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 Upcoming Events

 
  Young Professionals Networking Event- September 7 at Angelique Euro Café

Share the Vision Luncheon

White Cane Day Walk

 

 
     
 

For Low Vision visitors, choose Low Vision Settings

Miami Lighthouse Transition Program students swim
with dolphins at Miami Seaquarium

   
  Miami Lighthouse Transition Program students swim with dolphins at Miami Seaquarium  

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Transition students, ages 14 to 22, spent the afternoon playing with dolphins at Miami Seaquarium Dolphin Harbor. On July 29, 20 students fed, played with, pet, hugged and posed with bottlenose dolphins. Every student, whether blind or visually impaired, was able to see the dolphins through touch and interaction. The students saw the dolphins through feeling their textured skin, kissing their beaks and playing catch with them. The Miami Lighthouse is grateful for this wonderful experience provided by Andrew and Arthur Hertz.

To view a video taken by the Miami Herald, please click here

To view a video taken by NBC 6, please click here (The video begins after a commercial.).
 

Miami Lighthouse Opens New Low Vision Center and Solutions Store

 

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is delighted to announce the opening of the new Low Vision Center and Solutions Store on the first floor of the building. To learn more about low vision please click here. To learn more about products available at the Solutions Store, please click here.
 

Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho
Visits Miami Lighthouse

   
  Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and President and CEO Virginia Jacko
with Miami Lighthouse Music Program students
 

Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Alberto M. Carvalho, visited the Miami Lighthouse on July 26. He began his tour by visiting one of the three Heiken Children’s Vision Program mobile eye care units that have provided eye exams and glasses to over 40,000 low-income students in Miami-Dade County. Carvalho met with the Transition program students ages 14 to 22 as they introduced themselves and spoke about the schools they attend. He related to the students as he spoke about their Miami-Dade County School experiences, as he had once been principal or vice principal at several of the children’s schools.

He admired many of the ceramic art pieces created by Miami Lighthouse clients in the Social Group Activities (SGA) program. Virginia Jacko and Nelba Gonzalez presented a ceramic lighthouse business card holder, which he gratefully accepted.

Miami Lighthouse Music Program students performed two songs for the Superintendent, one being the students’ favorite song, “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, and the other “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood. The tour concluded with President and CEO Virginia Jacko demonstrating how the blind and visually impaired learn to navigate a computer at Miami Lighthouse.
 

STAR Summer Campers Swim with
the Miami HEAT for HEAT Learn to Swim

   
  Miami District 3 Commissioner Frank Carrollo, Miami Lighthouse Board Director Ramon Casas,
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida South Florida Market President Penny Shaffer,
and HEAT Community Liaison Tim Hardaway.
 
     
   
  STAR summer campers with HEAT Community Liaison Tim Hardaway.  
     
   
  STAR summer campers with Miami Park and Recreation lifeguards.  

On July 19 the Miami HEAT, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, and the American Red Cross teamed up with the Miami Lighthouse to surprise children in the Summer Training and Recreation (STAR) program during their swimming lessons at José Martí Pool as part of the HEAT Learn to Swim community water safety campaign. The STAR program is a six-week summer camp providing services to blind or visually impaired children ages 5- 13. The program offers fun, engaging, and enriching activities including Braille literacy, physical fitness, social skills development, art and music.

HEAT Community Liaison Tim Hardaway, made a surprise visit and joined the children in the water for their afternoon lesson. HEAT/Sun Sports Courtside Reporter, Jason Jackson, gave the children instructions on how to be better swimmers before they jumped in the pool. The HEAT offered $10 off swimming lesson coupons, to be redeemed at select authorized providers of Red Cross swimming lessons, in order to make a noticeable impact in water safety. Campers were encouraged to pass the Learn to Swim message on to their peers.

Guest speakers included City of Miami District 3 Commissioner Frank Carrollo, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida South Florida Market President Penny Shaffer, Miami Lighthouse Board Director Ramon Casas and American Red Cross representative Patrick Beason. Speakers were presented with ceramic lighthouses and thank you cards made by summer campers participating in the Miami Lighthouse STAR program.
 

U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Visits
Miami Lighthouse for “Color of Justice” Program

   
  Miami Lighthouse President and CEO Virginia Jacko with Mr. Benjamin Leon
and U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
 
     
   
  U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Benjamin Leon,
Judge Linda Singer Stein, Ms. Yara Lorenzo, Judge Myriam Lehr,
Mr. Ronnie Fernandez and Judge Lisa S. Walsh
participating in the mock trial with Miami Lighthouse students.
 

On July 12, U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, joined by Mr. Benjamin Leon and members of the National Association of Women Judges, gathered at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to give a hands-on lesson in criminal justice and law careers to twenty-five students in the Miami Lighthouse Transition program. Ros-Lehtinen, along with Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Nushin Sayfie; Miami-Dade County Court Judges Myriam Lehr, Linda Singer Stein and Lisa S. Walsh; Greenberg Traurig shareholder Ronnie Fernandez; Yara Lorenzo, law clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King; and Nneka Utti, a second-year law student at the University of Miami, all served as prosecutors and defense attorneys in the mock trial meant to encourage minority high school students to pursue careers in law.

The National Association of Women Judges “Color of Justice” program had students acting as the jury in the case of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, listening to trial proceedings and then deliberating on the case with their peers to reach a verdict. Association district director Judge Lisa S. Walsh, coordinator of the “Color of Justice” event at Miami Lighthouse stated that the organization encourages students with proficient Braille and computer skills to consider pursuing careers in criminal justice and the law.

One of many programs offered at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Transition program provides students ages 14 to 22 with the experience needed to live independent, successful and fulfilling lives. Multiple sessions are offered to students monthly as well as a focused eight week summer program. The Transition program offers students work experience that suits their individual interests, personal and home management, assistive technology training, orientation and mobility, field trips, and community integration. In addition to developing independence in all areas of life, the Transition program also teaches students how to succeed together and build meaningful relationships with their peers.
 

STAR Summer Campers Enjoy a Carnival Day

 

STAR summer campers enjoying the bounce house

 

Dario Gomez being presented with an award of
appreciation from the summer campers

 

Elsa Dela Cruz, Miami Lighthouse President and CEO Virginia Jacko,
Patricia and Jack Tierney, Ellen and Harvey Amster, Dario Gomez, and Ed Blumenthal

On July 9, campers in the Summer Training and Recreation (STAR) program had a fun-filled Carnival Day complete with a bounce house, train, slides and golf cart rides. The carnival was generously provided by Harvey and Ellen Amster, Elsa Dela Cruz, Dario Gomez and family, and Jack and Patricia Tierney. The summer campers, ages 5 to 13, enjoyed getting their faces painted by a clown and eating unlimited snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn. Miami Lighthouse music program students performed a concert in the sensory garden for all those in attendance followed by a pizza feast.

The STAR program is a six-week summer camp providing services to blind or visually impaired children ages 5- 13. The program offers fun, engaging, and enriching activities including Braille literacy, physical fitness, social skills development, art and music. In addition to the STAR program summer campers, Transition students also enjoyed the day’s carnival activities. The Transition program provides students ages 14 to 22 with the experience needed to live independent, successful and fulfilling lives, while teaching students how to succeed together and build meaningful relationships with their peers. The Transition program offers students work experience that suits their individual interests, personal and home management, assistive technology training, orientation and mobility, field trips, and community integration.
 

“The Pillar of Hope” STAR Summer Camp Art Project

 

This ceramic column was created by students participating in the Miami Lighthouse 2009 Summer Camp Program with the help of visiting artists Carlos Alves, Jane Carroll, and staff artist Nelba Gonzales. During the 2010 summer camp, children will again create individual ceramic pieces which the artists will use to create a second column. These projects are underwritten by Scott Miller and the Opa Locka Hialeah Flea Market.
 

Natalia Sulca, Miami Lighthouse music student, will take the stage to sing on reality TV show “Minuto de fama”
Blind teen a recipient of full tuition scholarship to Berklee College of Music

WHAT: “Minuto de Fama” Spanish television reality show
WHEN: 6-7 p.m. Monday-Friday throughout July 2010
WHERE: Channel 41 América TeVe in Miami; CV-34 in New York City; and CV-24 in Puerto Rico

Natalia Sulca will be in competition starting on Monday, July 5th on “Minuto de fama,” the Spanish television reality show equivalent of American Idol. You can watch each evening from six to seven on Channel 12 if you have Comcast or Channel 41. She needs your votes, and the call in phone number will be on your TV.

If she wins, she will receive $3,000 which she hopes will happen to help with her housing expenses at Berklee School of Music in Boston.

We all are her fans; we count on your vote for Natalia.


 

Miami Lighthouse Honors Board Director Ray Casas and
Client/Volunteer Hugo Meneses
at Leave A Legacy/Donor Next Door Recognition Luncheon

 

Board Director Ramón Casas, CEO Virginia
Jacko, Ali Casas and Otis Wragg

 

Jessica Cerda-Antomarchi, CEO Virginia
Jacko, Hugo Meneses and his wife Myra Diaz

At the Leave A legacy/Donor Next Door Luncheon Miami Lighthouse honored Board Director Ray Casas and Miami Lighthouse client and volunteer Hugo Meneses.

Board Director Casas was recognized for his 18 years of service to the Miami Lighthouse in key leadership positions on the Board of Directors since 1992, including 10 years on the Executive Committee and his current position as Chairman of the External Relations Committee as well as for the pro bono services provided by his public relations firm. Wragg and Casas’ services include drafting and distribution of news releases, media relations and counsel on communications issues. Ray has provided important communications services and counsel throughout the years as a volunteer.

Hugo Meneses, a Miami Lighthouse client since 2003, received recognition as an extraordinary advocate for the blind and visually impaired. He has collaborated actively in raising funds for the Miami Lighthouse’s “White Cane Day” event, and in 2008 he was the individual who obtained the largest number of pledges. Each year he also solicits donations from the community in support of the event. Hugo is a member of the “UCHEU” (Union de Ciegos Hispanos en los Estados Unidos), a non-profit that organizes recreational activities for the blind such as picnics, parties and field trips. Because of his many relationships in the community, Miami Lighthouse clients have meals that are more nutritious.
 

Miami Lighthouse Music Mentor Henry Stone Featured
At Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

Legendary music producer and former Miami Lighthouse client Henry Stone was featured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Wednesday, May 19 at 7 p.m. in the Rock Hall's Foster Theater in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Stone was participating in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's monthly program, "From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits".

"Henry Stone's expertise as a producer and executive is a continuing inspiration to the students of our ground-breaking music program here at Miami Lighthouse," said Virginia A. Jacko, CEO of Miami Lighthouse, where Mr. Stone received vision rehabilitation several years ago. "His mentorship and involvement have awakened our students to the possibilities of careers in music performance and production," CEO Jacko said.

The Henry & Inez Stone Music and Sound Production Studio, the result of a gift from the Mr. and Mrs. Stone's great friend, philanthropist Gloria Martin, is a state-of-the-art music production facility at Miami Lighthouse and home to a one-of-a-kind music program for blind and visually impaired teens to learn the skills they need for mainstream employment in the music professions. The legendary Henry Stone produced for Miami Lighthouse its first two albums Instrumental Magic and Vocal Magic, which are available from the Solutions Store, (305) 856-9100.

Mr. Stone settled in Miami in 1948, established his own independent publishing companies and launched more than a dozen Miami-based record labels, including the famed T.K. label, shaping the disco era of the 1970s and creating what was dubbed "The Miami Sound". The 12” T.K. Disco series earned Stone 23 gold and platinum records in the '70s. KC and the Sunshine Band, on the T.K. label, had six number one pop singles, four number one R&B singles, and gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums.

In 2008 "The Twist", first produced and recorded by Henry Stone, was named the Billboard Hot 100 Era Number 1 Song of All Time.

For more information, please visit www.henrystonemusic.com
 

José Feliciano visits Miami Lighthouse Music Students

  José Feliciano, who has received a total of eight Grammy Awards, delighted blind and sighted students in our Music Inclusion Program when he visited them at the Miami Lighthouse Henry and Inez Stone Music and Sound Studio on March 29th. The Music Inclusion Program is funded by grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Children’s Trust.  
  José Feliciano, who has received a total of eight Grammy Awards, delighted blind and sighted students in our Music Inclusion Program when he visited them at the Miami Lighthouse Henry and Inez Stone Music and Sound Studio on March 29th. The Music Inclusion Program is funded by grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Children’s Trust.  
     


Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision Program Honored by Miami-Dade County School Board

  School Board member Dr. Martin Karp and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho  
  School Board member Dr. Martin Karp (left) and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.  
     

A proclamation recognizing the Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children's Vision Program for distinguished services to county schoolchildren was presented at the April 14th meeting of the Miami-Dade County School Board.

Since its creation in 1992 by the Dade County Optometric Association, the Heiken Program has provided over 40,000 free comprehensive eye examinations and glasses, when prescribed, to low-income M-DCPS students who fail their state-mandated vision screening.

Click here to read the School Board Proclamation.

2010 Music Under the Stars… Bon Appétit Miami

Our third annual fundraiser in support of the Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision program Music Under the Stars… Bon Appétit Miami took place on Wednesday evening, April 28.

We extend appreciation to our generous sponsors: Baptist Health South Florida, Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, LLP, SMF Energy Corporation, Essilor of America, Essilor Laboratories of America, Brown and Brown Insurance, Transitions Optical, Sir Speedy Printing and Marketing Services, New Image Productions, Magnifying Center, and Florida Reading & Vision Technology.

We also thank our participating restaurants and beverage providers Gulf Spirits & Wine Merchants, Gordon Biersch, Casa Larios, Zucchero Ristorante Bistro, C.A. & Company Catering, Starbucks, Chocolate Fashion, Archie’s Gourmet, and crepe station courtesy of Dr. Barry Burak.\

Click here for pictures from the 2010 Music Under the Stars… Bon Appétit Miami.

  Steve Marcus, Pres. & CEO, Health Foundation of S. Florida, Mrs. Ruth Marcus, Virginia Jacko, Pres. & CEO, and William Roy, Past Chairman  
  Steve Marcus, President & CEO, Health Foundation of South Florida, Mrs. Ruth Marcus, Virginia Jacko, President & CEO, and William Roy, Past Chairman.  
     
  Deborah A. Montilla, Dis. Dir. Division of Student Services, M-D County Schools receives award from Dr. Alan Levitt, Heiken Committee Member  
  Deborah A. Montilla, District Director Division of Student Services, Miami-Dade County Public Schools receives award from Dr. Alan Levitt, Heiken Committee Member.  
     
  Guests Dan and Trish Bell, Board Director Pamela Garrison, and  Kirk Landon  
  Guests Dan and Trish Bell, Board Director Pamela Garrison, and Kirk Landon.  
     
  Platinum Sponsor Baptist Health South Florida, George Foyo, Exec. VP & CAO with  Mrs. Foyo, Virginia Jacko, Pres. & CEO, Mrs. & Mr. Wendall Beard  
  Platinum Sponsor Baptist Health South Florida, George Foyo, Executive Vice President & CAO with Mrs. Foyo, Virginia Jacko, President & CEO, Mrs. & Mr. Wendell Beard.  
     

2010 McCrea Volunteer Recognition Luncheon

On April 8th, Miami Lighthouse honored the Board of Directors and its many volunteers for their support and dedication to the organization, giving special recognition to the McCrea Family Foundation for their legacy of volunteerism and generosity. Every year the McCrea Family generously underwrites the annual volunteer recognition event so that those who dedicate themselves to crucial services to the blind may receive their due praise. This year’s Volunteer of the Year Award recipient was Gert Stein. A native of New York, Mr. Stein was first introduced to the Miami Lighthouse by his mother, a former vision rehabilitation client. In January 2009, Mr. Stein followed his mother’s footsteps and became a client at the Miami Lighthouse. He graduated from the program five months later and became a dedicated volunteer primarily in Arts and Crafts and the Solutions Store. He then became an active member of the White Cane Day Committee for which he raised many donations. Our deep appreciation goes to all volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, especially to the McCrea family.

  David McCrea, Luncheon Sponsor  
  David McCrea, Luncheon Sponsor.  
     
  Gert Stein is presented Volunteer of the Year Award by Chairman Owen Freed.  
  Gert Stein is presented Volunteer of the Year Award by Chairman Owen Freed.  
     

Miami Lighthouse Receives Third Consecutive Four-Star Rating
from Charity Navigator

Miami Lighthouse has received its third consecutive 4-star rating, the highest rating possible, from Charity Navigator in recognition of its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances.

The notification letter states: “Only 13% of the charities rated by Charity Navigator have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America."

To view the full press release and the award letter from Charity Navigator click here.
 

22nd Annual In the Company of Women Awards Ceremony

  Miami Lighthouse Board Member State Representative Yolly Roberson with her daughter, Karamie Brutus, and CEO Virginia Jacko at the In the Company of Women Awards Ceremony  
  Miami Lighthouse Board Member State Representative Yolly Roberson (center) with her daughter,
Karamie Brutus, and CEO Virginia Jacko at the In the Company of Women Awards Ceremony
 
     

Congratulations to Board Director State Representative Yolly Roberson who is the recipient of the Miami-Dade County In the Company of Women Award in the category of Outstanding Woman in Government and Law. These awards recognize local women from various disciplines for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the citizens of Miami-Dade County. The award was presented at the 22nd Annual In the Company of Women Awards Ceremony on March 18th.

 

An Incredible True Story with Four Powerful Lessons
for Finding Greater Personal and Professional Satisfaction

To order your copy, please visit www.TheBlindVisionary.com
Click here to read an article by Doug Eadie and Virginia Jacko featured in
the February 2010 edition of Associations Now magazine.

The Blind Visionary was named one of only four Finalists nationally in the Motivational
Category by the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and was featured at BookExpo
America, the largest publishing event in North America. Finalists were recognized at a reception
at the Plaza Hotel in New York City the day before the opening of BookExpo.

Miami Lighthouse CEO Virginia Jacko held a book signing for The Blind Visionary at the Books & Books in Coral Gables on Wednesday evening, March 22, 2010. The event was attended by over 50 interested readers. On April 21, 2010 CEO Jacko was the guest speaker at the Florida Women's Legislative Caucus Luncheon where she spoke about The Blind Visionary and held a book signing.

The Blind Visionary tells the story of how Virginia lost her sight and in the process found a new vision for her life. Virginia turned a potentially devastating condition into an opportunity, going from client to President and CEO of the Lighthouse in just four years. In The Blind Visionary, Virginia shares four key lessons she learned through this journey.

To order a copy of The Blind Visionary, please visit www.TheBlindVisionary.com, call (800) 209-7652, or e-mail info@TheBlindVisionary.com. The book is available in hard cover, soft cover, and as an eBook, and will be available as an audio book. All of Virginia’s royalties will be donated to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind.

Click here to view Virginia Jacko, The Blind Visionary speak to the students at Hillsborough High School.
Click here to view Virginia Jacko, The Blind Visionary speak at the Braille Challenge at Lions Institute, Tampa, FL, Spring 2010.

 

President and CEO Virginia Jacko with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Search and Rescue Canine Team- Florida Task Force 1

President and CEO Virginia Jacko with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Search and
Rescue Canine Team- Florida Task Force 1

Miami Lighthouse Presents Third Annual Dog Walk
To Raise Awareness of Guide Dogs

On Sunday, March 14, 2010, hundreds of patrons participated in the Third Annual Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Dog Walk at the Shops at Midtown Miami. Through the event, nearly $20,000 was raised for the Miami Lighthouse Orientation & Mobility program.

The Miami Lighthouse Orientation & Mobility program prepares visually impaired clients who wish to use a guide dog. Successful completion of training is a prerequisite for attending guide dog school.

We are grateful to sponsors PetSmart, Shops at Midtown Miami, The Standard Chartered Private Bank, Dunkin Donuts, Turner & Associates LLP, Frances T. King Insurance Agency, artist Romero Britto, Susan Conroy Design, PCA Printing, Banfield Pet Hospital, Starbucks, OXXO, Humana, Mac Parking, Azul Optics and New York Life.

Click here for pictures from the 2010 Dog Walk.
 

NEI Award to Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children's Vision Program

The Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision Program received one of the select national 2020 Healthy Vision Community Awards from the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institute of Health. The competitive award will provide funding to educate Miami-Dade County Public Schools parents, counselors and teachers about the importance of early eye care by community optometrists and comprehensive eye examinations for school children who fail their school vision screening. The intended outcome of the award is to improve the return rate of parental consent forms since our network of optometrists must have a signed consent form before providing an eye examination. Last school year, the Miami Lighthouse Heiken Program provided nearly 5,000 needy children with comprehensive eye examinations and glasses when prescribed.
 

Miami Lighthouse Annual Board Meeting

The Board of Directors of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc. held its annual meeting at the Key Biscayne residence of Michael Silva, Esq., on January 27th. Mr. Silva has served in several Board governance roles for Miami Lighthouse, previously as Board Performance Oversight and Monitoring Committee Chairman and as Treasurer.

The fifty attendees at the annual meeting included Board Directors, Honorary Directors, members of the Heiken Children's Vision Program Advisory Committee, the senior leadership team of Miami Lighthouse, and Miami Lighthouse friends including the legendary Henry Stone, a former client and producer of 23 Gold and Platinum albums. Click here to read more.

   
  Michael Silva, Chairman-elect; William Roy, Past Chairman; Virginia Jacko, President & CEO;
John Harriman, Treasurer; Owen Freed, Chairman of the Board
 
     
   
  Legendary Henry Stone and Mrs. Inez Stone with Board Director Gloria Martin  
     

Miami Lighthouse Hosts
Miami Ophthalmological Society December Meeting

On December 10, 2009, the Miami Lighthouse hosted a meeting of the Miami Ophthalmological Society. Attendees were welcomed by CEO Virginia Jacko and Dr. Henry Trattler, Executive Director of the Miami Ophthalmological Society, and heard a testimonial from MLB low vision client Wendell Beard.

   
  CEO Virginia Jacko with Dr. Henry Trattler,
Executive Director of the Miami Ophthalmological Society
 
     

Miami Lighthouse to Expand Music Inclusion Program
with John S. and James L. Knight Foundation G
rant

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will expand its nationally recognized Music Inclusion Program for young adults to include both sighted and blind talented adults, with a $125,000 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The Knight Arts Challenge is a five-year, $40 million initiative to help bring the South Florida community together through the arts.

The Knight Foundation award will be augmented by matching funds from the Children’s Trust and an anonymous philanthropist to double the program’s capacity to generate quality music. The enhanced music production program will enable more talented community vocalists and musicians to perform in the Lighthouse’s state-of-the-art Henry and Inez Stone music production studio.

President and CEO Virginia Jacko stated, “We look forward to the community enjoying beautiful music by both sighted and visually impaired performers working together.” Click here to read the full press release; click here to view a Channel 10 news piece about the Miami Lighthouse Henry and Inez Stone Music and Sound Studio.

 

Miami Lighthouse instructors world-renown classical guitarist and sound engineer
Antonio Cobo, sound engineer Harold Cobo, international pianist Julio Fumero
with guest artists violinist Randolph Margitza and tenor Warren Tesch.

 

CEO Virginia Jacko with Dennis Scholl, Miami Program Director, Knight Foundation

We Did It!

$1.5 million was raised for the Incentive 1:1 Challenge announced one year ago. We are truly grateful to all the donors who participated in the match as their investment in Miami Lighthouse programs was doubled, and this helped us maintain our programs during difficult economic times. Our client participation is growing dramatically. For example, Blind Babies grew from a caseload of seven to a caseload of 98 since inception just six years ago. Our seniors have more than doubled in our SGA program, and the number of low-income schoolchildren needing our free eye care has grown from 2,500 the first year of our program merger in 2007 to almost 5,000 in the last school year. We could not meet this growing demand without our community’s investment. Thank you!
 

Federal and State Legislators Visit the Miami Lighthouse

U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Visits Miami Lighthouse

  Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Visits Miami Lighthouse  
  On July 2nd, U.S. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen visited the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind summer camp where she watched the children performing their daily chores and participated in their camp activities. To read U.S. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen press release, please visit http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=499. To read an article by U.S. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen featured in Diario Las Americas, please click here.  
     

Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation Luncheon

  Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation Luncheon  
  Twenty legislators and their representatives were greeted by Board Director, State Representative Yolly Roberson, Chairman Owen Freed, CEO Virginia Jacko and others as they jointly toured the Miami Lighthouse facility and mobile eye care units. Pictured above: State Representative Richard Steinberg; State Representative Julio Robaina, CEO Virginia Jacko, State Representative Yolly Roberson, Miami Lighthouse Summer Camp participant Anthony Martinson, State Representative Luis Garcia and State Representative Ronald Brisé.  
     

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind received five commendations with its five year
accreditation renewal from
The National Accreditation Council (NAC) for agencies serving people with blindness or
visual impairment.
For more information, click here.

 

 
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  Watch a video of the Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children's Vision Program
Click here to watch a video of the Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children's Vision Program.


Click here to watch NBC 6 News Miami Lighthouse Shines Hope on Blind Babies


Click here to watch Local 10 News Featuring Henry Stone & The Miami Lighthouse Student Musicians

Click here to go to other Miami Lighthouse videos

2007 Annual Report
2008 Annual Report


Spring 2010
Audio Newsletter


Spring 2010 Newsletter

 

CD: It's Not Imposible

CD: A Better Chance
To purchase
“It’s Not Impossible” or “A Better Chance”
call 305-856-9100

CD: Instrumental Magic
To purchase “Instrumental Magic” or “Vocal Magic” please click here

 


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