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, Nihusa Oviedo.

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 including literacy, technology, physical fitness, social skills development, art and music.

The upcoming 2011 summer program will include judo, rowing, music, personal management, arts and crafts, rock climbing, bowling and swimming lessons. The children will also experience Jungle Island and Miami Seaquarium.

For more information please contact Children's Service Program Coordinator, Nihusa Oviedo.

Summer Activities for STAR 2010 included:

• The opportunity to meet former Miami HEAT player, Tim Hardaway, while learning about water safety at José Martí pool.
• A fun-filled carnival day held at the Miami Lighthouse.
• Children developed gross motor and team building skills while participating in the sport of rowing.
• The STAR summer program concluded with a family day and the unveiling of the “Pillar of Hope”, a one of a kind mosaic created by the children.

The Transition Program (Ages 14 to 22)

Our Transition Program fills the gap for students who are no longer children and not yet adults. Students between the ages of 14 to 22 create this group in which independence and preparedness for adulthood are the focus. Students learn important life skills like home and personal management, 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.

Multiple sessions are offered to students monthly as well as a focused six week summer program from June 20, 2011-July 29, 2011. We have a lot of exciting plans for this year’s summer program! We will be taking trips to a ropes course to encourage team building and trust, going to water parks, taking bus trips to student chosen locations and much more. We also have martial arts instructors come to teach them basic self protection techniques and employees from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue in to speak about possible dangers in the home and the best ways to avoid them. Students were able to learn and bond through these daily activities. We learned from one another that no matter what challenges and difficulties we face, there are others going through the same obstacles and if there is a will there is a way.

If you would like more information or are interested in joining, please contact Abigail Miller, Transition Program Coordinator.

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-Start 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.