The mission of the Southern California College of Optometry's (SCCO's) 3rd Annual Shared Visions Gala and V-Awards is supporting children's vision.

It all started as a way to bring interest and color to the walls of the new Eye Care Center at the Southern California College of Optometry. A patient with partial sight, who earned his living as a fashion photographer, suggested an art exhibit, an exhibit that would showcase the works of blind and/or partially-sighted artists. As talks continued to bring this idea to fruition, it became clear that whatever evolved would have an educational component at its core.

Established in 1904, SCCO is a private, non-profit, educational institution dedicated to educating today's minds to provide tomorrow's eye, vision and health care. SCCO grants a four-year, professional degree, Doctor of Optometry (OD) and a Master of Science in Vision Science (MS). The College announced, in August 2011, its plan to start a two-year Master's level Physician Assistant program, the first step in the development of an interprofessional health care campus. The College's superior clinical education program provides patient care experiences in community optometric clinics; exposure to the delivery of optometric care in multi-disciplinary settings; and experiences in practices serving a wide variety of ethnic and socio-economic patient groups. SCCO owns and operates two premier eye and vision care centers – the Eye Care Center located on its campus in Fullerton, CA, and the Optometric Center of Los Angeles located in south-central LA.

The Southern California College of Optometry annually presents the Shared Visions Art Exhibit at the Eye Care Center. This eight-year old, juried art exhibit features artwork from blind and visually impaired artists from around the world. Shared Visions celebrates the artistic achievements of these inspirational artists who continue to create in a visual realm, focusing on their abilities and talents. The Exhibit, one of only four such art exhibitions of its kind in the United States, is open to the public at SCCO's Eye Care Center at 2575 Yorba Linda Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831 and is open during Eye Care Center operational hours for an 11-month period each year.