Braille Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free programs and services to help people with vision loss live active, fulfilling lives, is pleased to announce the appointment of San Diego native Richard Ybarra to the position of San Diego Regional Director.
Ybarra brings more than 25 years of experience working in the nonprofit field in San Diego and other areas across Southern California. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from San Diego State University and his master’s degree in public administration, with a concentration in executive management from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Ybarra has spent most of his distinguished career working in the public affairs arena and has served on a number of high profile community boards and associations, including the University of California, San Diego’s Board of Overseers, the California Affordable Housing Council, and the Red Cross of San Diego among others. His wide-ranging experience in the field also includes organizational management, strategic development, and professional consultation services to organizations throughout the county.
For the past 13 years, Ybarra has served as Senior Consultant for the Ybarra Company, one of the premier Latino public affairs and consulting companies in San Diego. In this role he has provided professional services to a number of clients, including Paradise Valley Hospital, the San Diego Foundation, Children of the Rainbow Childcare Centers and a variety of state and local government agencies.
He previously served for seven years as the Executive Director of Eureka Communities, a local nonprofit whose mission is to empower community-based organizations serving children and families, and has directed the collaboration of more than 100 executive directors of a wide range of children and family service agencies.
“Braille Institute is privileged to have an executive with Richard’s background and strong ties in the community leading our San Diego Center,” said Sally Jameson, vice president of Programs and Services at Braille Institute of America. “His enthusiasm and genuine concern for the community have been a hallmark of his career and he is a welcome addition to our senior leadership team.”
One of Ybarra’s first projects will be hosting a Community Open House on October 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to celebrate the launch of Braille Institute San Diego’s El Poder Sin Ver program.
El Poder Sin Ver is a free program targeted at Latinos living with vision loss due to age-related eye conditions, diabeties or other chronic disease management issues. The program provides free low vision consultations, classes, seminars and training on everything from regaining confidence in the kitchen to getting around town safely, and using the latest technology to make living with low vision easier.
Ybarra will be leading the charge in launching this innovative new program, which began as a pilot at Braille Institute Los Angeles and has provided services to hundreds of Latinos living with sight loss.
The event will be held at Braille Institute San Diego, located at 4555 Executive Drive.