fitness education, and motivation.
- Meal plans and adaptive workout packet developed by certified professionals.
- Progress reports, including before and after reports.
- Feedback surveys
- Participation in HFS incentive program.
For more information regarding sign up, please contact: info@heartsforsightfoundation.org
(Client and membership space may be limited)
BEGINNER CORE FITNESS
Are you eager to achieve your fitness goals, whether it’s losing weight, building strength, enhancing balance, or simply feel better through a regular exercise practice? if you want a foundation for any of these and more, look no further.! Hearts for Sight is thrilled to introduce our Beginners Core Fitness Class.
While this class caters to beginners, expect engaging workouts designed to challenge you at a manageable intensity. With motivation from both your peers and coach, you’ll stay on track toward your fitness goals.
Beginner Core Fitness Class: Learn more
Cardio Resistance Class
Do you have goals to lose weight, gain strength, improve your balance or simply feel better? Join Hearts for Sight’s Cardio Resistance Class with Joseph Burton, Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, and Functional Nutrition Specialist Coach!
This class is specifically adapted to meet the needs of people living with visual impairments, but all friends are welcome to join.
Cardio Resistance Class: Learn more
MENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES
Hearts for Sight offers several therapeutic service formats to assist with psychological well-being: Peer Support and Wellness groups, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy groups and individual therapy.
Learn more about our MENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES:
General Support Groups
Hearts for Sight recently introduced our Peer Support and Wellness Group for participants 18 years and up. The group is designed to provide the visually impaired community a safe and comfortable place to meet, to share, and to discuss issues, concerns, and challenges related to living as a visually impaired person (VIP). The support group provides a space to highlight achievements, successes, and wins! This is a space where VIP adults can conveniently get together to share challenges in life as well as strategies utilized for coping and/or adjusting to living with a visual impairment.
- Groups are offered Weekdays (Every Monday from 5:30pm until 7:00pm); (Every Wednesday 5:30pm until 7:00pm).
- Support Group meeting length is 1.5 hours.
- Hearts for Sight groups sessions are facilitated by Dr. Mojiana Moghadam, LPCC, Christy Crespin LCSW and Joseph Burton ACSW and under the support and supervision of Michelle Godwin (LCSW).
For more information or to reserve a spot in one of the groups, please reach out to our team by emailing info@heartsforsightfoundation.org or calling 818-253-4233 .
ACT Support Groups
ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) is offered to HFS members who have previously participated in general support groups. ACT therapy group helps build a coping skills toolbox. ACT is a revolutionary new approach to behavior modification that combines cognitive behavioral technique together with mindfulness exercises to build a more satisfying and meaningful life. ACT tools can help get you through anxiety, depression, and insecurities to help you live more fully in the present, clearing the way for smoother movement towards your goals and priorities.
This special group meets every Monday at 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm for 10 weeks.
Individual Therapy
Hearts For Sight invites adults aged 18 and older to enroll in our individual therapy program, which spans approximately 12 weeks. We strive to offer these services at an affordable cost, providing various payment options to ensure accessibility. Our primary goal is to deliver high-quality services while keeping costs low, ensuring that financial constraints or lack of insurance do not hinder anyone from accessing mental health support.
If you are interested in our individual therapy program, please reach out to our team by emailing info@heartsforsightfoundation.org, or by calling 818-253-4233 . Our staff will guide you through the registration and intake process.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP
Are you a friend or family member of someone who is blind or visually impaired?
We invite you to participate in our transformative Psycho-educational Group, specifically crafted to support sighted community members. This group aims to guide you through the adjustments required in life when supporting a loved one with vision loss. Gain valuable tools to manage the unique challenges you face and enhance the dynamics within your relationship. Join us and empower yourself with knowledge and skills that make a difference.
HFS Community Engagement
Learn more about our COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Bike Rides
Enjoy the beautiful atmosphere that Lake Balboa Park and El Dorado Park offer or enjoy the coastal breeze down the Long Beach Shoreline as HFS partners with Wheel Fun to make bike riding accessible to the blind and visually impaired community!
View Bike Ride Events
Adaptive Yoga
Please join Adrienne Johnson as she partners with Hearts for Sight Foundation in her favorite space: teaching, encouraging, inspiring, and transformational growth. Adrienne specializes in therapeutic massage and mindful, functional movement to promote a healthy nervous system and longevity for the body and mind, so you can continue to do the things you love and live your life with less pain. Adrienne’s practice spans over 10 years. Her goal is to help you create a more kind, loving conversation between you and your body.
View Adaptive Yoga Events
Nature Walks
Explore the great outdoors with Hearts for Sight. HFS’ Nature Walks provide the blind and VI the opportunity to explore Los Angeles’ most popular trails and landscapes. Sighted support volunteers will join you and guide you every step of the way. Sign up for our next adventure!
View Nature Walk Events