Irving Moskowitz

The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation takes great pride in helping those in need especially children. With great respect Dr. Irving and Mrs. Cherna Moskowitz through their foundation have made a $500 donation to the Blind Childrens Center.

The Moskowitz Foundation was established in 1968 by Dr. Moskowitz to help people in need regardless of race, creed, politics or religion. The Foundation is a charitable, non-profit foundation dedicated to improving and enriching the lives of others. Dr. Irving’s wife Cherna has said that she is, “very proud to be the president of a charitable public foundation which has touched and improved the lives of so many people in need.”

The Blind Childrens Center was founded is 1938 to serve children who are blind or visually impaired. The Center serves more than 100 children and their families each year. Most the children who attend the Center live in the greater Los Angeles area and are from families in low income economic circumstances and this is why donations to the Center are crucial. Both the Center and home based services are free of charge to the clients. The Blind Childrens Center is funded entirely by private philanthropic support. No financial support is given from federal, state, or local government agency. The Center’s goal is to provide a comprehensive program of specialized education and training which will optimize the blind or visually impaired child’s development and consequent opportunities to lead a meaningful and productive life. Dr. Moskowitz has dedicated his life to his family and to his philanthropic calling of supporting life-enhancing activities.

The Mission Statement of The Blind Childrens Center is to provide comprehensive early intervention, specialized education and training, in a fully inclusive family oriented environment. They strive to optimize each child’s development and consequent opportunities to lead an independent and productive life. Additionally, to utilize the Center’s professional expertise and experience to serve families and professionals worldwide through support services, educational and training publications and research support.

The Irving Moskowitz Foundation knows that their contribution of will be used to help pay for the supplies need to further the programs provided to the children at the Center. In addition to supplies the donation will go to fund the many programs this great organization provides.

Families are served through both home-based and center-based programs. Some of the program and service the Blind Childrens Center provide are: acquiring skills and building independence, infant services, early intervention and the skill parents need in order to help their child reach developmental goals. Additionally, they offer an educational preschool, first and second grade, therapeutic after school programs and other specialized needs. Some of the therapeutic services include orientation and mobility training, literacy preparedness, Braille training, speech and language, and occupational therapy. The Center also provides community outreach programs. All of these programs would not be possible without donations.

Mrs. Moskowitz understands the importance of giving children the proper tools needed to grow and learn. The mother of eight children, grandmother to forty-two grandchildren and great grandmother and four great-grandchildren, Cherna Moskowitz is always looking to help children and enrich their lives.

On March 11, 2011, one of the worst natural disasters occurred when a 9.0 earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan. The earthquake produced a powerful tsunami which struck many northern coastal communities, particularly the city of Sendai. Although Japan has extensively prepared for a large earthquake, the tsunami was devastating, sweeping away buildings, wiping out coastal villages and affecting thousands of lives. A nuclear power plant was severely damaged by the tsunami and is near the brink of a nuclear meltdown. The radiation contamination has the potential to affect the surrounding areas and the entire region for many years to come. The Japanese government has forced the evacuations of residents living in the communities immediately surrounding the nuclear power plant. Aftershocks continue to hit the area distressing many residents who are displaced and are now homeless. Half a million people have been evacuated to the more than 2,000 shelters which are supported by the Japanese Red Cross.

The Irving Moskowitz Foundation was quick to respond with a donation of $100,000 to the American Red Cross.  The money will go to the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response, specifically the Japanese Red Cross, which is providing direct emergency relief, medical services and emotional counseling to affected communities.

Immediately after the earthquake and tsunami, the Red Cross dispatched relief items from stocks to assist those affected, and has provided 125,500 blankets and 25,000 emergency kits.  Donations will also help with medical and housing costs, shelter relief and other emergency items such as clothing, flashlights, blankets and first aid supplies The Red Cross is increasing its relief operations for survivors in evacuation centers and is planning to provide supplies for 100,000 people. It is also working with local authorities on ways to help people still living in evacuation centers.

Red Cross volunteers and staff in Japan continue to provide health care, emotional support activities and relief items to people affected. The Japanese Red Cross has dozens of medical teams operating in Red Cross hospitals and mobile clinics treating those affected by the disasters.

The American Red Cross is the nation’s premier emergency response organization. It is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. Financial support received in the United States is being directly transferred to Japanese Red Cross to provide an immediate positive impact.

The donation of the Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation will have a lasting positive outcome on many lives that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami. This is not the first time the Moskowitz Foundation has provided financial assistance for humanitarian aid and emergency response.