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Changing Vision Changing Life, Immersion Training – Plan for your April in Napa or your Summer in San Francisco

Students and instructors from the January class gather for a group photo in front of the fireplace at Enchanted Hills RetreatFor more than three years now, the LightHouse has developed our six-day Changing Vision Changing Life (CVCL) immersion training program at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa. Each CVCL session brings together up to 14 adult students of all ages, from Northern California and the Central Valley, who are either new to low vision or blindness, or have had a significant change in vision and have requested additional training.

We’re excited to announce that come June, we will add a very special new venue for training – our newly constructed headquarters at 1155 Market Street in San Francisco. But no matter the site, Napa or San Francisco, the outcome is the same, to provide you with a myriad of options, information, basic training and support to get you started on the journey of living your life the way you want and maintaining your independence.

The CVCL curriculum, presented in four or five sessions per day, includes: ways to read printed materials; understanding how lighting, contrast and magnification can help you every day; techniques for organizing and labeling in your home or office; best methods for taking notes; basic cooking skills; traveling and moving safely and confidently in your home and in the community and understanding how accessible computers and other high and low tech equipment can enhance your life.

Evening discussions focus inwards, from conversations about holding yourself accountable on you journey, to self-advocacy, to questions about how friends, family and partners can understand/support you and your path. Sometimes the process is planned, other times it becomes very organic. Every person and every group of students is different and we individualize much of the experience depending on your own aspirations.

Gaining understanding of what is available to you, getting hands-on with new skills and developing renewed confidence with changing vision is the overall theme of the week. While the experience is different for everyone, the act of coming together with other adults, both students and teachers, who are blind or have low vision, to learn or relearn skills, and to get back into the stream of life, remains a pivotal part of the week-long experience.

At both sites, students will live in comfortable shared accommodations (minimum two to a room), are provided three meals a day and have transportation access to Napa from San Francisco, Berkeley, San Rafael and Eureka. If you are blind or have low vision and want attend a CVCL session you must be genuinely interested in learning the skills for moving forward; enjoy learning with a group of peers and must be able and willing to participate full day (from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., every day) of active learning and physical participation (rural mobility in Napa/urban mobility in San Francisco).

Note, there is no cost to attend if you are 55 or older and living in San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Humboldt or Del Norte counties and limited scholarships are available for persons who are under 55 and not eligible for Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Dates for our upcoming training sessions:

April 10 through 14 at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa

June 12 through 17 at our new headquarters in San Francisco

July 10 through 15 at our new headquarters in San Francisco (note: all training in Spanish)

July 31 through 5 at our new headquarters in San Francisco

The Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training is open to adults who are ready for a jump start or, a recharge as vision has changed. Interested? Contact us in San Francisco, San Rafael or Eureka to find out more our sign up:

LightHouse News

Learn About College on March 26th with YES, our Youth Employment Series

In January, the LightHouse Youth Program launched the latest program for transition-aged students who are blind or have low vision. Our Saturday, March 26 session is all about college.

LightHouse YES: Youth Employment Series

LightHouse YES: Youth Employment Series is an informative series of monthly workshops providing transition-aged youth who are blind or have low vision vital skills and practices that will help them become more successful in higher education and their chosen career path.

What is the LightHouse Youth Employment Series?

A series of day long workshops designed to help youth and transition-aged students (recommend age: 14 to 24 years old) who are blind or have low vision to be prepared to become successfully employed. Through a variety of speakers and collaborative activities led by successful blind professionals, students will gain invaluable wisdom that can help them grow and shape themselves into competent blind adults.

These workshops will teach students to:

  • Effectively navigate through any system to ensure you receive necessary accommodations.
  • Learn about accommodations available to college students and those entering the workforce.
  • Acquire access technology skills which can be applied to real world situations, and test how effective these technologies might be for yourself.
  • Acquire and use blindness skills that will enrich your life and help you achieve your goals, be more confident and learn how to advocate for your needs.
  • How to transition smoothly into college from high school or from college to a career.
  • Develop Effective cover letters and resumes.
  • Practice networking, participate in mock interviews, and understand how to make a strong and positive first impression.
  • Learn how to develop, enhance and utilize your network and your relationship with peers and mentors.

When and where will the workshops be held?

9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on the following Saturdays: March 26, April 30 and May 21. These workshops will be held at the LightHouse, San Francisco Headquarters.

Is there a cost?

The cost to attend one of the LightHouse Youth Employment Series workshops is $150 per student. In addition to the day’s activities and curriculum, students will receive a light breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day. DOR authorizations or alternate payment source must be secured before students will be eligible to participate.

March 2016 LightHouse YES: College Connections

Who: Youth and transition-aged students (recommended age range: 14 to 24 years old) who are blind or who have low vision.
When: Saturday, March 26, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: LightHouse, San Francisco Headquarters

Our March workshop, College Connections, will focus on information and resources that will help high school and college students be more successful in higher education. Students who participate in this workshop will walk away with valuable wisdom from current students and recent graduates about how best to navigate the college system. We will discuss topics such as Disabled Students Services, what it is and how the program can help you; why you should sign up with Department of Rehabilitation and more.

If you would like more information or to register for the workshop please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at 415-694-7372 or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Save the Date for our first youth insider’s look at how to apply for a job – Saturday, April 30th

During our April workshop we will focus on cover letters, resumes and how to conduct a job search. Stay tuned for our April announcement.

LightHouse News

LightHouse Spotlight – Focus on Employment

image of a spotlightAt the LightHouse, we pride ourselves on offering a great variety of programs, services, initiatives and products, all towards the ultimate goal of our community members building full and satisfying lives. Beginning in February 2016, we will launch LightHouse Spotlight, a bimonthly opportunity for you to learn about our broad scope of work. Lively, engaging presentations will be followed by Q&A, discussion, and where appropriate, hands-on interaction. We’ll close each Spotlight session with light refreshments, a great way to mingle with us and with other members of the blindness community.

Our inaugural LightHouse Spotlight will focus on our Employment Services Department. Program staff will verbally walk you through the journey of program participants, and graduates of our successful Employment Immersion class will share their experiences and success stories. Come join us, and find out how the LightHouse Employment Services department can support you.

What: LightHouse Spotlight – Employment Services
Where: LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters – 214 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco
When: Friday, February 26, 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Please RSVP to Beth Berenson at info@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-431-1481.

LightHouse News

“Keep Going” Advises Our Latest Employment Immersion Success

Meghan O’Grady“Keep going!” Meghan O’Grady stresses when asked what advice she has for blind jobseekers. Meghan graduated from the Employment Immersion program in May 2015, and started her job in November 2015. “I’m a dorm counselor at Orientation Center for the Blind (OCB), giving back to the community every day.”

For Meghan, Employment Immersion helped her get “unstuck.” Frank, her counselor at the Department of Rehabilitation, urged her to sign up for Employment Immersion. “I needed a push – in addition to perfecting my job seeking skills, I needed to gain confidence in myself.” Meghan now works with blind students at OCB, helping them feel comfortable while at Orientation Center for the Blind, and urging her students to use the blindness skills they’re learning. Meghan tells us, “The students I work with range from the ages of 18 to 60 years old. I check on their physical and mental well-being, secure the dorm, check out and instruct participants on how to use assistive technology, help participants problem solve and find resources and I offer guidance about their training and their adjustment to changes in their vision. I love getting to know the students and help build their confidence. I’m glad I completed the Employment Immersion program, because it really helped me land this job.”

Meghan learned a lot through from the Employment Immersion program. “[Program Leader] Kate Williams taught my class practical skills, like how to write a resume and cover letter, prepare for interview questions, and dress for interviews. She also taught us how to prospect for jobs, from searching postings to reaching out to hiring managers.” Meghan tells us she expected to learn these skills, but what she was surprised to gain was confidence in herself.

“Kate was our cheerleader. She believed in us, and that feeling rubbed off. She reminded us that we had to sell ourselves, and that in order to sell ourselves, we had to believe in ourselves first.” Meghan’s experience is something we’re familiar with; a lot of blind jobseekers downplay what they have to offer employers. Kate Williams said, “Blind people forget that employers need them. We—the blind—have vast skillsets. We are scientists, artists, journalists, you name it. Often our blindness has nothing to do with our careers, except that it can make us stronger, and hiring us adds a diverse voice in the workplace. I remind my students that they truly are assets to any company. It’s not just a line we feed the students; it’s a reality Employment Immersion helps them discover.”

Meghan is thrilled to be at OCB. “I’m very blessed. I’ve received so much assistance from OCB, LightHouse, my college and the disability community. It’s nice to be giving back and helping other people with disabilities, specifically blind people, get the support they need.”

What makes LightHouse’s Employment Immersion unique is that we teach our students how to ask for accommodations, disclose their disability and feel confident when arriving at an interview with a white cane. Meghan notes that being in the Employment Immersion program was positive because she was working towards the same goal—getting a job—with a group of peers who were experiencing similar challenges. “My class shared experiences and encouraged each other. I knew I wasn’t alone, which had an enormous impact on my success.” Kate reiterates this point, “Meghan’s self-confidence soared during her participation in the program. She began to recognize her value as she worked with her colleagues. Their encouragement and validation of her talents propelled her to apply for positions and interview with a ‘can do’ attitude!”

We asked Meghan to share a specific lesson she learned from her job-seeking journey. “Keep trying! You won’t get every job you apply for. Interviews can be disappointing. Not every position you apply to is a fit.” She stresses, “But it’s worth the effort. Don’t give up, don’t get frustrated; just keep going. You’ll get there, especially with Kate by your side! Kate reminded me that people hire people. Once I figured that out, I performed better in my interviews, and ultimately I got the perfect job for me.”

If you think that Employment Immersion might help you land the job of your dreams, but are worried about starting the program, Meghan has this piece of advice: “Just do it!” Employment Immersion works with people who are blind from any background, seeking any job. To learn more, contact Jobseeker Coordinator Wanda Pearson at WPearson@old.lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-431-1481 x370.

LightHouse News

Thank You to Our Community Partners

Thank you to the following foundations, corporations and individuals who have recently shown their support by providing significant funds to help our programs go further and reach higher:

Alice Phelan Sullivan Corporation – for general operating support
American Honda Foundation – for STEM programming
Bellini Foundation – for general operating support
Bryan Buhrow – for Enchanted Hills Redwood Grove Theater
Marie-Anne Burkhard – for general operating support
Camberview Partners – for general operating support
C. Edward & Edith Strobel Charitable Trust – for Employment Immersion
Charitable Adult Rides & Services – for general operating support
Carla Crahan – for general operating support
Michael Dellar – for general operating support
Delong-Sweet Family Foundation – for general operating support
Dodge & Cox Investment Managers – for general operating support
Thomas Ellis – for the Campaign for a 21st Century LightHouse and for Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind
Eva L. McKenzie Memorial Fund – for Employment Immersion
George Sandy Foundation – for Enchanted Hills Camp Scholarships
David Harrison – for the Campaign for a 21st Century LightHouse
Fred and Virginia Herzer – for general operating support
Carol James – for Music Academy and for the Campaign for a 21st Century LightHouse
Jewish Family and Children’s Services – for general operating support
Dwight Johnson – for general operating support
Susan Katz-Snyder – for general operating support
Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Swingle Foundation – for Enchanted Hills Camp
Susan Lapin and Kenneth Ward – for Enchanted Hills Camp
The Marmor Foundation – for general operating support
Suzanne Melchior – for general operating support
Linda and David Myers – for the Campaign for a 21st Century LightHouse
Maxwell Myers – for general operating support
Ian Paget – for the Campaign for a 21st Century LightHouse
Rachel Perkins – for Enchanted Hills Camp
Luciana Profaca – for the Campaign for a 21st Century LightHouse and for general operating support
Fred Ruhland – for the Campaign for a 21st Century LightHouse
S.A. Camp Companies – for general operating support
Donald Schaefer – for general operating support
Richard Schoenberger – for general operating support
Michele Spitz – for providing tickets to JCC performances
Richard Stevens and Virginia Behm – for general operating support
Chuck and Elizabeth Travers – for general operating support
USABA – for LightHouse Community Services
US Bank – for the Campaign to Build a 21st Century LightHouse
Shelia O. Whittemore – for general operating support
The William G. Irwin Charity Foundation – for the Campaign for a 21st Century LightHouse

LightHouse News

Are You a Vision Instructor or Other Blindness Professional? Come to Provider’s Weekend at Enchanted Hills This May

6 Commentson Are You a Vision Instructor or Other Blindness Professional? Come to Provider’s Weekend at Enchanted Hills This May

Free to first timers!

For over 20 years the LightHouse has hosted Provider’s Weekend, our signature event where teachers, managers, program staff and students entering the blindness field can meet and network throughout a long weekend.

Be sure to reserve May 20 to 22 now for an enlarged and far-ranging Provider’s Weekend at Enchanted Hills Retreat in Napa.

When: May 20–22, 2016
Where: Enchanted Hills Retreat
Cost: $100.00 (free for first-time participants)

May is the perfect month to swim in our heated pool, meet others in the warm evening around the campfire, and wrestle with bigger questions that take a bit more time than available around the office water cooler. You’ll meet service providers working in the field of blindness from all over northern California, in workshops and presentations. You’ll exchange practical ideas and build a network you might not otherwise have. You might even find your next job.

Stay in a lakeside cabin, the lodge or one of our fully accessible cabins next to the dining hall. The cost for the weekend, including all meals, is $100.00. In addition to discussing philosophies, trends and issues we face in providing services for people with visual impairments, you can enjoy boating on Lake Lakoya, trails for hiking and savory meals provided by a wonderful kitchen staff. You’ll learn from your peers, relax in a natural setting with many educational and recreational opportunities. And it’s not unheard of to find a drop or two of Napa wine from the neighborhood, too.

Special Incentive for First Time Attendees!
As a special incentive for first-time attendees of Provider’s Weekend – have the weekend on us. The free retreat is the least we can do to honor those who are helping shape the blindness field across northern California.

So mark your calendars now and reserve space before it’s gone. We expect with the flood of new faces we’ll fill all available cabins well before May.

For information and reservations contact Tony Fletcher at 415-694-7319 or tfletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Buy Tickets Now to the VIBES2: Just for Fun! Fundraiser to Support LightHouse Music Academy

Armando's logoEnjoy good food, live music and entertainment by blind performers, plus a fabulous raffle and auction at Joyce Cid’s VIBES2: Just for Fun! Event. (VIBES stands for Visually Impaired and Blind Entertainment Sunday.)

When: Sunday, April 3, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Armando’s, 707 Marina Vista, Martinez CA 94553, (925) 228-6985

Come hungry – Roxx on Main will be providing food for purchase.

All proceeds to benefit Music Academy at Enchanted Hills Camp. Purchase tickets to VIBES.

To donate raffle and auction items, contact Joyce Cid at (925) 372-7632 or Tosha Davis at (925) 818-1687. To learn more about the event, please contact Megara Vogl at (415) 694-7335 or mvogl@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

About Music Academy
Music Academy at Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind is a 10-day summer workshop for serious blind musicians to take their music to the next level, meet other blind musicians, learn to read, write and record music accessibly, and how to be a success in the field of music.

Read more about Music Academy.

Music Academy draws young motivated blind and musicians with low vision from around the nation. Donate to support Music Academy.

Joyce Cid

LightHouse News

Feb 18 Registration Deadline Looms for Braille Challenge

1 Commenton Feb 18 Registration Deadline Looms for Braille Challenge

When: February 27, 2016
Where: The California School for the Blind
Deadline to register is February 18, 2016

Registration is well under way for the Northern California Braille Challenge which will be held and hosted by the California School for the Blind, in collaboration of LightHouse for the Blind, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Junior Blind-Northern California and Lions Center for the Blind.

The day will include speakers who are past Braille Challenge national winners, workshops for parents and teachers and a wonderful day of braille focused events.

Parents and teachers need to complete the 2016 Permission form and return it by February 18, 2016 to CSB, Attn: Sharon Sacks, 500 Walnut Ave., Fremont, CA 94536.

If you have questions feel free to contact Alice McGrath, Community Relations Manager at amcgrath@vistacenter.org or call 650 858-0202, ext. 130.

LightHouse News

New Cultural Offerings for the LightHouse Community

Enjoy Arts and Ideas Performances, Lectures, Live Podcast Recordings and More

Thanks to the generosity of donor Michele Spitz, this spring, LightHouse’s Blind and Low Vision community can enjoy complimentary tickets to entertaining speakers and performances of many genres at the JCC of San Francisco. Tickets are available for these shows:

2/8  Assaf Gavron
2/16 Better Living Through Criticism
2/19 Call your Girlfriend
2/22 Curls Night Out
3/24 Dixie De La
5/2  Googling Sex
5/31 Movies and Jewish Sexuality

Read more about the shows. For details about ticket availability contact Community Services’ Beth Berenson at info@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

LightHouse YES: Youth Employment Series – January through May 2016

On Saturday January 30, the LightHouse Youth Program launches its latest program for low vision and blind transition aged students. LightHouse YES is a series of day long workshops designed to help low vision or blind transition-aged students to be prepared to become successfully employed.

This informative new series will provide low vision and blind transition-aged youth with vital skills and practices that will help them become more successful in higher education and their chosen career path.

First Workshop: Exploring Career Paths
Saturday, January 30, 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters

Our first segment of our new LightHouse Youth Employment Series will consist of an in-depth discussion about career exploration.  Students will learn about all sorts of careers from successful low vision and blind individuals in a wide variety of fields. At the end of this workshop, students will have learned techniques and methods they can use to research career paths so that they can attempt to find the best job suited to them.

Save the Date for the February workshop: Saturday, February 20
During the next LightHouse Youth Employment Series workshop, students will learn how to appropriately assess their skills and needs in order to get the most appropriate accommodations for school, work and beyond.  A more in-depth description of February’s workshop will be available shortly.

If you would like more information or to register for the workshop please contact Jamey Gump, Youth Services Coordinator, at 415-694-7372 or by email at jgump@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Youth Employment Series of Workshops
Through a variety of speakers and collaborative activities led by successful blind or low vision professionals, students will gain invaluable wisdom that can help them grow and shape themselves into competent blind adults.

Held at LightHouse San Francisco Headquarters
9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on the following Saturdays:
January 30
February 20
March 26
April 30
May 21

The workshops will teach students to:

  • Effectively navigate through any system to ensure you receive necessary accommodations.
  • Learn about accommodations available to college students and those entering the workforce.
  • Acquire access technology skills which can be applied to real world situations, and test how effective these technologies might be for yourself.
  • Acquire and use blindness skills that will enrich your life and help you achieve your goals, be more confident and learn how to advocate for your needs.
  • How to smoothly transition into college from high school or from college to a career.
  • Develop Effective cover letters and resumes.
  • Practice networking, participate in mock interviews, and understand how to make a strong and positive first impression.
  • Learn how to develop, enhance and utilize your network and your relationship with peers and mentors.
  • And learn much more.

Who is eligible?
Low Vision and Blind youth and transition-aged students

Is there a cost?
The cost to attend one of the LightHouse Youth Employment Series workshops is $150 per student. In addition to the day’s activities and curriculum, students will receive a light breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day. DOR authorizations or alternate payment source must be secured before students will be eligible to participate.