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LightHouse News

The Gift That Lives On

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
-William Shakespeare

The lasting impact of bequests—both large and small—has helped shape the LightHouse for the Blind into what it is today. For many friends of the LightHouse, a charitable bequest is the easiest and best way to make a gift. By means of your will or other estate plan, you can name LightHouse for the Blind or Enchanted Hills Camp as the beneficiary of a portion of your estate, or of particular assets in your estate. Many of the most powerful gifts with an enduring impact have been bequests.

There are many reasons to make a bequest. A bequest allows you to honor a loved one, while providing critical support to the organization. Giving by bequest costs nothing now, yet it may give you a great deal of satisfaction to know that your future gift will live on, promoting independence, self-reliance and confidence for blind and visually impaired individuals for years to come.

Want to know more? Please call us at (415) 694-7333 or email jsachs@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Six Enchanting Reasons to Hold Your Get-Together at Enchanted Hills Retreat

You already know that Enchanted Hills is a beautiful, relaxing and reasonably priced place to get people together, whether it be for a family reunion, business off-site, religious group outing, wellness retreat or other celebration.

Here are six more reasons why Enchanted Hills is the perfect place for your retreat:

1. Enchanted Hills is the most affordable retreat facility in the wine country.

2. Stay at Enchanted Hills Retreat in the winter and save even more- take advantage of reduced winter rates.

3. The meals are healthy and hearty and home-style, and we can accommodate special requests to meet your needs.

4. The stars are so bright; you’ll try to touch them.

5. It’s so quiet and away from it all (and yet only 8 miles from town) – in this hustle-bustle world we all could use a little rest and relaxation in a place where we can hear the leaves rustle and breathe in the fragrant, clean air.

6. Your gathering at Enchanted Hills Retreat supports the life-changing programs of Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind, providing opportunities for blind people of all ages to make friends and gain confidence for over 63 years.

To reserve Enchanted Hills for your get-together of 30 to 120, please call (415) 694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

The rustic and comfortable cabins at Enchanted Hills Retreat

LightHouse News

You Can Go Back Again: Sharon Sutherland Hones Her Skills at our Changing Vision, Changing Lives Immersion Class at Enchanted Hills

Sharon Sutherland is a Registered Nurse whose career was put on hold when her vision suddenly decreased. She has attended our Changing Vision Changing Lives Immersion training not once, but twice. The first time she focused on general skills such as an introduction to access technology, cane travel, day to day living skills, braille and self-advocacy. She returned a second time to zero in on her ZoomText and braille skills. Her participation in our immersion trainings at Enchanted Hills has provided her with the knowledge, support and resources to that will allow her to return to her profession. In fact, she will be renewing her nursing license soon.Sharon Sutherland writes using a Perkins Brailler

“I truly appreciate being able to come back to the class at Enchanted Hills to get individualized training. And I loved meeting the new students and sharing what I’ve been doing with them,” she told us.

Sharon’s story is one of many. Would you like to take part in this opportunity to learn new skills while enjoying the fresh air, tall redwoods and delicious, healthy meals at Enchanted Hills? This class is free to all Californians who are DOR clients. Transportation is provided from LightHouse offices in San Francisco, Berkeley and the North Coast.

The following dates are available in 2014:

• Sunday, January 26 through Friday, January 31, 2014
• Sunday, March 30 through Friday, April 4, 2014
• Sunday, June 8 through Friday, June 13, 2014
• Sunday, September 7 through Friday, September 12, 2014

For more information, please call Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7375 or e-mail dbacon@old.lighthouse-sf.org. Del Norte and Humboldt county residents may call Janet Pomerantz at 707-268-5646 and e-mail jpomerantz@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

LightHouse Now Distributing Transit Orientation Guides Plus Trainings

LightHouse is not only in the process of rolling out its Transit Route Orientation Guides for BART, Caltrain, and selected Muni and Samtrans routes – we are offering orientation trainings to make it easier for blind and visually impaired transit riders in the Bay Area to travel independently.

Transit Route Orientation Guides are Braille pamphlets which contain lists of the stops along a bus or train route with information about the transfers available at each stop, and the orientation of each stop. Low vision and blind travelers may sign up to receive up to 10 hours of orientation training to these systems at no charge, to familiarize themselves with the BART, Caltrain, Samtrans and Muni routes for which we provide Transit Route Orientation Guides.

Funding for these much needed guides is provided by a New Freedom Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

To order a Transit Route Orientation Guide, or to request orientation training to help you make the best use of these guides, contact Frank Welte at 415-694-7363, or fwelte@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Transit Route Orientation Guide

LightHouse News

Check Out the Newly Installed Tactile Lands End Model

The Lighthouse is proud to see the fruits of its consulting labors at Land’s End. The newly installed tactile Lands End model is located outside of the Lands End Lookout Center on the concrete plaza in between the North end of the building and the parking lot. It awaits the perusal of your fingertips.

The model provides topographic Information for Lands End and surrounding areas, contains braille labels, includes various tactile methods to depict different site features and is accessible to visitors who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Please stop by and check out this new installation. The model is not only a great resource for people who are blind and visually impaired; it provides relevant information for all park visitors.

For more information on how the LightHouse can help with provide accessibility to a monument, museum or natural wonder, call Greg Kehret at 415-694-7349 or gkehret@old.lighthouse-sf.org. For more information about Lands End and accessibility call 415-561-4700 or email goga_accessibility@nps.gov.

Lands End model

LightHouse News

The Mechanics of Finding A Job: Alfredo Estrada, LightHouse for the Blind Employment Immersion Success

1 Commenton The Mechanics of Finding A Job: Alfredo Estrada, LightHouse for the Blind Employment Immersion Success

For 24 years Alfredo Estrada, Jr. was an airplane mechanic for United Airlines. He has a vision impairment that renders him legally blind, but with a narrow tunnel of vision he was able to work on aeronautical engines with deep concentration. He eventually lost his job and faced unemployment for 3 years. His Department of Rehabilitation counselor, John Grote, encouraged Alfredo to consider the LightHouse’s Employment Immersion Program.

Alfredo Estrada, Jr.

With over 20 years at the same job, Alfredo hadn’t had to look for work in a long time so his job hunting skills were rusty. He benefitted from the Employment Immersion Programs’ resume writing focus, from the interview skills section and from the networking and search practicums. Alfredo took his learning seriously: he never missed a class, and completed every assignment. At one session, LightHouse CEO and guest speaker Bryan Bashin discussed mentorships, asking the class as a whole, “What is your professional goal?” The students went around the room responding and when it was Alfredo’s turn, he spoke with passion. His goal was to return to the aviation field.

When Bryan heard this he strongly recommend Alfredo connect with our colleague organization, the Seattle LightHouse, which has a facility where they machine airplane parts for Boeing. Bryan followed up by introducing Alfredo to Kevin Daniels, ‎Senior Director of Strategic Recruiting for Seattle LightHouse.

It all moved very quickly from there. Alfredo applied for a position and Seattle LightHouse flew him there for an interview. We’d like to think our Employment Immersion Program can take some credit for Alfredo’s well-favored presentation. We’ve been told that he dressed smartly, interviewed well and held himself very professionally. Not surprisingly, he got the job. Congratulations, Alfredo.

Are you looking for a job? Do you need to improve your resume, learn the art of networking or develop your interview acumen? Our next Employment Immersion session runs from Tuesday, October 15 through Thursday, December 5 and will take place at the LightHouse’s office at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley. For more information, call Kate Williams at 415-694-7324 or email her at kwilliams@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Kinder’s Fundraiser to benefit the LightHouse

Kinder’s is donating 15% of your purchase to the LightHouse!

On October 13, 14, 15 and 16 present this flyer when you pay and 15% of your purchase will benefit the LightHouse (excludes raw meat).

This flyer is valid at the following seven locations:

  • 5411 Lone Tree Way
    Suite 110, Brentwood
    (925) 308-7997

  • 1776 Arnold Industrial Way
    Suite Q, Concord
    (925) 825-2333

  • 3600 San Pablo Ave.
    Ste. 1, Hercules
    (510) 724-2332

  • 536 Center Ave.
    Martinez
    (925) 957-1400

  • 2227 Morello Ave.
    Pleasant Hill
    (925) 798-2333

  • 1831 Ygnacio Valley Road
    Walnut Creek
    (925) 952-9393

  • 1293 Parkside Drive
    Walnut Creek
    (925) 952-9000

Print the flyer now and find your nearest Kinder’s.

LightHouse News

Get Certified – Take the National Certification in Literary Braille Exam this November

The LightHouse for the Blind is once again honored to hold the National Certification in Literary Braille (NCLB) exam this November.

When: Saturday, November 2, 2013
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters, 214 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco

Please sign up by Friday October 25, 2013.

You can stand out among teachers of the blind and visually impaired by holding an important, nationally recognized certification in literary braille proficiency. If you have questions or need further information please email braille@nbpcb.org.

Did you know?

  • The NCLB is the only test that is specifically designed for teachers and aids who work with blind children and adults. All other national certifications are intended for transcribers who must be experts in the braille code.
  • Representatives from the American Council of the Blind, the American Foundation for the Blind, the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Blinded Veterans Association, the Canadian Council of the Blind, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, and The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped all came together to find a way for teachers working with the blind to unequivocally demonstrate their knowledge of braille. The NCLB was the result.
  • The NCLB test was originally maintained and administered by The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped before the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) assumed responsibility for it.
  • The NCLB will ensure employers, school administrators, colleagues, consumers, families, and other professionals that you possess proficient braille knowledge and skills to meet your professional responsibilities.

You can go to www.nbpcb.org/nclb for information on the material covered by the NCLB, a sample test, study materials, description of common errors, accommodations, information on the reference materials you can use on the test, costs including special rates for students, and much more.

LightHouse News

New – Body Flow Yoga and Meditation with Sally Mitchell

When: Every Tuesday, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

Sally Mitchell is a professional, caring and thoughtful yoga teacher, massage therapist and chi running instructor, based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She creates a safe, supportive and nurturing environment in all her classes and sessions, allowing her clients to feel at ease. Her intention is to help people to balance their energy in their bodies and minds, through natural movement, deep relaxation and meditation. She will teach you how to move your body with greater ease, while also experiencing a deeper sense of self-awareness, openness and confidence.

Having worked with a variety of clients, including office workers, athletes, dancers, and people with disabilities, she is sensitive to her clients’ different needs. Sally is the founder, owner and sole practitioner at Body Flows Movement and Wellness Center in San Francisco, providing yoga and massage services to individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations. Please RSVP to Molly Irish 415-694-7320 or mpearson@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Walk with the LightHouse for the Blind on White Cane Awareness Day

Join the LightHouse for our 2nd Annual White Cane Awareness Day Walk. Celebrate the significance of this day and honor the importance the white cane has to those who are blind.

When: Tuesday, October 15, 1:00 until 2:30 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

We will meet at the LightHouse and walk together around the perimeter of San Francisco City Hall.

We are excited to announce that Supervisor Eric Mar from District 1, Supervisor Scott Wiener from District 8, the Executive Director of the San Francisco Bike Coalition Leah Shahum and the Interim Director of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on disability Carla Johnson will be participating in this year’s walk. Following the walk we’ll gather at the LightHouse for light refreshments.

RSVP to Beth Berenson at 415-431-1481 or info@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse clients, staff and friends stand proudly in front of San Francisco City Hall with white canes and signs in hand