Legislative Affairs

2012 City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado visits Miami Lighthouse for the Blind

City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado toured Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility on July 13th. He visited the children in the Summer Training and Recreation (STAR) and Transition summer camp programs, toured the Better Chance Music Production Program™ and spoke with clients in the Social Group Activities area. “It was quite an experience to tour Miami Lighthouse’s programs, and I congratulate you all for the work you are doing for our blind and visually impaired residents.” We thank Mayor Regalado for spending time with us.

Mayor Regalado feels Braille typed by STAR summer camp program student		Mayor Regalado speaks with clients in Social Group Activities

2012 Virginia Jacko and Cameron Sisser meet Governor Rick Scott at Miami-Dade Days World Famous Paella Fest

2012 Senator Gwen Margolis presents Miami Lighthouse for the Blind a Senate resolution recognizing 80 years of service to the Miami-Dade community

On January 17th 2012 Senator Gwen Margolis presented Virginia Jacko, and Kieran, of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind with a Senate resolution recognizing Miami Lighthouse on 80 years of the service to the Miami-Dade community. You can view the entire resolution by clicking here.

2011 Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) host the “Miami Lighthouse Legislative Luncheon” Underwritten by Flagler Development Company

The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse held their Legislative Luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Monday, June 27th. The event was generously underwritten by Flagler Development Company. Sixteen elected officials were represented at the luncheon including three State Senators, four State Representatives and two U.S. Congressional aides. Sixty young professionals gathered to enjoy the complimentary luncheon and networking which were followed by a tour of the Miami Lighthouse.

The event began with elected officials assembled to view the unveiling of a plaque commemorating legislative support for Miami Lighthouse programs. Board member Agustin Arellano Jr. then welcomed attendees to the luncheon and introduced Natalia Sulca, assistant instructor in the acclaimed Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™, who delighted guests with an inspiring vocal performance of “God Bless the U.S.A.”

Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of Miami Lighthouse, spoke to the group about the inspiring mission of Miami Lighthouse and described the ways in which the Florida Legislature helps Miami Lighthouse transform the lives of the blind and visually impaired, from babies to seniors. Elected officials and young professionals in attendance were treated to a personal tour of Miami Lighthouse which included one of our Heiken mobile eye care units, Low Vision Center and Solutions Store, STAR and Transition summer camp programs and the Better Chance Music Production Program™, programs in which 125 schoolchildren are enrolled this summer. Attendees enjoyed seeing the fun and engaging activities children participate in on a daily basis here at Miami Lighthouse. We thank our sponsor, Flagler Development Company, elected officials, aides and all the young professionals who attended the event.

Florida Senators and Representatives received plaques in recognition of their support of Miami Lighthouse programs (from left to right) Representative Barbara Watson, Senator Gwen Margolis, Senator Nan Rich, CEO Virginia Jacko, Senator Oscar Braynon, Representative Cynthia Stafford, Representative Jose Felix Diaz, Doral Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez and Representative Dwight Bullard.
Board Director Gloria Martin with CEO Virginia Jacko and Representative Jose Felix Diaz.		Board Director Ray Casas unveils the plaque with (from left to right) Board Director Gloria Martin, CEO Virginia Jacko, Senator Nan Rich, Representative Jose Felix Diaz and Senator Oscar Braynon.
Senator Nan Rich visits the STAR summer camp program Braille literacy class.		Senator Gwen Margolis tours the Heiken mobile eye care unit with Miami Lighthouse staff member Brenda Williamson and Maria Delgado, aide to Miami-Dade County School board member Dr. Martin Karp.
Phil Reagan, Patricia Vila Wright and YPOL Committee Member Pablo Gonzalez.		Board Director Agustin Arellano Jr., Carey Kane, Rob Bowlby and Board Director Kent Benedict.
Legislative aides accept recognition plaques (from left to right) Mary Cowart aide to Representative Cynthia Stafford, Ludie Benel intern to Representative Dwight Bullard, Julie Fishman aide to Senator Nan Rich, Lissette Vasquez aide to Senator Anitere Flores, CEO Virginia Jacko, Raquel Zuniga aide to Representative Ana Rivas Logan, George Fossett aide to Representative Matt Hudson, Holly Merrill Raschein aide to Representative Ron Saunders, Matt Monica aide to Representative Luis Garcia, Tore Ciolino aide to Representative Franklin Sands, Harriet Carter Community Liaison to U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Laurie Flink Deputy District Director to U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz..
Attendees enjoy “God Bless the U.S.A” sung by Natalia Sulca.

2011 Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime visits Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2, visited Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility on June 22nd. He toured one of the Heiken mobile eye care units and heard a performance by students in the Better Chance Music Production Program™. “As a musician, it was a real treat to hear the students in the Miami Lighthouse music program perform,” said Commissioner Monestime. We thank Commissioner Monestime for taking time to tour our facility.

Commissioner Jean Monestime with Better Chance Music Production Program™ students and instructors		Commissioner Monestime with music program assistant instructor Natalia Sulca
Virginia Jacko, CEO of Miami Lighthouse, gives a tour of the Heiken mobile eye care unit to Commissioner Monestime		Commissioner Monestime and Virginia enjoy the musical performance by students in our Better Chance Music Production Program™

2011 Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell visits Miami Lighthouse for the Blind

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell, District 8, visited Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility on June 15th. She visited one of the Heiken mobile eye care units, children in the STAR summer camp program, and heard a performance by students in the Better Chance Music Production Program™. “I was delighted to have had the opportunity to tour the Miami Lighthouse and witness firsthand the remarkable programs they offer our community.” We thank Commissioner Bell for taking time to tour our facility.

Commissioner Lynda Bell tours Heiken mobile unit with Dr. Bryan Wolynski		Commissioner Bell visits students in the Better Chance Music Production Program™
Commissioner Bell is shown a Braille letter		Child in the STAR Summer Program shows Commissioner Bell a Father’s Day card

2011 Florida Senators and Representatives Visit the
Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program Serving Children throughout the State

Florida State Senators, Representatives and their aides visited schools located in their districts to see The Miami Lighthouse Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program at work. The Florida Heiken mobile eye care unit travelled across the State from Monroe to Pinellas to Gadsden Counties. The Florida Heiken Program will ensure that schoolchildren in Florida's public schools who have no other access to eye care will no longer have to struggle because of poor vision. As the successful bidder in response to a Department of Health RFP, the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program was awarded a contract in 2011 to provide free comprehensive eye examinations and eyeglasses to financially disadvantaged schoolchildren who had no other source for vision care. The contract covers 62 Florida counties (from which Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties are excluded).

	Dr. Bryan Wolynski and Senator Arthenia Joyner during her visit to West Tampa Elementary
	Dr. Bryan Wolynski, Representative Jeff Brandes, Nurse Loraine Leger, RN and Rey Travieso at Shore Acres Elementary in Pinellas County
	Representative Gwyn Clarke-Reed, Cornell Morgan RN Vision Consultant, Sonja Braziel Principal of Pompano Beach Middle School and Dr. Adam Perlman
	Representative Janet Cruz and Dr. Bryan Wolynski inside Heiken mobile unit at Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary
	Carmen Arguijo and Holly Merrill Raschein at Key Largo K-8 Center

“It was awesome, such a fabulous program. I took some pictures with Carmen and Dr. Ramirez and got to sit in on 4 or 5 screenings and helped kids pick out their new glasses. Such a rewarding way to start the week. It was sad to hear some of their stories. Thank you for the invite!”
     - Holly Merrill Raschein Legislative Aide to Representative Ron Saunders

“Thank you so much for inviting us. I was very impressed with the screenings that were given. Dr. Wolynski was great and works so well with the children. I have relayed my experience to the Representative. Thank you again.”
     - Kim Hamilton Legislative Aide to Representative Denise Grimsley
 

2011 Representative Matt Hudson (R- Naples) visited
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility

Representative Matt Hudson (R- Naples), chair of healthcare appropriations in the Florida House visited Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility on May 17th. He visited with mothers and blind babies, social group activity clients, computer and technology training students and got a performance by students in the Better Chance Music Production Program™. Representative Hudson stated “I was humbled to see the hard work and dedication of so many people committed to enriching the lives of the visually impaired.” We thank Representative Hudson for his time to tour our facility.

	Representative Hudson, Virginia Jacko and students of the Better Chance Music Production Program™
	Representative Hudson, Nelba Gonzalez and social group activities clients
	Representative Hudson and Virginia Jacko
	Representative Hudson visits with mothers and blind babies

2011 State Representative Matt Hudson Visits Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program Serving Mike Davis Elementary

Representative Matt Hudson (R- Naples), chair of healthcare appropriations in the Florida House, visited Mike Davis Elementary on Friday, February 25th to see The Miami Lighthouse Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program at work. The Florida Heiken mobile eye care unit travelled to Collier County where 39 students were examined and prescription glasses will be provided at no cost to 33 of the students. The Florida Heiken Program will ensure that schoolchildren in Florida's public schools who have no other access to eye care will no longer have to struggle because of poor vision. As the successful bidder in response to a Department of Health RFP, the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program was awarded a contract in 2011 to provide free comprehensive eye examinations and eyeglasses to financially disadvantaged schoolchildren who had no other source for vision care. The contract covers 62 Florida counties (from which Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties are excluded).

Dr. Perlman at work with students		Dr. Wolynski shows Representative Hudson the different frames offered to the students
Mike Davis Elementary		Principal of Mike Davis Elementary Bob Spano, Manager Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program Dr. Bryan Wolynski and Representative Matt Hudson

2011 Miami Lighthouse visits Tallahassee to gain support for its
Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program

Virginia Jacko, Carol Brady-Simmons and Cameron Sisser traveled to Tallahassee on February 7th and 8th to visit legislators about the Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program. In addition to spreading the word about the fact that the program will serve 10,000 underprivileged students this year alone, the Miami Lighthouse team also attended the Fifth Annual Florida Vision Summit hosted by the Vision Caucus of The Florida Legislature and The Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind.

Health Care Appropriations Chair, Representative Matt Hudson and Virginia		Health Care Appropriations Vice-Chair, Representative Kenneth Roberson and Virginia
Senator Steve Oelrich and Virginia		Miami-Dade Delegation Member, Representative Frank Artiles and Virginia
Senator Eleanor Sobel and Virginia		Miami-Dade Delegation Member, Representative Carlos Trujillo and Virginia

2010 Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Visits,
Speaks to U.S. House of Representatives about Miami Lighthouse

	CEO Virginia Jacko and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen at Miami Lighthouse
	Miami Lighthouse President and CEO Virginia Jacko with Mr. Benjamin Leon and U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen visited Miami Lighthouse during our summer campus in both 2009 and 2010. She is a co-chair and founding member of the Congressional Vision Caucus, supports better access to vision care for families, and supported HR 507, Vision Care for Kids Act, which was adopted in the House of Representatives to award grants to states to provide comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist for children and provide treatment or services to correct vision problems of children.

On September 14, 2010 Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen spoke to the U.S. House of Representatives about the services and programs provided by the Miami Lighthouse. Click here to go to Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen’s YouTube link to see a video of the CSPAN broadcast of her speech.

On July 12, Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, joined by Mr. Benjamin Leon and members of the National Association of Women Judges, gathered to give a hands-on lesson in criminal justice and law careers to twenty-five students in the 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 “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 stated that the organization encourages students with proficient Braille and computer skills to consider pursuing careers in criminal justice and the law.

Click here to see the article U.S. Congressswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen wrote for Diario Las Americas on August 1, 2010.

2010 Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision Program Honored by Miami-Dade County School Board

	School Board member Dr. Martin Karp, Miami Lighthouse CEO Virginia Jacko, 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.

	2009 Federal and State Legislators Visit the Miami Lighthouse
	U.S. 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.

2008 Miami-Dade Public Library System,
Talking Books Service Honored by the Library of Congress

As a key community partner with the Miami-Dade Public Library System, Talking Books Service, Miami Lighthouse was honored to be invited to the July 21st County Commission meeting with Mayor Carlos Alvarez & Library Director Raymond Santiago at which the Talking Book Service was recognized by the Library of Congress as the 2008 Network Subregional Library of the Year based upon collaboration with Miami Lighthouse.

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.