June 24 thru August 2, 2013
Transition and Music Summer Camp
Transition (ages 14 – 22) from June 24th to August 2nd Click
here for more information.
Music (ages 14 – 22) from June 17th to August 2nd Click here for more information.
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
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.
José Feliciano accepts high school diploma and speaks about Braille literacy at the Miami Lighthouse 80th Anniversary Ruby Jubilee Dinner Concert
The Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Co-Chair, Congressional Vision Caucus
Mistress of Ceremonies
Miami Lighthouse 80th Anniversary Ruby Jubilee Dinner Concert
Speaks about Miami Lighthouse programs
The Blind Visionary All of
Virginia’s royalties and part of the publisher’s
royalty income will be donated to blind services at
the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
Click to read
Ability Magazine
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.