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Dan, Dan, The Baking Man Boosts his Skills at LightHouse for the Blind

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“My chocolate chip cookies are chewy and big. The joke is I make them big so it is easier for me to see them.” These are the words of Dan O’Connor, a 62-year-old blind baker who has been developing tasty gluten free baked goods for Sans Grocery Store in Marin.

How does Dan do it?
“That’s where LightHouse and my rehab counselor Molly Buchanan were a big help,” says Dan. He’s learned tips about lighting and adaptive cooking tools that help him create his cookies and bread.

LightHouse has helped Dan in many other ways outside of the kitchen. He is currently trying to get better at reading braille. He has learned how to use JAWS and Zoomtext. “The support and the help I have received from the LightHouse has been phenomenal.” Dan is proactive by nature. When Ralston (his guide dog) retires he is considering switching to cane travel. He knows that his biggest challenge will be in discriminating different sounds when crossing the street. “I plan to work on my cane skills through the LightHouse. I want to undergo blindfold training to develop better spatial awareness.” said Dan.

Born in New York City, raised in Philadelphia, Dan moved to California in 1980. “I went back to college at San Francisco State and tried to get an undergraduate degree in rehabilitation. I didn’t really know what to do.” Dan had tried everything imaginable from bike and shoe repair to an assistant supervisor at a half-way house for hard of hearing individuals where he learned sign language. One day, while walking to the Student Union, Dan had an epiphany. “I decided I wanted to work with my hands,” he said.

“I tried sculpting and found it wasn’t for me. I tried working at a restaurant where I was willing to mop and clean. One day, the restaurant asked if I knew how to bake bread. I said yes. I had baked in a big kitchen at a school before and wasn’t intimidated to try. They were excited to try me out and it worked.”

One day, Dan found himself walking into Sans Grocery Store in Marin—where a loaf of his cornbread won the friendship of the owner. This turned into an enterprise, and Dan cranks out about 15 dozen cookies a week and 32 to 42 loaves of bread, all gluten free. Local cafes have begun to buy Dan’s bread to serve to their customers.

Are you ready to learn useful adaptive skills in the kitchen or in other areas of your life? If Dan’s story has motivated you to change your life, call Debbie Bacon at 415-694-7357 or email her at dbacon@old.lighthouse-sf.org to sign up for classes that will truly make a difference.

 

 

LightHouse News

Employment Successes: Laurie Van Allen

When we reflect on the first year and a half of the Employment Immersion program we are filled with a sense of pride knowing we have been involved in changing the lives of the people we serve in a most remarkable way. We have a successful placement rate of 35% of the participants (a rate significantly higher than that of employment programs for sighted jobseekers), and even more exciting is the fact that their collective salaries total over $600,000. In very real terms, we have helped change futures and lives. Meet one of our successes in 2012:

Meet Laurie Van Allen. At 50 years of age, Laurie was convinced that no one would hire her – not just because of her age, but because of her blindness. And because she had never held a job (with the exception of babysitting years ago).

She was comfortable volunteering for Community Violence Solutions, because as a volunteer she didn’t have to job search. “I used to hate doing cover letters,” Laurie said. But LightHouse’s Employment Immersion Program, and its leader, Kate Williams, reversed Laurie’s attitude. “I’ll be honest: I’d be lost without Kate,” she said. Her perseverance has paid dividends: just last week Laurie secured a job as a Living Skills Instructor for the Moving On Project in Berkeley. It is Laurie’s first job ever, and she has another interview for a part-time job in a peer mentorship/coaching program. Congrats, Laurie!

Laurie was a participant in the LightHouse’s initial Employment Immersion session in March 2011. Since then Kate Williams has worked with Laurie continuously, providing guidance, raising her skills and offering support. Kate said, “After polishing her ‘cold call’ script, Laurie burned up the phone lines with her calls to her targeted list of companies. She has written letters of introduction, followed up, applied to every job that fit her needs, volunteered and networked incessantly. Even though she became discouraged from time to time, she never backed down. Never!”

Do you want to jumpstart your career like Laurie did? Are you looking for a job and need that extra little push to get that interview or spiffy up your resume. Classes start January 8th at the LightHouse’s Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley. Call Kate Williams at 415-694-7324 or email her at kwilliams@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Save the Date – Northern California Braille Challenge

This March, California School for the Blind is hosting the Northern California Braille Challenge, a National Program of Braille Institute, in collaboration with LightHouse for the Blind, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Braille Institute of America.

When: Saturday, March 2, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: California School for the Blind, 500 Walnut Avenue, Fremont, CA 94536

Youth from Northern California in grades 1-12 are invited to compete in a series of five skills contests demonstrating braille reading and comprehension, speed and accuracy, spelling, proofreading, and tactile graphics. Everyone who competes is recognized.

Event Contact/Registration: Contact Sharon Sacks, California School for the Blind at ssacks@csb-cde.ca.gov or 510-794-3800 x313.

LightHouse News

Dialogue with the Director

LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin wants to talk to you. Come to a community conversation about LightHouse services and opportunities for our organization.

When: Tuesday, January 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

These informal evenings have proven to be very useful as the LightHouse develops new programs and services. To reserve your place, please contact Chuck Godwin at 415-694-7348 or cgodwin@old.lighthouse-sf.org by 5 p.m. on Monday, January 7.

LightHouse News

Personal Services Volunteer Request

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Are you an individual who believes the simplest pleasures in life sometimes have the most profound impact? Do you prefer to work with people in a one-to-one capacity rather than in large groups? More importantly, would you like to make a significant contribution to the life of a blind or low-vision person in as little as two hours per week?

If so, you may be interested in becoming a Personal Services volunteer. Our clients may need assistance with: reading mail, books, newspapers and periodicals; writing checks, letters and correspondence; home organization such as marking or labeling; grocery shopping or errands with the client; attending cultural, social or sporting events; walking or transportation.

Volunteer at the LightHouse! Contact John Liang, Director of Community and Volunteer Services at 415-694-7334 or jliang@old.lighthouse-sf.org, or visit www.lbvi.staging.wpengine.com.com to download a volunteer application.

LightHouse News

Napa Film Festival Event Raises Friends and Funds

On November 9th, in conjunction with the Napa Valley Film Festival, the LightHouse held a fundraiser for Enchanted Hills Camp in Yountville. The film, Make A Hero’s documentary “The Movement” features longtime Enchanted Hills camper Mike May, who holds the world record for fastest blind downhill skiing.

It was a great community building event attended by a perfect blend of people: folks who had attended family camp at Enchanted Hills, a number of LightHouse board members, a handful of film festival attendees in search of a party, and a good number of neighbors from Mt. Veeder.

Under a beautifully lit tent at Redd Wood, a lovely wine country restaurant, there was wine, an amazing auction and live music by Enchanted Hills camper Jimmy Cong. Also a shout out to the many Mt. Veeder (and beyond) wineries that generously donated to the event including: Fontanella, Handmade by Marketta, Mt. Brave, Lampyridae, Godspeed, Mayacamas, Renteria, Silver Oak, Silverado, Sullivan, Y Rosseau and Yates Family Winery. Your support enables blind children to enjoy the beauty and magic that is Enchanted Hills!

If you would like to support Enchanted Hills Camp click here.

Lloyd Casey, Patty Moynihan, Dorian Greenow and Gemma Kochis, some of our Mt. Veeder neighbors and Friends of Enchanted Hills members

LightHouse News

Passing of LightHouse Teacher David Baioni

It is with great sadness that the LightHouse announces the recent passing of much loved teacher and colleague, David Baioni.
David began his Rehabilitation Teaching career long before the LightHouse, and we were so glad he joined our team in September, 2000. David was a true educator, teaching with passion, patience and gusto. He was honest and straightforward, generously sharing his personal experience with low vision, and he always looked to create a connection with his students. From teaching cooking and independent living skills, working with patients in the low vision clinic or hopping on Muni and hiking up the stairways of his students’ apartment buildings with a backpack of bump dots, magnification aides and teaching tools, David truly shared and demonstrated options and possibilities with each student. He will truly be missed by his colleagues and students.

A Funeral Mass celebrating David’s life was held on November 21 at Immaculate Conception Chapel in San Francisco. In addition to his work as a teacher, David was a wonderful musician and a musical fixture at Café Trieste in North Beach. While he played many instruments, he was well-known and revered in accordion circles. Here is a YouTube video which demonstrates David’s musical side.

David’s family sent us the following, which we are grateful to be able to share:

David Julius Baioni passed away at the age of 62 in San Francisco, where he lived all of his life. David was the beloved husband of Deborah Atencio Baioni, loving father of Sequoia and Melodie Baioni, and proud grandfather of Spencer Baioni. He now joins his parents, Julius and Margaret Baioni, who preceded him in death. David leaves behind adoring family members and friends with whom he celebrated his love of life and music. We will remember him as a devoted, loving person, and as an accomplished accordionist and pianist. His memory and his music will live forever in our hearts.

The LightHouse has established a fund in David’s name to support the work he so believed in, training people to be as independent as they want to be. Contributions to the David Baioni Teaching Fund can be made here. Be sure to choose the David Baioni Teaching Fund as your designation.

Left to right, David Baioni plays accordion with fellow Trio Davide musicians David Miotk and guitarist David Sturdevan

LightHouse News, Resources in the Community

New! SF LightHouse Youth Advocacy Support Group

The mission of the SF LightHouse Youth Advocacy Group is to arm youth and their parents with the tools and resources needed to become more informed, prepared, engaged, and confident in all aspects of scholastic and social life.

This group is designed specifically for parents, middle school students, high school students, and college students (both undergraduate and post-graduate). The SF Youth Advocacy Group will leverage the positive attitudes, philosophy and beliefs of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) as it relates to the abilities of the blind student, and the supportive role it has with parents. The SF Youth Advocacy Group is a proactive collaboration between the NFB San Francisco Chapter and SF LightHouse in order to offer a wide array of community-building and strengthening opportunities for blind and low vision youth and their families.

Some of the topics the advocacy group will cover include:

  • College Life: life on the university and community college campus
  • Rehabilitation: how to work with your counselor to get to your goals
  • IEP 101(for students only): All you need to know about Individual Educational Programs (IEPs). An IEP is a blueprint for a student’s academic goals or educational path.
  • Advocating for your child: tips, tricks and resources for parents of blind children
  • Self-Advocacy: growing up and fitting in at middle school and high school (focus on developing age-appropriate habits and expectations for one’s self)
  • Cane/guide dogs: pros and cons between these two methods of independent travel.
  • Getting and staying active: how to get involved in sports and other physical and/or outdoor activities
  • Community Service/Civic Engagement: how to become more involved in your community through volunteerism and activism

The LH Youth Advocacy Group will meet every 2nd Saturday of the month from 12 to 1:00 p.m. at the SF LightHouse, beginning on December 8, 2012.

To RSVP, please contact Darian Smith at dsmithnfb@gmail.com or John Liang, Director of Community Services at jliang@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

About The Facilitator

San Francisco resident Darian Smith is a former LightHouse client via Enchanted Hills Camp and other LightHouse-related youth recreation/education and employment programs. A community and campus organizer, Darian has held many leadership positions at City College of San Francisco. He is also an active member of the National Federation of the Blind where he currently serves as president of the San Francisco Chapter. A service-oriented person, Darian has served as a camp counselor, mentor, and member of AmeriCorps. Darian is a fervent believer that youth and students who are blind or visually impaired can achieve whatever personal, professional, academic or social goals they set for themselves, and he encourages everyone to set their sights high. When asked to talk about his hopes for the group, Darian said “I want to help answer questions that students have long sought answers for, but did not know where to get those answers. Through finding answers within the group and in the community, I hope we can strengthen ourselves and our belief in what’s possible”.

LightHouse News

NEW! The LightHouse Red Cross Club for Bay Area Blind and Low Vision Youth

In partnership with American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter, the LightHouse is very proud and excited to offer membership in the newly established SF LightHouse Red Cross Club for Bay Area Blind and Low Vision Youth. The SF LightHouse Red Cross Club for Blind and Low Vision Youth will be the only Red Cross Club in the United States comprised exclusively of blind and low vision youth. Although Red Cross clubs currently exist in many schools across the country, none are dedicated exclusively to addressing the needs, interests, and accessibility of the blind community. Moreover, creating a Red Cross club consisting solely of blind and low vision youth eliminates the potential risk of governance by a “hierarchy of sight.” In other words, every SF LightHouse Red Cross Club member will share responsibility equally, regardless of their level of sight.

Membership in a Red Cross club is both an honor and a commitment. The standards and expectations are high, as are the rewards. The SF LightHouse Red Cross Club will give blind and low vision youth the opportunity to better prepare our community for times of emergency/disaster, assist the American Red Cross in expanding accessibility (the LightHouse’s Community Services is currently working with American Red Cross in converting much of their informational materials into accessible formats), educate the public on health and safety, learn invaluable leadership skills, and meet new friends and partners. Additionally, participation in the SF LightHouse Red Cross Club will reflect strongly on any resume and/or college application.

The first meeting of the SF LightHouse Red Cross Club is tentatively scheduled for early December. To reserve a seat or for more information, please contact John Liang, Director of Community and Volunteer Services, at jliang@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7334. Please feel free to invite any blind or low vision youth you know that may be interested. We want this to be the first of many Blind and Low Vision Red Cross Clubs throughout the country and beyond.

Additional Information

Join the Club – Join the Youth Movement

Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, there are core areas where the American Red Cross provides specific services: support and comfort for service members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs. Young people are an important part of the American Red Cross family; they are 125,000 strong, or 23 percent of the American Red Cross volunteer workforce. Youth volunteers are actively involved in every line of Red Cross service delivery; they serve on disaster action teams, teach health and safety courses, hold leadership positions on local boards, donate blood and recruit other donors, raise funds for international efforts.

Youth Executive Board (E-Board)

The Youth E-Board is the highest local volunteer leadership opportunity for Red Cross youth in the Bay Area. Youth Executive Board members work within the American Red Cross mission statement to guide all youth opportunities and directives for It plans and implements projects and programs that serve the Bay Area Region.

Youth Executive Board Leadership

Members are expected to be creative, innovative, and enthusiastic about their commitment to Youth Executive Board and the greater Red Cross as well as their individual service. All members of the board must fulfill the following expectations: 1. Attend monthly meetings 2. Attend mandatory meeting + training 3. Coordinate services projects 4. Spend individual time on projects. This group is mainly comprised of high school students.

LightHouse News

New! LightHouse Presents: Jam Class at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance

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Everyone has jammed out at one time or another, whether it was at a wedding or late at night to a song on the radio. Jam Class turns spontaneous jam into practice. The class operates by listening to and following the rhythms, soulfulness, funkiness, histories, memories, and many shades of joy that already live inside our bodies. Jam Class does not aim at teaching anyone how to dance, but rather at bringing out the inherent ability to dance that everyone already has within them. The class starts slow and quiet, discovering the seeds of rhythm deep within one’s body and momentum. This class is intended for young adults ages 17 to 30. The only precondition for participants is the ability to stand for one hour.

If you want to move and be moved, Jam Class is for you. Jam Class will be held on the third Saturday of each month through May, 2013.

Here is the schedule:

  • January 19, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
  • February 16, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
  • March 16, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
  • April 20, 12 to 1:00 p.m.
  • May 18, 12 to 1:00 p.m.

The class is led by Malinda LaVelle and Emmaly Wiederholt and is limited to ten people, so sign up now! To reserve your space or for more information, please contact John Liang, Director of Community Services at jliang@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7334.

Malinda LaVelle
Malinda LaVelle is the artistic director of Project Thrust, a dance-theater company based in San Francisco. Since its inception in 2010, Project Thrust has performed at Z Space as part of the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance’s Summer Dance Series, at ODC Theater, at The Garage as part of Resident Artist Workshop (RAW), and in the Women on the Way Festival. Project Thrust is currently in residence at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance, Malinda’s alumni, where she currently serves on the faculty. Originally from Colorado, Malinda LaVelle graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance. Malinda has performed with Alex Ketley’s The Foundry, Alyce Finwall Dance Theater, Manuelito Biag’s Shift>>>Physical Theater, and in 2012, she was awarded a 2012 Isadora Duncan Award for Outstanding Performance.

Emmaly Wiederholt
Emmaly Wiederholt resides in San Francisco and is a founding member of Malinda LaVelle’s Project Thrust. She also writes about dance; she founded, edits, and writes for Stance On Dance (stanceondance.com), and has contributed to In Dance, The San Francisco Examiner, and the San Francisco Bay Guardian. She is originally from Albuquerque, NM and graduated from the University of Utah with a BFA in ballet and a BS in political science. She is an alumna of the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance and has performed with Vabang! Dance Company, Amy Lewis’ Push Up Something Hidden, Christine Cali (Cali & Co.), Alyce Finwall Dance Theater, Katie Faulkner’s Little Seismic Dance Company, and in David Dorfman’s choreography with AXIS Dance Company.

The San Francisco Conservatory of Dance was established in 2004 by veteran dancer/teacher Summer Lee Rhatigan with a team of collaborators whose principal goal was to create a new kind of dance school specifically designed to guide and support young people in their discovery, understanding, development, and application of the tools necessary to thrive as an artist. Since its inception, some one thousand talented young dancers have participated in the Conservatory’s programs, studying classical and modern technique and learning/performing a huge number and variety of works. Located at 301 8th Street (at Folsom), the studios are drenched with natural light through skylights and north and west facing windows.