Chase Stokes is helping New York City students see and feel their best.
The Outer Banks star joined Zenni Optical and nonprofit organization Bring Change to Mind at Manhattan Early College Academy on Oct. 7 to highlight the connection between vision care and mental well-being.
The organizations screened nearly 300 students during the school visit. More than half of the teenagers reportedly needed new or updated vision prescriptions.
Students received free screenings and eye exams along with prescription eyewear from the Zenni x Chase Stokes collection. Clinical services were provided by Optical Academy.
“This new collection really feels like me,” Stokes said in a statement. “I wanted to capture not just how the frames look, but how they can make you feel. Eyewear can really shift your energy, your mood, and the way you present yourself, so that was important to showcase with these frames. I was involved at every step, and this collection is truly a reflection of where I’m at in life and style.”
The actor also participated in a meet-and-greet and personally helped distribute eyewear to students. Members of the school’s Bring Change to Mind Club led an activity and group conversation addressing mental health and wellness.
“I’m proud to partner with Zenni and Bring Change to Mind to bring these resources to students in New York City,” Stokes continued. “Hopefully, this experience reminds young people that taking care of themselves can start with something as simple and important as making sure they can see clearly and having an open conversation about how they’re feeling.”
The initiative took place ahead of World Vision Day on Oct. 8 and World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10.
Bring Change to Mind was co-founded by actress Glenn Close in 2010 to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Its student-led clubs encourage young people to discuss their emotional health openly and build more supportive school communities.
For the actor and the participating organizations, the event carried a straightforward message: physical and mental wellness should be treated as connected parts of the same conversation.
