Krystle Allen, a Newark native, founded Eyes Like Mine Incorporated, a nonprofit organization established in March of 2014. The organization was founded with the help of Naquela Wright and Ihsaan R. Muhammad Esq., to introduce a unique pattern of advocacy for individuals who are vision impaired or blind. Their goal is to empower, enlighten, and innovate communities in New Jersey about vision loss and make resources available for people with vision loss.
Eyes Like Mine shares awareness about the abilities and potential of residents with vision loss through advocacy and community outreach, comprehensive empowerment workshops and awareness events. The nonprofit is rooted in their vision to inspire advocacy by breaking down the societal barriers placed against individuals who are previously or currently experiencing vision loss. The organization's ultimate goal is to create a more accessible society for individuals who are vision impaired and blind so that they can live, learn, and work in equal opportunities.
Newark native, Krystle Allen, is a millennial entrepreneur devoted to the community she serves. She is no stranger to community development, social change, and grassroots efforts. Krystle is also employed with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired under the Department of Human Services in the role of the community outreach specialist. She completed a community training program through LISC – Greater Newark and currently a member of Leadership Newark: Class of 2020. Krystle says, “Despite her vision loss, she has gained a vision to impact one community at a time through her combined advocacy activities”.
COVID-19 has not delayed the work of Eyes Like Mine, Inc. They continue to organize and create different ways to ensure the residents they serve are taken care of. The organization hosts a weekly peer support group call every Sunday at 2pm and an audio book club. While their “Miss Blind Diva” pageant is normally an in-person event, the Eyes Like Mine team made the event happen virtually. At its core, the “Miss Blind Diva” pageant serves to highlight and empower women with vision loss by providing tools to cultivate and encourage their daily life experiences.
Krystle Allen is a recipient of the Newark Peer Fund for her community project to organize and host resource fairs. These resources and opportunities events will provide access to information related to the quality of life through virtual and in-person sessions, exhibiting adaptive technology for residents with disabilities and seniors. If you would like to support the continued work of Krystle and her team, click here. Follow Eyes Like Mine, Inc. by visiting their website www.eyeslikemine.org, Instagram or Facebook.
Click above to hear Krystle Allen share about Eyes Like Mine, Inc.