EyeCare4Kids Arizona is expanding to assist more children in the Valley.

EC4K AZ has hired its first optometrist and two senior staff members to accelerate growth of both the permanent clinic, the Alhambra Vision Clinic, 4432 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale, and the Mobile Vision Clinic.

EyeCare4Kids Arizona has been providing professional eye care to low-income, visually-impaired children and underserved families since opening in the spring of 2021. The nationwide organization has helped more than 400,000 children receive professional eye exams, vision screenings and glasses when needed.

The organization will transition from a completely volunteer-driven organization to a dedicated staff of EC4K AZ employees with the capacity to serve under-resourced children and families across the state. In order to stabilize operations to meet community need, the current volunteer corps will be augmented with hired optometrists and clinic staff, as well as funds to pay for lab services and eyeglass frames.

Dr. Inga Fors has joined EC4K AZ, and in her new role will work with low-income, visually impaired children and underserved families. Services are offered to local schools, Native American reservations and rural communities in the Mobile Vision Clinic to provide professional eye exams, vision screening and glasses.

Cecil Swyers, the long-time volunteer executive director has been hired by EC4K AZ and promoted to senior executive director. Swyers will focus on the operation of the Mobile Vision Clinic, optical equipment, maintaining existing partnerships and vendors, and the future vision of the nonprofit.

Barbara Marsh-Wetherell is the executive director, and will manage the Alhambra Vision Clinic in Glendale, organizational structure and staffing, budget, fundraising, and marketing and education.

“EC4K AZ has been a completely volunteer organization for over the last decade,” Swyers shared in a statement. “Our goal is to grow the number of children we can serve in the Phoenix Valley via our Alhambra Family Resource Center facility and within the state with the Mobile Vision Clinic.”