Children Services

Little Lighthouse

The Little Lighthouse Blind Babies program at Miami Lighthouse gives blind and visually impaired babies and toddlers the opportunity to begin discovering our world. Ordinarily more than 80 percent of early learning is visual, so these children need special attention from birth onward. Miami Lighthouse also provides a supportive and instructional environment for moms and other caregivers.

Direct Intervention Services- Support program that provides in-home intervention for children ages birth to five with a visual impairment that impedes their ability to function independently and learn incidentally through vision. Individual services are identified in each child’s individual service plan resulting from assessment and parent information.

Consultative Services- Support services available to assist families in identifying and/or accessing needed resources to promote growth and development of child and family well-being.

Playgroup- Playgroups are held at the Miami Lighthouse twice a week and designed to provide participating children with further opportunity for skill and social development.

Family Support Groups- Family support groups are available on a monthly basis and cover a variety of topics. The group seeks to provide peer support as well as community resources.

Professional Training- Professional development workshops are available to the community and include information on different eye conditions, identification of possible visual impairments, classroom modification and adaptation, compensatory skill development, and available resources.

For more information please contact Children's Service Program Coordinator, Janet Aguiar.

Click here to view a video about the Blind Babies program

The STAR Summer Program

The Summer Training and Recreation Program (STAR) 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 focusing on literacy, technology, physical fitness, social skills development, art and music.

The 2013 summer program features fun activities like arts and crafts, music, bowling, judo, and personal management. STAR children enjoy field trips to places such as the Everglades and Miami Seaquarium, with other events like Carnival Day and The Little Farm petting zoo coming to us at Miami Lighthouse. This year’s summer program also includes a family day and unveiling of the pillar “The Art of Love”, a one-of-a-kind mosaic created by the summer camp children.

For more information please contact Children's Service Program Coordinator, Janet Aguiar.

Summer Activities for STAR 2012 included:

• A fun-filled carnival day held at the Miami Lighthouse.
• Exciting field trips to places such as the Miami Seaquarium, ice skating rink and water park.
• Playing Goal ball, which helps the children develop gross motor and team building skills.
• Family day and talent show where the children display what they have accomplished during the summer program.

STAR Summer Camp Children Testimonials:

• STAR is really cool. I like it because I get to be with all my friends and learn a lot during summer, from typing to art to music.
  - Marino, age 12
• If I were not doing summer camp I wouldn’t get to ice skate, go to the pool, bowling, to the Everglades and the water park. It helps me do Braille so I can keep learning during the summer and in school. One of my favorite parts is giving speeches and telling people what Miami Lighthouse has done for me.
  - Silvio, age 8
• I like this program because we get to read a lot, go on lots of field trips, use the computers and learn programs like PowerPoint. I make a lot of friends here and get to learn things with them. It’s a lot better than staying at home watching TV during the summer!
  - Madisleny, age 11
• We have a lot of field trips and I love everything about STAR. I like hanging out with my friends during the summer and learning things like Braille with them. This helps me practice Braille so I can use it at school. If I did not have this during the summer I would stay asleep and have nothing else to do.
  - Jayden, age 7
• We learn a lot and have fun activities in STAR. The large print books I get have helped me a lot in school, and I like learning with a lot of friends that I’ve made here during my second year in STAR at Miami Lighthouse.
  - Taknighis, age 12
• I like this better than being home during the summer! I learn a lot of things like using the Talking Typer. Miami Lighthouse has helped me be Student of the Year two years in a row and I’m going to get three this year. Miami Lighthouse has helped me achieve everything and it is the best.
  - Diandre, age 7

The Transition Program (Ages 14 to 22)

Being a teenager can be difficult and trying experience, but being a teenager with a visual impairment presents a whole other set of challenges. Our Transition Program serves students aged 14 to 22 with visual impairments and helps our young adults reach the level of independence that they desire through intensive training. Students learn important life skills like home and personal management, assistive technology, job readiness, orientation and mobility, social skills and community integration. They are able to get in to the kitchen, prepare their own meals using safe techniques, and learn how they can label and organize their own home so they can access things without limitations. Students keep up to date resumes, participate in job interviews and are able to participate in paid work experience through the Miami Lighthouse and the Division of Blind Services. Most importantly they can socialize with one another and have a better understanding of the dynamics of positive and productive relationships.

The Transition Program is year-round. During the school year, the program meets every Saturday and on Miami-Dade Public County Schools Teacher Work Days. In addition to the training listed above, students attend a number of field trips throughout the community, participate in interesting seminars and workshops, and receive training in the latest technology, such as iPads.

During the summer, the program offers a six week summer program from June 24th to August 2nd, 2013. Students attend intensive classes during a 2 week session with their like-minded peers and then participate in a 4-week long paid work experience. Every Tuesday all of the students attend field trips that promote community engagement. At the end of the summer, students in the Transition Program who have demonstrated excellent commitment to the program will be invited on an all-expense paid trip to Universal’s Islands of Adventure Theme Park for special behind-the-scenes tour.

If you would like more information or are interested in joining, please contact Emily Nostro, Transition Program Coordinator at 786-362-7523 or enostro@miamilighthouse.org.

All of these special events were made possible through the help from our wonderful volunteers.

Miami Lighthouse first sought and received NAC accreditation in 1978 and has consistently achieved NAC accreditation to the present time having received seven commendations with its five year accreditation renewal.

Miami Lighthouse ranks among the elite 4% of U.S. nonprofits having earned a 4-star rating for five consecutive years from Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier independent nonprofit evaluator. Receiving such a distinction reflects our sound fiscal management, responsible use of donor dollars, and financial strength.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious South Florida Business Journal 2011 Excellence in Health Care Award in the Community Outreach category.

Miami Lighthouse honored by being named the recipient of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 2010 Non-Profit Business Diamond Award.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2008 Concern Award from Health Foundation of South Florida.

Miami Lighthouse received United Homecare’s 2012 Thelma Gibson Community Service Award at the 18th Annual Claude Pepper Memorial Awards Ceremony.

Miami Lighthouse's Heiken Children's Vision Program received the bronze medal for their service to thousands of under-served children in public schools at the 2012 Miami Today Gold Medal Awards Ceremony.