SEE Vision Care (SVC) recently had the pleasure of attending the Nonprofit Career Fair hosted by UCSB’s AS (Associated Students) Community Affairs Board (CAB) on Wednesday, April 16, at the Corwin Pavilion. CAB is UCSB’s Volunteer Action Center, committed to connecting students with community service opportunities that enhance classroom learning, promote public service, and support career exploration.
Meet Kelly
UCSB student Kelly Chen, a third-year pharmacology major that has been volunteering with SEE for 2 ½ years, joined SEE’s booth at the event. Kelly started volunteering with SEE during her first year in college after discovering us online. Her passion for vision care deepened when conducting clinical research at an ophthalmology clinic over the summer.
Kelly’s connection to eyecare is personal: “During high school, I wore vision-correcting lenses and have always had to wear glasses or contacts,” she shared. “Contacts are uncomfortable, and I struggle with dry eyes and irritation. Protecting your vision is so crucial in everyday life.”
Volunteering at SEE
Over the years, Kelly has participated in school-based vision screenings, shadowed local SEE Optometrist Dr. Robin Chang, and even observed a surgical procedure. She considers volunteering with SEE to be an exciting and important opportunity:
“Volunteer experience is very valuable, very rewarding, and you feel like you are making an impact,” she said.
Vision Care in Our Community
Kelly also believes that access to eyecare is critical for the community:
“Children don’t always realize when they have vision problems, and SEE helps provide affordable options and education,” she explained.
“Eye exams can be expensive in the U.S., and people might not see it as something they need to do regularly. SEE makes a big difference for those who may not otherwise have access.”
Thank you, Kelly, for your ongoing commitment to SEE’s mission and for being a voice for accessible vision care in your community.
