In honor of the Martin Luther King Day of Service 2013, American Red Cross (ARC) Bay Area Chapter and SF LightHouse will launch the 1st Annual Bay Area Blind Blood Drive on January 9th, 2013 in partnership with other Bay Area blind services agencies. 

Laurie Van Allen

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!

Read more about Laurie. 

The next Napa Rotary Cycle for Sight ride will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013. Sign up to ride as a cyclist and enjoy the beauty of scenic Napa and the challenge of a 15, 25 or 50 mile route with 2,000 other cyclists. Register today at  www.cycle4sight.com a nd ride for Team LightHouse! Proceeds support Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind.

Interested in piloting a tandem bike for a blind stoker? Or, are you a blind stoker in need of a pilot? Contact Tony Fletcher via email at afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7319 to join Team LightHouse today!

Cycle for Sight rider

On December 12, LightHouse was the beneficiary of Northern California Human Resources Association's (NCHRA) holiday networking social/silent auction at Bin 480 restaurant in the San Francisco Marriott-Union Square.  

LightHouse Executive Director/CEO Bryan Bashin - joined by Employment Immersion Program Director (and former NCHRA Board Member) Kate Williams - stressed the importance of not only recruiting qualified blind and low-vision job candidates, but of making job application materials fully accessible to all jobseekers. The silent auction that evening raised more than $2,200 for LightHouse. A huge thank you goes out to NCHRA!

Dan O'Connor and his "Porche", the Hobart commercial mixer

"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."

Although the LightHouse has been providing training and support to persons who are deaf-blind for over twenty years, we've recently taken on our biggest initiative yet. The new program helps deaf-blind individuals receive equipment which will give individual's accessible means to connecting with friends and family via texting, email and telephone.  

On December 14 LightHouse celebrated the holidays by taking a short trip around the world. The celebration included Rabbi Mark talking about the mitzvah of lighting the candles on Chanukah, Christmas Caroling, traditions of the Virgin de Guadalupe and Dias Las Posadas, a Kwanzaa Presentation, a holiday Chamber Music Performance of Oboe and Flute, and Buddhist chanting to celebrate Bodhi Day by members of the American Buddhist Cultural Society). Our clients, staff and friends learned and discovered the true meaning of the holiday season! 

LightHouse CEO Bryan Bashin and volunteer Tikvah make latkes in the LightHouse Training Kitchen

You can help LightHouse staff focus more effectively on giving our clients the skills necessary to live life confidently and competently by becoming a monthly donor today.

Your monthly gift will provide a reliable stream of support that is vital to putting long white canes in the hands of blind and low vision people; braille under the fingertips of those who cannot comfortably read print; and computers with text-to-speech software in front of the hundreds of clients who walk in our doors every year. Your constant and unwavering commitment is easy and can be completed in a matter of minutes by going to www.lighthouse-sf.org and clicking GIVE!

Braille Challenge participant

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.

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.

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@lighthouse-sf.org, or visit www.lighthouse-sf.org to download a volunteer application.

Enchanted Hills is a rustic retreat center located on beautiful Mt. Veeder in Napa. This affordable wine country retreat boasts a small lake, several rushing creeks, miles of nature trails for hiking, a heated outdoor swimming pool and a variety of breakout rooms for groups from 30 to 150.  

Year round, it can be used for family reunions, yoga workshops, weddings, spiritual retreats, company off-site meetings or seminars. There are flexible service options including tasty, home-style meals and more.

Read more about Enchanted Hills Retreat. 

Enchanted Hills hiking trail surrounded by greenery

Employment Immersion Summit participant Ramona Herriford.

For over 110 years, The LightHouse for the Blind has been providing learning, enrichment, community and peer support for blind and visually impaired individuals. Yes, we are the blind leading the blind!

You can help sustain the LightHouse for the Blind's life-affirming programs by making a planned gift.

For more information, consult with your attorney or contact the LightHouse for the Blind at 415-694-7333. With your Legacy Gift, you make a promise to future generations that outstanding programs for the blind will be available throughout Northern California and beyond.In the last six months the LightHouse has been the grateful recipient of almost 1.5 million in planned gifts. These gifts support our programs, infrastructure and ability to provide the highest quality services to the blind and low vision community.

Have you included the LightHouse for the Blind in your will? By informing us of your Legacy Gift, you can help the LightHouse for the Blind prepare for the future. And just as important, you give us the opportunity to thank you for your generosity. Please notify us of your intentions by calling 415-694-7333 or jsachs@lighthouse-sf.org.

Enchanted Hills Camp is seeking a donated trailer that can house temporary staff member(s) from April thru October of 2013. For example, one very dedicated volunteer (who is visually impaired and is a former camper), would like to volunteer in our kitchen all summer! All we need is housing.

The trailer needs to be a comfortable insulated sleeping space with some space for personal affects. Extras such as bath/shower, heating, refrigeration would be appreciated but not necessary. Please contact Tony Fletcher at 415-694-7319 or  afletcher@lighthouse-sf.org.

Asking $850.00 for a gently used Merlin 22-inch LCD video magnifier from Enhanced Vision. Unit is in excellent condition and is clean and free of any defects. Original user manual. Includes a nice table/desk. Unit is in Modesto, California. For more information or to purchase call Virginia Gandrup at 209-575-2673 or email mieka@sbcglobal.net.