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Miami Lighthouse Transition Program students swim with dolphins at Miami
Seaquarium
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Transition students, ages 14 to 22, spent
the afternoon playing with dolphins at Miami Seaquarium Dolphin Harbor. On
July 29, 20 students fed, played with, pet, hugged and posed with
bottlenose dolphins. Every student, whether blind or visually impaired,
was able to see the dolphins through touch and interaction. The students
saw the dolphins through feeling their textured skin, kissing their beaks
and playing catch with them. The Miami Lighthouse is grateful for this
wonderful experience provided by Andrew and Arthur Hertz.
To view a video taken by the Miami Herald, please
click here.
To view a video taken by NBC 6, please
click here (The video begins after a
commercial.)
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Miami Lighthouse Opens New Low Vision Center and Solutions Store
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is delighted to
announce the opening of the new Low Vision Center and Solutions Store on
the first floor of the building. To learn more about low vision please
click here.
To learn more about products available at the Solutions Store, please
click here.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and President and CEO
Virginia Jacko
with Miami Lighthouse Music Program students
Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Alberto M. Carvalho,
visited the Miami Lighthouse on July 26. He began his tour by visiting one
of the three Heiken Children’s Vision Program mobile eye care units that
have provided eye exams and glasses to over 40,000 low-income students in
Miami-Dade County. Carvalho met with the Transition program students ages
14 to 22 as they introduced themselves and spoke about the schools they
attend. He related to the students as he spoke about their Miami-Dade
County School experiences, as he had once been principal or vice principal
at several of the children’s schools.
He admired many of the ceramic art pieces created by Miami Lighthouse
clients in the Social Group Activities (SGA) program. Virginia Jacko and
Nelba Gonzalez presented a ceramic lighthouse business card holder, which
he gratefully accepted.
Miami Lighthouse Music Program students performed two songs for the
Superintendent, one being the students’ favorite song, “I’m Yours” by
Jason Mraz, and the other “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood. The
tour concluded with President and CEO Virginia Jacko demonstrating how the
blind and visually impaired learn to navigate a computer at Miami
Lighthouse.
STAR Summer Campers Swim with the Miami HEAT for HEAT
Learn to Swim
On July 19 the Miami HEAT, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, and the
American Red Cross teamed up with the Miami Lighthouse to surprise
children in the Summer Training and Recreation (STAR) program during their
swimming lessons at José Martí Pool as part of the HEAT Learn to Swim
community water safety campaign. The STAR program 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
Braille literacy, physical fitness, social skills development, art and
music.
HEAT Community Liaison Tim Hardaway, made a surprise visit and joined the
children in the water for their afternoon lesson. HEAT/Sun Sports
Courtside Reporter, Jason Jackson, gave the children instructions on how
to be better swimmers before they jumped in the pool. The HEAT offered $10
off swimming lesson coupons, to be redeemed at select authorized providers
of Red Cross swimming lessons, in order to make a noticeable impact in
water safety. Campers were encouraged to pass the Learn to Swim message on
to their peers.
Guest speakers included City of Miami District 3 Commissioner Frank
Carrollo, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida South Florida Market
President Penny Shaffer, Miami Lighthouse Board Director Ramon
Casas and American Red Cross representative Patrick Beason.
Speakers were presented with ceramic lighthouses and thank you cards made
by summer campers participating in the Miami Lighthouse STAR program.
U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Visits Miami
Lighthouse for “Color of Justice” Program
On July 12, U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, joined by Mr. Benjamin
Leon and members of the National Association of Women Judges, gathered at
the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to give a
hands-on lesson in criminal justice and law careers to twenty-five
students in the Miami Lighthouse 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 National Association of Women Judges “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 at Miami Lighthouse
stated that the organization encourages students with proficient Braille
and computer skills to consider pursuing careers in criminal justice and
the law.
One of many programs offered at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and
Visually Impaired, the Transition program provides students ages 14 to 22
with the experience needed to live independent, successful and fulfilling
lives. Multiple sessions are offered to students monthly as well as a
focused eight week summer program. The Transition program offers students
work experience that suits their individual interests, personal and home
management, assistive technology training, orientation and mobility, field
trips, and community integration. In addition to developing independence
in all areas of life, the Transition program also teaches students how to
succeed together and build meaningful relationships with their peers.
STAR Summer Campers Enjoy a Carnival Day
On July 9, campers in the Summer Training and Recreation (STAR) program
had a fun-filled Carnival Day complete with a bounce house, train, slides
and golf cart rides. The carnival was generously provided by Harvey and
Ellen Amster, Elsa Dela Cruz, Dario Gomez and family, and Jack and
Patricia Tierney. The summer
campers, ages 5 to 13, enjoyed getting their faces painted by a clown and
eating unlimited snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn. Miami Lighthouse
music program students performed a concert in the sensory garden for all
those in attendance followed by a pizza feast.
The STAR program 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 Braille literacy, physical fitness,
social skills development, art and music. In addition to the STAR program
summer campers, Transition students also enjoyed the day’s carnival
activities. The Transition program provides students ages 14 to 22 with
the experience needed to live independent, successful and fulfilling
lives, while teaching students how to succeed together and build
meaningful relationships with their peers. The Transition program offers
students work experience that suits their individual interests, personal
and home management, assistive technology training, orientation and
mobility, field trips, and community integration.
“The Pillar of Hope” STAR Summer Camp Art Project
This ceramic column was created by students participating in the Miami
Lighthouse 2009 Summer Camp Program with the help of visiting artists
Carlos Alves, Jane Carroll, and staff artist Nelba Gonzales.
During the 2010 summer camp, children will again create individual ceramic
pieces which the artists will use to create a second column. These
projects are underwritten by Scott Miller and the Opa Locka Hialeah Flea
Market.
Natalia Sulca, Miami Lighthouse music student, will take
the stage to sing on reality TV show “Minuto de fama”
Blind teen a recipient of full tuition scholarship to
Berklee College of Music
WHAT: “Minuto de Fama” Spanish television reality show
WHEN: 6-7 p.m. Monday-Friday throughout July 2010
WHERE: Channel 41 América TeVe in Miami; CV-34 in New York City;
and CV-24 in Puerto Rico
Natalia Sulca will be in competition starting on Monday, July 5th on
“Minuto de fama,” the Spanish television reality show equivalent of
American Idol. You can watch each evening from six to seven on Channel 12
if you have Comcast or Channel 41. She needs your votes, and the call in
phone number will be on your TV.
If she wins, she will receive $3,000 which she hopes will happen to help
with her housing expenses at Berklee School of Music in Boston.
We all are her fans; we count on your vote for Natalia.
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Miami Lighthouse Honors Board Director Ray Casas and
Client/Volunteer Hugo Meneses
at Leave A Legacy/Donor Next Door Recognition Luncheon
MAt the Leave A legacy/Donor Next Door Luncheon Miami Lighthouse honored
Board Director Ray Casas and Miami Lighthouse client and volunteer Hugo
Meneses.
Board Director Casas was recognized for his 18 years of service to the
Miami Lighthouse in key leadership positions on the Board of Directors
since 1992, including 10 years on the Executive Committee and his current
position as Chairman of the External Relations Committee as well as for
the pro bono services provided by his public relations firm. Wragg and
Casas’ services include drafting and distribution of news releases, media
relations and counsel on communications issues. Ray has provided important
communications services and counsel throughout the years as a volunteer.
Hugo Meneses, a Miami Lighthouse client since 2003, received recognition
as an extraordinary advocate for the blind and visually impaired. He has
collaborated actively in raising funds for the Miami Lighthouse’s “White
Cane Day” event, and in 2008 he was the individual who obtained the
largest number of pledges. Each year he also solicits donations from the
community in support of the event. Hugo is a member of the “UCHEU” (Union
de Ciegos Hispanos en los Estados Unidos), a non-profit that organizes
recreational activities for the blind such as picnics, parties and field
trips. Because of his many relationships in the community, Miami
Lighthouse clients have meals that are more nutritious.
Miami Lighthouse Music Mentor Henry Stone Featured
At Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Legendary music producer and former Miami Lighthouse client Henry Stone
was featured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Wednesday, May 19 at 7
p.m. in the Rock Hall's Foster Theater in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Stone was participating in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's monthly
program, "From Songwriters to Soundmen: The People Behind the Hits".
"Henry Stone's expertise as a producer and executive is a continuing
inspiration to the students of our ground-breaking music program here at
Miami Lighthouse," said Virginia A. Jacko, CEO of Miami Lighthouse, where
Mr. Stone received vision rehabilitation several years ago. "His
mentorship and involvement have awakened our students to the possibilities
of careers in music performance and production," CEO Jacko said.
The Henry & Inez Stone Music and Sound Production Studio, the result of a
gift from the Mr. and Mrs. Stone's great friend, philanthropist Gloria
Martin, is a state-of-the-art music production facility at Miami
Lighthouse and home to a one-of-a-kind music program for blind and
visually impaired teens to learn the skills they need for mainstream
employment in the music professions. The legendary Henry Stone produced
for Miami Lighthouse its first two albums Instrumental Magic and
Vocal Magic, which are available from the Solutions Store, (305)
856-9100.
Mr. Stone settled in Miami in 1948, established his own independent
publishing companies and launched more than a dozen Miami-based record
labels, including the famed T.K. label, shaping the disco era of the 1970s
and creating what was dubbed "The Miami Sound". The 12” T.K. Disco series
earned Stone 23 gold and platinum records in the '70s. KC and the Sunshine
Band, on the T.K. label, had six number one pop singles, four number one
R&B singles, and gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums.
In 2008 "The Twist", first produced and recorded by Henry Stone, was named
the Billboard Hot 100 Era Number 1 Song of All Time.
For more information, please visit
www.henrystonemusic.com
José Feliciano visits Miami Lighthouse
Music Students
José Feliciano, who has received a total of eight Grammy
Awards, delighted blind and sighted students in our Music Inclusion
Program when he visited them at the Miami Lighthouse Henry and Inez Stone
Music and Sound Studio on March 29th. The Music Inclusion Program is
funded by grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the
Children’s Trust.
Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision Program
Honored by Miami-Dade County School Board
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.
2010 Music Under the Stars… Bon
Appétit Miami
Our third annual fundraiser in support of the Miami
Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision program Music Under the Stars… Bon
Appétit Miami took place on Wednesday evening, April 28.
We extend appreciation to our generous sponsors: Baptist
Health South Florida, Morrison Brown Argiz & Farra, LLP, SMF Energy
Corporation, Essilor of America, Essilor Laboratories of America, Brown
and Brown Insurance, Transitions Optical, Sir Speedy Printing and
Marketing Services, New Image Productions, Magnifying Center, and Florida Reading & Vision
Technology.
We also thank our participating restaurants and beverage
providers Gulf Spirits & Wine Merchants, Gordon Biersch, Casa Larios,
Zucchero Ristorante Bistro, C.A. & Company Catering, Starbucks, Chocolate
Fashion, Archie’s Gourmet, and crepe station courtesy of Dr. Barry Burak.
2010 McCrea Volunteer Recognition
Luncheon
On April 8th, Miami Lighthouse honored the Board of
Directors and its many volunteers for their support and dedication to the
organization, giving special recognition to the McCrea Family Foundation
for their legacy of volunteerism and generosity. Every year the McCrea
Family generously underwrites the annual volunteer recognition event so
that those who dedicate themselves to crucial services to the blind may
receive their due praise. This year’s Volunteer of the Year Award
recipient was Gert Stein. A native of New York, Mr. Stein was first
introduced to the Miami Lighthouse by his mother, a former vision
rehabilitation client. In January 2009, Mr. Stein followed his mother’s
footsteps and became a client at the Miami Lighthouse. He graduated from
the program five months later and became a dedicated volunteer primarily
in Arts and Crafts and the Solutions Store. He then became an active
member of the White Cane Day Committee for which he raised many donations.
Our deep appreciation goes to all volunteers who have gone above and
beyond the call of duty, especially to the McCrea family.
Miami Lighthouse Receives Third
Consecutive Four-Star Rating
from Charity Navigator
Miami Lighthouse has received its third consecutive 4-star
rating, the highest rating possible, from Charity Navigator in recognition
of its ability to efficiently manage and grow its finances.
The notification letter states: “Only 13% of the charities
rated by Charity Navigator have received at least 3 consecutive 4-star
evaluations, indicating that Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually
Impaired consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way,
and outperforms most other charities in America."
To view the full press release and the award letter from
Charity Navigator: click
here.
22nd Annual In the Company of Women
Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to Board Director State Representative
Yolly Roberson who is the recipient of the Miami-Dade County In the
Company of Women Award in the category of Outstanding Woman in
Government and Law. These awards recognize local women from various
disciplines for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the
citizens of Miami-Dade County. The award was presented at the 22nd Annual
In the Company of Women Awards Ceremony on March 18th.
An Incredible True Story with Four
Powerful Lessons
for Finding Greater Personal and Professional Satisfaction
To order your copy, please visit
www.TheBlindVisionary.com
Click here
to read an article by Doug Eadie and Virginia Jacko featured in
the February 2010 edition of Associations Now magazine.
The Blind Visionary was named one of only four Finalists
nationally in the Motivational
Category by the 2010 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and was featured
at BookExpo
America, the largest publishing event in North America. Finalists were
recognized at a reception
at the Plaza Hotel in New York City the day before the opening of BookExpo.
Miami Lighthouse CEO Virginia Jacko held a book signing
for The Blind Visionary at the Books & Books in Coral Gables on
Wednesday evening, March 22, 2010. The event was attended by over 50
interested readers. On April 21, 2010 CEO Jacko was the guest speaker at
the Florida Women's Legislative Caucus Luncheon where she spoke about
The Blind Visionary and held a book signing.
The Blind Visionary tells the story of how Virginia
lost her sight and in the process found a new vision for her life.
Virginia turned a potentially devastating condition into an opportunity,
going from client to President and CEO of the Lighthouse in just four
years. In The Blind Visionary, Virginia shares four key lessons she
learned through this journey.
To order a copy of The Blind Visionary, please
visit
www.TheBlindVisionary.com, call (800)
209-7652, or e-mail
info@TheBlindVisionary.com. The book is
available in hard cover, soft cover, and as an eBook, and will be
available as an audio book. All of Virginia’s royalties will be donated to
the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind.
Click here to view Virginia Jacko, The
Blind Visionary speak to the students at Hillsborough High School.
Click here to view Virginia Jacko, The
Blind Visionary speak at the Braille Challenge at Lions Institute, Tampa,
FL, Spring 2010.
Miami Lighthouse Presents Third Annual
Dog Walk
To Raise Awareness of Guide Dogs
On Sunday, March 14, 2010, hundreds of patrons
participated in the Third Annual Miami Lighthouse for the Blind Dog Walk
at the Shops at Midtown Miami. Through the event, nearly $20,000 was
raised for the Miami Lighthouse Orientation & Mobility program.
The Miami Lighthouse Orientation & Mobility program
prepares visually impaired clients who wish to use a guide dog. Successful
completion of training is a prerequisite for attending guide dog school.
We are grateful to sponsors PetSmart, Shops at Midtown
Miami, The Standard Chartered Private Bank, Dunkin Donuts, Turner &
Associates LLP, Frances T. King Insurance Agency, artist Romero Britto,
Susan Conroy Design, PCA Printing, Banfield Pet Hospital, Starbucks, OXXO, Humana,
Mac Parking, Azul Optics and New York Life.
NEI Award to Miami Lighthouse Heiken
Children's Vision Program
The Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision Program
received one of the select national 2020 Healthy Vision Community Awards
from the National Eye Institute, part of the National Institute of Health.
The competitive award will provide funding to educate Miami-Dade County
Public Schools parents,
counselors and teachers about the importance of early eye care by
community optometrists and comprehensive eye examinations for school
children who fail their school vision screening. The intended outcome of
the award is to improve the return rate of parental consent forms since
our network of optometrists must have a signed consent form before
providing an eye examination. Last school year, the Miami Lighthouse
Heiken Program provided nearly 5,000 needy children with comprehensive eye
examinations and glasses when prescribed.
Miami Lighthouse Annual Board Meeting
The Board of Directors of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind
and Visually Impaired, Inc. held its annual meeting at the Key Biscayne
residence of Michael Silva, Esq., on January 27th. Mr. Silva has served in
several Board governance roles for Miami Lighthouse, previously as Board
Performance Oversight and Monitoring Committee Chairman and as Treasurer.
The fifty attendees at the annual meeting included Board
Directors, Honorary Directors, members of the Heiken Children's Vision
Program Advisory Committee, the senior leadership team of Miami
Lighthouse, and Miami Lighthouse friends including the legendary Henry
Stone, a former client and producer of 23 Gold and Platinum albums.
Click here to read more.
Miami Lighthouse Hosts
Miami Ophthalmological Society December Meeting
On December 10, 2009, the Miami Lighthouse hosted a
meeting of the Miami Ophthalmological Society. Attendees were welcomed by
CEO Virginia Jacko and Dr. Henry Trattler, Executive Director of the Miami
Ophthalmological Society, and heard a testimonial from MLB low vision
client Wendell Beard.
Miami Lighthouse to Expand Music
Inclusion Program
with John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Grant
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will
expand its nationally recognized Music Inclusion Program for young adults
to include both sighted and blind talented adults, with a $125,000 grant
from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
The Knight Arts Challenge is a five-year, $40 million
initiative to help bring the South Florida community together through the
arts.
The Knight Foundation award will be augmented by matching
funds from the Children’s Trust and an anonymous philanthropist to double
the program’s capacity to generate quality music. The enhanced music
production program will enable more talented community vocalists and
musicians to perform in the Lighthouse’s state-of-the-art Henry and Inez
Stone music production studio.
President and CEO Virginia Jacko stated, “We look forward
to the community enjoying beautiful music by both sighted and visually
impaired performers working together.”
Click here to read the full press
release;
click here to view a Channel 10 news piece about the Miami Lighthouse
Henry and Inez Stone Music and Sound Studio.
We Did It!
$1.5 million was raised for the Incentive 1:1 Challenge
announced one year ago. We are truly grateful to all the donors who
participated in the match as their investment in Miami Lighthouse programs
was doubled, and this helped us maintain our programs during difficult
economic times. Our client participation is growing dramatically. For
example, Blind Babies grew from a caseload of seven to a caseload of 98
since inception just six years ago. Our seniors have more than doubled in
our SGA program, and the number of low-income schoolchildren needing our
free eye care has grown from 2,500 the first year of our program merger in
2007 to almost 5,000 in the last school year. We could not meet this
growing demand without our community’s investment. Thank you!
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.
Miami-Dade Legislative Delegation Luncheon
Twenty legislators and their representatives were greeted
by Board Director, State Representative Yolly Roberson, Chairman Owen
Freed, CEO Virginia Jacko and others as they jointly toured the Miami
Lighthouse facility and mobile eye care units. Pictured above: State
Representative Richard Steinberg;
State Representative Julio Robaina, CEO Virginia Jacko, State
Representative Yolly Roberson, State Representative Luis Garcia and State
Representative Ronald Brisé.
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind received five
commendations with its five year
accreditation renewal from
The National
Accreditation Council (NAC) for agencies serving people with blindness or
visual impairment.
For more information,
click here.
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