A Year Worth Celebrating — A Letter to Our Community
By Andrew O’Dell, Chief Executive Officer
As we mark our 75th anniversary, I find myself filled with gratitude, not just for how far we have come, but for the incredible community that makes this work possible every single day.
Our 2025 Impact Report is here, and the numbers tell a story that I am proud to share with you.
This past year, 214 children received individualized Early Intervention support, with 92% of families reporting positive changes in their child’s development. These are the earliest, most critical years of a child’s life, and being there for families during that time is at the very heart of who we are.
Through our GRADS program, 36 school-age children logged 1,450 hours of programming — building friendships, gaining independence, and discovering just how much they are capable of. And through our Vision Screening Program, 7,126 children received free screenings, with 707 referred to an eye doctor for follow-up care. Early detection truly changes everything.
Perhaps what moves me most is the thread that runs through all of it, family. Our Family Support services guided 75 families through large group events, seasonal celebrations, and community connections, logging 219 hours of meaningful time together because we know that when families are supported, children thrive.
As I shared in this year’s report, every service delivered, every milestone reached, and every barrier reduced is the direct result of a community that understands the power of early intervention, education, and sustained support. We do not do this alone, and we never have.
As we celebrate 75 years of service, we do so with optimism, momentum, and an unwavering focus on what matters most: meaningful outcomes for the children and families we serve. Thank you for being part of this legacy, and for helping shape what the next 75 years will make possible.
Read the full Fiscal Year 2025 Impact Report here: Your Impact — Progress through Partnerships
Andrew O’Dell is the Chief Executive Officer of DGCKids, an organization dedicated to supporting children with visual impairments and their families in the greater St. Louis area since 1951.