THE LIGHTHOUSE SPOTLIGHT Here to guide you through 2021! At the Lighthouse we are proud to spotlight employees, board members, and community connections who impact our mission to empower the blind and vision impaired. We are excited to share these stories and further the mission of the Lighthouse.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Beeping Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 20th 10am-2pm. Join us for a FREE Blind Children's Beeping Easter Egg Hunt with many socially distanced outdoor activities for the whole family. The event will include: Tattoo Station DJ Adam Petting Zoo Pony Rides Family Portraits Balloon Artist Big Yard Games Sensory Arts & Crafts Guide Dogs of America REGISTER HERE

Low Vision Expo For anyone seeking low vision resources, the 23rd Annual Low Vision Expo presented by the Low Vision Resource Center/Owl Radio in partnership with San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will be held on March 26th from 9am-12:30pm. This is the first virtual Expo brought to you via Zoom which can be accessed with video or toll free phone call. The Expo is free, but registration is required through Eventbrite. Those who need assistance registering can call the Lighthouse at 210-531-1547.  REGISTER HERE

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

It's never too late to learn Orientation and Mobility Dana Zavorka has worked at the Lighthouse for two years now in the orientation and mobility program. Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training teaches safe and effective travel skills and techniques to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. O&M typically conducts house visits to consumers and provides the service in-house. The O&M program works with the VA and the Texas Workforce Commission – as well as senior living facilities, partnerships, and additional contracts. Dana is slightly vision impaired with a tumor on her optic nerve resulting in neuro fibromatosis. Dana decided to attend college to earn a degree in Orientation and Mobility and interned at the Lighthouse during her years in college. Shortly after she graduated college she saw a job opening in our Seniors Program for an Independent Living Skills Trainer. Because of her skills in O&M, the interviewer asked if she would like to interview for a position in the new Orientation and Mobility Department. She interviewed and was hired that same day! Throughout COVID, the department has adapted and found ways to provide their services virtually. However; Dana does say it is challenging to teach O&M virtually, especially white cane training. Dana says her favorite part of the job is building a relationship with people and helping them. It’s much easier to teach and help someone in a familiar space (like their home) with white cane training, or orientation. Virtual training has brought challenges in respect to this issue, but the O&M program continues to cater their trainings and are looking forward to the day when they will be able to do house visits again. O&M recently started some peer groups for the Blind and Visually Impaired individuals who need orientation and mobility training. The group was created to help individuals find community during the pandemic and seek additional knowledge and help from others who are in the same position.  We are so excited to see the growth of the O&M department and are looking forward to everything they accomplish in the future. If you or anyone you know would like to attend the O&M Peer Group; contact Rene Perez (210) 533-5195 ext. 2801 or email rperez@salighthouse.org

LIGHTHOUSE HIGHLIGHT

National Employment Appreciation Day National Employee Appreciation day was Friday, March 5th! To celebrate and honor our employees we hosted an ice cream social for all of our Lighthouse employees. The Lighthouse has persevered through all of the unforeseen challenges we have faced this past year and that is all thanks to the wonderful, hard working employees who create an encouraging and uplifting work environment. We would like to give a huge thank you and spotlight all of our amazing Lighthouse employees!

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

Handing Water out to Our Lighthouse Family After winter storms left San Antonians in need of basic supplies. The Lighthouse had an opportunity to provide over 100 plant employees and 50 seniors with cases of water! Over the past couple of weeks San Antonio companies and organizations have been providing food and beverages to San Antonians to help the city prevail the aftermath of the winter storm. Through these unexpected times, we are always searching for new ways to provide for the community and support those in need. We're thankful San Antonio is safe and has persevered as a community.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌