Conklin Davis Center celebrates $1 million in state appropriations for residential program, HVAC repairs

The Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired serves over 500 visually impaired people every year at its campus at 405 White St. in Daytona Beach.

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The Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired celebrated having received $1 million in state funds with a ceremonial check presentation on Tuesday, July 30.

The nonprofit CDCVI, which serves over 500 visually impaired people every year at its campus at 405 White St. in Daytona Beach, was successful in obtaining $500,000 in funding for its new residential center and $500,000 to repair and upgrade its existing 27-year-old HVAC system. The appropriations request was co-sponsored by Florida Rep. Chase Tramont and Florida State Sen. Tom Wright, the latter of whom attended the presentation.

"The Conklin Davis Center is more than just a building," Wright said. "It is a place of hope, learning and transformation. This investment will have a lasting impact, benefitting not only the current residents and staff, but also thousands of visually impaired individuals who will come through these doors in the future."

Julie Watts, Tramont's district aide, said that, although they were gathered to recognize the financial contribution, it also meant more than that.

"It's also a celebration of those dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive, to feel valued and to have purpose," Watts said. "The Conklin Davis Center enriches the lives of not only those who are served, but for those who are serving."

In 2021, the CDCVI was born as a result of a merger between the Conklin Center and the Center for the Visually Impaired, which was founded in Ormond Beach in 1988. 

"The Conklin Davis Center is more than just a building. It is a place of hope, learning and transformation. This investment will have a lasting impact, benefitting not only the current residents and staff, but also thousands of visually impaired individuals who will come through these doors in the future." — SEN. TOM WRIGHT

In addition to the center, the 42-acre campus houses the Florida Division of Blind Services District Office, the State Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, and the largest braille and "Talking Book Library" in the world, according to its website. The center's 27,000-square-foot facility sits on 8 acres of the campus, and has 16 dorms, three apartments, a commercial kitchen, as well as classrooms, offices, a nature trail, greenhouses and gardens.

Last year, the CDCVI unveiled its plans to expand its campus for a $4 million wellness center where clients could enjoy fitness, health, music, art and other programs. 

CDCVI President and CEO Ronee David said she and the board worked all year with Tramont and Wright for the state appropriations, which were desperately needed — especially the funds for the HVAC upgrade.

Several times, as hurricanes approached, the center had to send its residential clients home because the building's air conditioning was not functioning. She also recognized Volusia County Government for its $141,000 contribution to purchase a generator for the center. The CDCVI has also been in talks with the county to start a horticulture program to grow sea oats to help with dune recovery.

"It takes the whole community to help keep this organization going and the valuable work that we're doing," David said.

Kathy Davis, who founded the Center for the Visually Impaired when she learned she would lose her vision, said one cannot imagine how much fundraising goes into an organization as unique as the CDCVI. 

"It's been a big leap, and we've gone from a little organization to a great, big facility with incredible programs," Davis said.

 

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