Dr. Robert A. Rice participated in his first mission trip with Medical Missions International (formerly Medical Group Missions) in 1987. Later, in 1991, after many more mission trips abroad Dr. Rice, Doug Radcliffe and several friends at Covenant Presbyterian Church wanted to do eye care work for the needy on a regular basis And formed a group called I Care San Antonio (ICSA) The purpose of the group was to provide eye care to the low income and homeless families in San Antonio and Mexico.

In 1991, ICSA began a local charity eye clinic for the homeless and uninsured in Bexar County and formally gained non-profit status in 1993. In 2001, we began an outreach eye care program at Travis Park. Recognizing the need for more consistent and additional services, ICSA opened its first vision clinic on Zarzamora Street in 2005 where we were able to acquire the equipment for four exam lanes and saw approximately 10 patients a week.

In 2009, ICSA was invited to become one of the lead agencies at Haven for Hope and relocate the I Care Vision Center. Through the generosity of donations from foundations, local corporations, individuals and churches, ICSA was able move, expand to 8 fully equipped exam lanes and purchase critical equipment and medical devices to better serve our patients.

Since 1992, ICSA has provided vision care to over 20,000 patients including, 1000 surgeries and dispensed over 15,000 pairs of glasses or optical vouchers. We currently hold 14 half-day clinics a month and have 19 volunteer doctors working in our clinic. 1n 2010 ICSA provided 2,036 exams, 1532 diagnostic tests, 95 laser and 53 surgeries, and dispensed 1,100 pairs of glasses to our patients, and the approximate value of this care is $452,507. Though we are located at Haven for Hope, the majority of our patients (75%) are low income families that are living at 150% or below federal poverty guidelines throughout the San Antonio and surrounding area. Approximately 25% of the patients are Haven for Hope residents or homeless individuals.

In addition, to operating the I Care Vision Center, I Care San Antonio also supports a team each year to participate in an international mission trip to support eye care and surgeries in an impoverished country.

Our board members are directly involved in our programs. Doug Radcliffe is President and co-founder of I Care San Antonio. He is a financial planner and has participated in numerous foreign medical missions in charge of eyeglass dispensing. Dr. Sandra Fox, practicing optometrist with UTHSC Lions Low Vision Clinic is the Clinical Director of I Care San Antonio. Though our board is rather small, we have many critical volunteers, especially our doctors who help in various roles in our clinic and make our program possible.

I Care San Antonio
1 Haven for Hope Way, Bldg 1, Ste 200
San Antonio, TX 78207
LBentley@alamovision.org
210-220-2370