Greater Boston Aid to the Blind began in 1912 as the Boston Committee for the Blind -- one of a number of Boston charities organized in that period by socially concerned women volunteers. Its purpose then was to mitigate the isolation of elderly blindness by providing social activities. Gradually it undertook broader support services, and grew as an institution focusing on all needs of visually impaired elders. Incorporated in the '40s, in 1970 it purchased and renovated a facility in West Roxbury. Today it is licensed as an Adult Day Health Program by the MA Dept. of Medical Assistance, providing rehabilitation and training to visually impaired older adults, enabling them to remain in their homes taking care of themselves for as long as possible. GBAB fills gaps in government support for vision needs. Moneys available for people who are blind are almost always earmarked for vocational rehabilitation training which is not relevant to most older visually impaired people. In 1998, only $214,000 in federal funds were available for vision-related rehabilitative services for Massachusetts' elderly. Neither Medicare nor Medicaid offer any coverage. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind serves only the legally blind, only 1/4 of the visually-impaired population. In the next 20 years the number of visually-impaired older Americans will more than double. GBAB needs to grow, and you can help.