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 Upcoming Events

 
 

Comedy Night in the Garden –
February 1, 2011

McCrea Volunteer Luncheon –
February 14, 2011

Walk, Waggle and Stroll –
March 6, 2011

Music Under the Stars:
Bon Appetit Miami –
April 27, 2011

YPOL Legislative Luncheon –
June 27, 2011

White Cane Day –
October 14, 2011

80th Anniversary
Ruby Jubilee –
November 12, 2011

 

 
     
 


Young Professionals of the Lighthouse
Visionaries of Tomorrow

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse was established in 2003 to target young professionals between 25-40 years. This volunteer group helps raise awareness and funds through various social activities in the community. YPOL hosts social gatherings throughout the year for networking and raising funds for special Miami Lighthouse needs. Check out the Calendar of Events for more information on upcoming events. To learn more about YPOL membership, please click here, or contact us at ypol@miamilighthouse.org or 786-362-7514.

 

YPOL co-chairs Kent Benedict and Ana Maria Rodriguez

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse Committee Members
Agustin Arellano, Jr., Co-Chair
Kent Benedict, Co-Chair
Ana Maria Rodriguez, Co-Chair
Otto Foerster
Humberto Gonzalez, Jr.

 

YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr.

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse Members
Josh Gibbons
Michael Jimenez
Philip Morrissey
Rebecca Osorio
Rosa Rivera
Daniel Sanchez
Andrew Trench

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) Luncheon Underwritten
by Baptist Health South Florida

President and CEO Virginia Jacko introducing YPOL visitors
to the children in the STAR summer program

     
 
Young professionals taking a tour of the new Low
Vision Center and Solutions Store led by President
and CEO Virginia Jacko.
  Cameron Sisser, Legislative Assistant to Senator
Dan Gelber, and Co-Chair Ana Maria
Rodriguez, Baptist Health South Florida

The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held a luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired on June 29. Generously underwritten by Baptist Health South Florida, more than 35 young professionals gathered to enjoy the luncheon which was followed by a tour of the Miami Lighthouse.

YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict welcomed attendees to the luncheon and introduced Natalia Sulca, member of the acclaimed Miami Lighthouse music instruction program and graduate of the Transition program, who delighted guests with an inspiring vocal performance of “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

Humberto Gonzalez, Jr. and YPOL co-chair Ana Maria Rodriguez spoke to the group about the inspiring mission of the Miami Lighthouse and described the ways in which the organization changes lives. One lucky guest won the business card raffle, which included an original ceramic piece created and painted by a Social Group Activities client as well as two music CDs performed and recorded by students in the music program.

Young professionals in attendance at the luncheon were treated to a personal tour of the Miami Lighthouse by President and CEO Virginia Jacko. The tour included a visit to the new Low Vision Center and Solutions Store as well as various summer camp programs. Attendees enjoyed seeing the fun and engaging activities children participate in on a daily basis.

The 2010 Project Goal for the YPOL is to raise $10,000 for the Children’s Program to purchase note takers for blind children which will aid their educational pursuits. We thank all those in attendance for contributing towards this goal.

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) Networking Event at Angelique Euro Café

  Angelique Euro Café co-owner Yolanda Rossi, YPOL Committee Member Otto Foerster, President and CEO Virginia Jacko, YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr., Angelique Euro Café co-owner Carlos Rossi, and YPOL Co-Chair Kent Benedict  
  Angelique Euro Café co-owner Yolanda Rossi, YPOL Committee Member Otto Foerster,
President and CEO Virginia Jacko, YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr.,
Angelique Euro Café co-owner Carlos Rossi, and YPOL Co-Chair Kent Benedict
 
     
  Carlos J. Smith, Erika Benedict, YPOL Co-Chair Kent Benedict, YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. and Nicole Bared  
  Carlos J. Smith, Erika Benedict, YPOL Co-Chair Kent Benedict,
YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. and Nicole Bared
 
     
  YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. presenting Angelique Euro Café co-owner Yolanda Rossi with a Lighthouse ceramic made by Miami Lighthouse Social Group Activities clients  
  YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. presenting Angelique Euro Café co-owner Yolanda Rossi with
a Lighthouse ceramic made by Miami Lighthouse Social Group Activities clients
 

The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held a networking event at Angelique Euro Café in Coral Gables on September 7. More than 40 young professionals gathered to enjoy an evening of delightful food and drinks, as well as live music provided by Miami Lighthouse musicians.

YPOL co-chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. welcomed attendees to the event and thanked Angelique Euro Café owners Carlos and Yolanda Rossi for their generosity in providing the wonderful venue, as well as delicious hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine. Miami Lighthouse instructor Isabel Chica spoke to the group about how blind children are able to take notes in school and brought along a traditional Perkins Brailler and Mountbatten Brailler to demonstrate.

YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict presented one lucky winner of the business card raffle with an original ceramic piece created and painted by a Social Group Activities client. Young professionals in attendance were treated to handmade thank you cards created by children who participated in the Miami Lighthouse Summer Camp 2010.

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) 2010 Kick-off Event at Perricone’s Marketplace & Café

On February 24, 2010, the Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) kicked off the 2010 year with an exclusive event at Perricone’s Marketplace & Café in downtown Miami. Over 60 young professionals gathered to celebrate the launch of the book The Blind Visionary -- the powerful, true story of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s President and CEO, Virginia Jacko.

The evening began with complimentary wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres -- generously provided by Perricone’s – and as the YPOL members socialized with one another, they were treated to the rich sound of jazz, skillfully performed by the talented Miami Lighthouse for the Blind musicians. All attendees received a signed copy of Virginia’s book.

YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict welcomed attendees to the event and spoke about the mission of the Young Professionals of the Lighthouse. YPOL member and father of a visually impaired child Humberto Gonzalez Jr. gave a personal account of his family’s experiences with the Blind Babies Program. Finally, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind CEO, Virginia Jacko, shared with the audience her long journey from her professional career as Director of Financial Affairs at Purdue University to becoming the leader of the Miami Lighthouse – and the lessons she had learned along the way.

The 2010 Project Goal for the YPOL is to raise $10,000 for the Children’s Program to purchase note takers for blind children, which in turn will aid their educational pursuits. We thank all those in attendance for contributing towards this goal.

     
   
  Emily Heckert, YPOL Co-Chair Kent Benedict, Erika Benedict, and President and CEO Virginia Jacko  
     
   
  Sasha Hlozek, Grace Salisbury, and Elvis Anderson enjoying the music of Miami Lighthouse violinist Randy Margitza  
     




 

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