Parkes is 16 years old and from Sandy Springs, Georgia. She started a program to do this called the I Wanna See Project.

Regular eye care includes getting your sight tested and maybe getting glasses or contacts. But it costs a lot of money, making it hard for some to afford it.

So, Parkes’ program helps unhoused people who might not have money for eye exams or glasses. They can get eye care without having to pay.

Parkes has her own experiences with sight problems. These began when she was 7 years old. Parkes remembers problems like not being able to see her friends on the playground. She would bump into things around the house.

Her parents noticed and scheduled her to see an optometrist. The doctor tested her sight and recommended glasses for her.

“The first time I put them on I couldn’t believe how clearly I could see,” Parkes said. “It made a huge difference.”

As Parkes has gotten older, she’s noticed larger problems in the world. She started thinking about inequality. She noticed unfair differences between groups of people.

She thought about people who aren’t able to get eye care. Eye care can cost a lot. Some people don’t have enough money to get their eyes tested or buy glasses. Parkes worried about the eye care for unhoused people, especially children.

She first discussed the idea with her mother, Jennifer Long. Parkes was bothered that some people go without something so important as clear eyesight. Long said her daughter asked thoughtful questions and was focused on the problem.

Parkes has always been one to look out for others. Her mother recalls a story from when Parkes was little and helped her friend who got hurt on the playground. Long remembers how much care she showed to her friend.

Parkes works at a popcorn shop. Recently after work, she noticed an unhoused man on the drive home. She asked her mom to turn the car around so she could stop for him. Parkes gave him some of her tip money and a bag of popcorn.

As Parkes’ ideas about eye care and the unhoused developed, Long stepped in to help her daughter. The two made a plan. They decided to start with a drive to collect prescription glasses. They received 75 pairs by sharing through word-of-mouth and posting online. They also put drop boxes at their church. Next, Parkes is hoping her school will put a drop box in the front office.

Parkes’ ideas were shared on a news show in Atlanta, Georgia. The project received 100 more pairs of glasses after this TV appearance. The story also led them to a partnership with National Vision. It is a company that sells glasses and contacts. The company plans to give away free eyewear and will provide eye screenings at events.

Parkes is already setting long-term plans. She wants the I Wanna See Project to do even more. Some ideas include more events and taking the idea to other states like nearby Tennessee. She is also interested in having teenagers working to showcase the project.

Parkes hopes for a bright future with her nonprofit. But as she is still in high school, she has other things to focus on. She’s busy doing what any other teenager might do. She is part of many clubs at her school like the Black Student Union. She also plans to go to college after she finishes high school.

In her future, Parkes hopes to help people or animals. She’s thinking of becoming a veterinarian or maybe even an ophthalmologist. That is an eye doctor who can treat eye problems and perform operations.

This is Caela

Today she helps people who do not have good eyesight and gets them their prescription of glasses.

Parkes is 16 years old and is from Sandy Springs, Georgia.

Parkes Long experienced her own troubles with eyesight. This began when she was 7 years old.Parkes remembers bumping into things around the house and sometimes not being able to see her friends on the playground.Her parents noticed this and scheduled her to go to the optometrist. Later she got glasses."The first time I couldn't believe how clearly i could see, it made a huge difference." said Parkes.

Parkes works at a popcorn shop and recently after work she saw a unhoused man. She asked her mom to stop the car and turn around so she could stop for him. She gave him some of her tip money and a bag of popcorn. Soon, Long and Parkes joined together and made a drive and collected 75 pairs of glasses.

Part 2 later (I have more to say)