Volunteer Spotlight: Heath Chancey
As part of the ongoing Volunteer Spotlight series, we checked in with volunteer Heath Chancey on the choice to donate time and energy to Alphapointe.
Q&A with Heath
Tell us about you…
I was born and raised in Alabama and moved to Kansas City in 2001. I have worked for IMA Financial Group for three years and have been in the I.T. field for 10 years. I co-chair our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee in our KC office. I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and believe inclusion for all is a necessity for a successful business.
Why do you volunteer at Alphapointe?
I volunteered at the Summer Celebration in August 2021 for the first time and had so much fun! I met so many nice people and learned so much. I believe the work that Alphapointe is doing is so unique, amazing, and necessary. I want to contribute to it as much as I can.
What does volunteering at Alphapointe do for you?
There is always such positive energy at their events, it is hard to turn any volunteer opportunity down. It is not only about the great things that Alphapointe does, but it also has been a learning experience. I didn’t have many tools on how to communicate with people who have vision loss. I have learned something new every time and it makes me strive to become a better, more inclusive person.
What do you want to share with others about Alphapointe?
Everyone that I have met and worked with at Alphapointe are genuinely wonderful people who truly care and are passionate about the work that they are doing.
Why should others get engaged with Alphapointe?
Alphapointe is an amazing organization doing amazing things and getting involved with an organization who contributes so much to the community always feels good.
What is something you think everyone should know about Alphapointe?
The positive impact that Alphapointe is making, not only internally, but in the community is game changing. The fact that they provide amazing job and real-life skills for people with vision loss is invaluable.
What’s the most important thing Alphapointe does from your perspective?
I would have to say, all of the above. All of the work they do is so important, and they have really done a great job setting their priorities.
If there’s one public policy change you could make to help people with low vision, what would it be?
There are already so many great technological advancements that can assist people with vision loss. I would love to see those tools be more readily available for people in the workplace as well as in public establishments.
