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LightHouse News

Become Empowered, Define Your Future, Discover You!

Discover You
A seminar presented by The Bay Area Chapters of the National Federation of the Blind of California & LightHouse for the Blind

 

Join the National Federation of the Blind of California and LightHouse for the Blind for an action-packed day. Come learn how you can live the life you want. Blind leaders in the community will present on topics such as employment, technology and recreation. Learn about your options and how you can advocate and raise expectations so that blindness need not hold you back from accomplishing your dreams.

What? A free seminar where you can learn the skills essential to success.
Continental breakfast, lunch and happy hour will be provided free
of charge!
Why? Low expectations are often the obstacles which stand between
blind people and the desire to succeed; and it is time to change
that perception.
Who? You! – Especially if you are a blind or low vision youth or adult;
have a family member who is blind; a professional in the blindness field; and anyone else who wants to have fun.
Where? LightHouse for the Blind | 214 Van Ness Avenue | San Francisco
When? Saturday august 23 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

RSVP now to Lisamaria Martinez at info@old.lighthouse-sf.org or 415-431-1481. The first 25 people to sign up will receive a gift card. Limited transportation may be arranged if there is a specific need.

LightHouse News

Attitude is Everything

Kate Williams of San Francisco is taking on a personal challenge this year at Cycle for Sight, the signature ride benefiting Enchanted Hills Camp. She will be riding 15 miles on a tandem bike, and this ride will be her first significant spin since 1997 when she began losing her vision. Kate, who is a grandmother, said, “I want to prove to myself I can do it. I did the Avon Breast Cancer walk before and I thought I couldn’t do that either. The first year I almost didn’t.” But why wouldn’t you do what you like and what you want to do.

Kate is the program manager for the LightHouse Employment Immersion Program, which helps dozens of blind people find competitive work every year. When asked why she wanted to finally get back on the horse, she said, “it just seemed like the right thing to do. LightHouse always fundraises for various programs, and I want to participate and give back. Plus, there’s a social aspect to it.” Kate advises that, “Attitude is everything, so today, be sure you pick a good one.”

It is with this intrepid attitude that Kate and her Pilot will hit the roads of Napa on Saturday, April 26 to help raise money for Enchanted Hills Camp, a program of the LightHouse for the Blind. For 64 summers, Enchanted Hills Camp has been a place where blind children and adults learn, grow and discover a new sense of self-confidence and poise.

If you’ve decided today to have an attitude of giving, donate to Cycle for Sight and support Kate William’s fundraising campaign. Simply go to our donation page and
select Cycle for Sight as your giving designation. Be sure to put Kate’s name in the “in honor of” field.

Join Team LightHouse today! Register at www.cycle4sight.com and ride with Team LightHouse. For more information, or to sign up as a tandem pilot or stoker, contact Tony Fletcher at afletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org or call 415-694-7319.

Ride on!

Profile of Kate Williams

LightHouse News

Planned Giving Guide Can Help You Reduce Taxes, Have Income For Life and Make a Difference

The LightHouse for the Blind announces the publication of a new resource for you and your family, the LightHouse Planned Giving Guide. The Guide outlines and compares a variety of methods of estate planning vehicles and the benefits of each. You have the opportunity to ensure that future generations of blind children, teens, adults and seniors receive the training and support they need to life their lives to the fullest. With your investment in the LightHouse, we can help blind and visually impaired people gain confidence and attain skills to find employment, become self-reliant, and fulfill their dreams. You can make a difference, and there are many gift options from which to choose, ranging from bequests to gifts that pay you income for life. Check out an electronic copy of our new LightHouse Planned Giving Guide here. To receive a printed or braille copy, please contact us at giving@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

Want to discuss planned gifts opportunities or notify us of your intentions? Please contact Jennifer Sachs, Director of Development, at 415-694-7333 or jsachs@old.lighthouse-sf.org.

LightHouse News

Become a Special Personal Services Volunteer

A volunteer looks on as a LightHouse client works on an art projectAre 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, or on large projects? More importantly, would you like to make a significant contribution to the life a blind or low vision person in as little as two hours per week? The LightHouse’s Personal Services Volunteer (PSV) program may be just the right fit for you.

Some examples of the daily living tasks our clients may need assistance with are: reading mail; reading books, newspapers and periodicals; writing checks, helping with letters and correspondence; organization/marking/labeling; grocery shopping with or without the client; running errands; cultural, social, sporting events; walking; companionship; transportation.

LightHouse Volunteer Don Franklin once said: “The selfless act of helping someone else, without looking for reciprocation, allows you to move outside yourself and to ‘pay it forward’ in your own community without expecting remuneration. I think I grow as a human being with every person I work with.”

For more information about LightHouse’s Personal Services Volunteer program, or any other questions related to volunteerism at LightHouse, please contact Justine Harris-Richburgh, Coordinator of Volunteer Services and Employment Immersion, at 415-694-7320 or volunteer@old.lighthouse-sf.org

LightHouse News

Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion Training at Enchanted Hills Retreat

The intensified and collaborative Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion training brings together up to 18 low vision and blind adults from all over Northern California to learn essential daily living skills; an introduction to braille and access technology; cane travel and mobility basics, and most important, the connection to other students who are also there to learn.

“With the skills, the inspirational role models and the support gleaned from [this] training experience, I feel more determined and confident that I can continue on the path to greater independence.”
-June 2013 Immersion participant, Perla Kohs

Due to huge demand and interest our September 2013 class has already filled it up. We have the following dates available in 2013 and 2014:

• Sunday, December 8 through Friday, December 13, 2013
• Sunday, March 30 through Friday, April 4, 2014
• Sunday, June 8 through Friday, June 13, 2014
• Sunday, September 7 through Friday, September 12, 2014

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 open to all Californians who are DOR clients. Transportation is provided from LightHouse offices in San Francisco, Berkeley and the North Coast.

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.

Terry Wedler works on a map with student Oma at the June 2013 Changing Vision Changing Life Immersion session (photo credit: Lorraine Miller-Wolf)

LightHouse News

The Perfect Event Space Is Waiting Just For You

Are you tired of holding your get-together in the same old space? Do you have an upcoming staff retreat, workshop, reunion or wedding that needs an exceptional place to make it the most talked about event of the year? Well, look no further because Enchanted Hills Retreat is the place to be.Main Lodge and dining hall at Enchanted Hills as seen from a distance. Lokoya Lake is in the foreground.

Book your winter event now and receive 20 percent off your daily rate!

Enchanted Hills sits atop Mt. Veeder Road in Napa and sprawls across 311 acres of redwoods, creeks, trails and some of the most breath taking sites Napa has to offer. Surrounded by nature, Enchanted Hills offers a most unique and relaxing place to hold your event. From a wedding to a reunion, our retreat space can provide you with an intimate and exclusive place to celebrate that special moment in your life. We can accommodate groups from 20 to 120. Best of all, we offer rates that simply cannot be beat.

Book now for an event between November 2013 and February 2014 and receive a 20 percent discount on your daily rate. All rental proceeds support the unparalleled programs of Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind. During the summer months, Enchanted Hills Camp is a place for blind campers to explore and create, gain courage, try new things, learn about the environment and make lifelong friends. By celebrating your special event with us you not only have an exceptional place to work or play, but you help give an exceptional summer camp experience to blind and low vision youth and adults.

So…experience the charm of Enchanted Hills this winter! To reserve your space or get more information, call 415-694-7310 or go to www.enchantedhillsretreat.com.

 

LightHouse News

LightHouse Clients Feted at Elk’s Picnic

On July 17 the Elk’s Club hosted the 37th annual Elk’s Picnic for LightHouse clients. For over 30 years Bruno Pardini and a group of Elk’s volunteers have hosted the picnic at Junipero Serra Park in San Bruno. For the past few years, Maureen Schroder and other Elk’s volunteers have assumed responsibility for coordinating the annual event. In addition to providing food and festivities, the Elk’s also donate $100.00 every year towards raffle and Bingo game prizes.

Longtime LightHouse client, Betty Washington, has been attending the annual Elk’s sponsored picnic since its inception in 1976:
“I’ve been attending the Elk’s picnic for over 35 years. It is such a wonderful event. The Elks are so gracious. They work so hard to make sure we have a good time. There’s always plenty of food, drink, laughter, and friendly faces. I think this year’s picnic was probably one of the best in recent years. Over 50 people attended, many of whom I hadn’t had contact with in years.”

Several tables full of LightHouse clients relax and enjoy the Elk’s Picnic

 

LightHouse News

Retreat for Blind Veterans

In partnership with the Veterans Administration, Enchanted Hills is planning to host a retreat for  blind and visually impaired veterans in November, 2013. The retreat is designed to bring veterans together from the Bay Area and beyond to convene, identify resources and provide opportunities to build a  community of support. If you are a veteran or know of someone that may benefit from this retreat please contact Tony Fletcher at (415) 694-7319 or tfletcher@old.lighthouse-sf.org.