Legislative Affairs
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse hosted the annual Legislative Luncheon on July 11th honoring Miami Lighthouse champions in the Florida Legislature. During the recent legislative session funding was passed for the support of our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program, as well as, our Senior Group Health and Activities Program. Appreciation was also expressed to our city and county elected officials for Elder Care funding and for assistance with the construction of our new Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™. Miami Lighthouse Board Chairman Louis Nostro welcomed the luncheon attendees after which The Star Spangled Banner was sung by Miami Lighthouse student Silvio Plata. A special thank you was given to Thais A. Asper, Regional Director of AT&T, for AT&T's generous sponsorship of this year's luncheon.
The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse hosted the
annual Legislative Luncheon on July 1st, honoring Miami Lighthouse
champions in the Florida Legislature during the recent legislative
session. Honorees in attendance included Senator Gwen Margolis,
Representative Jose Felix Diaz and Representative David Richardson. Thanks
was also extended to our governmental relations guru, Bob Levy, President
of Robert M. Levy & Associates, for his important work with the
Legislature on behalf of Miami Lighthouse.
A highlight of the event, sponsored by All Aboard Florida,
was the presentation to Miami Lighthouse of a grant by AT&T. The important
new grant will enable youth who are blind or visually impaired to engage
in activities related to broadcast journalism, expanding their options for
further education in the field and employment. The presentation was made
by Alex Dominguez, Area Director of External Affairs for AT&T.
"We are extremely honored to receive support from AT&T,"
said CEO Virginia A. Jacko. "This generous grant will significantly expand
Miami Lighthouse's High School High Tech Program and provide our students
with the opportunity to explore jobs in the communications industry."
President & CEO
Virginia Jacko meets with Florida State Senator Alan Hayes
President & CEO Virginia Jacko meets with Florida State
Senator Alan Hayes, Chair of Appropriations Subcommittee on General
Government, in Tallahassee during Dade Days 2015.
On Thursday, July 10th, the Young Professionals of Miami
Lighthouse held their annual Legislative Luncheon and networking event at
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Over ninety guests
including elected officials and aides, Miami Lighthouse board directors,
and young professionals gathered to enjoy the complimentary luncheon and
networking underwritten by All Aboard Florida. This year’s lunch honored
the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation represented by Chair Eddy
Gonzalez and the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners chaired by
Commissioner Rebeca Sosa who was represented by Manny Orbis.
The luncheon began with Miami Lighthouse Better Chance
Music Production Program™ student Leon Stewart performing The
Star-Spangled Banner on keyboard. Ray Casas, Miami Lighthouse Board
Chair-elect, welcomed attendees and introduced Miami Lighthouse Summer
Training and Recreation Program (STAR) student Silvio Plata who gave the
invocation. Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO, spoke about the inspiring
mission of Miami Lighthouse and the importance of leadership and uniting
young professionals, elected officials and Miami Lighthouse’s board
directors. Attendees were treated to a personal tour of Miami Lighthouse
and were able to see the many different activities that more than 150
children participate in on a daily basis in our summer camp. We thank all
the elected officials, board directors and young professionals who
attended the event.
Our State Representative Jose Javier Rodriguez and his
staff Jennifer Gurland, Yariel Diaz and Kayla Malone toured Miami
Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility on August 12th. He visited one of four
Heiken mobile eye care units, the Better Chance Music Production Program™
and spoke with clients in the Social Group Activities area. We thank
Representative Rodriguez and his team for spending time with us to learn
about our programs.
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse held their
annual Legislative Luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse
for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Tuesday, July 9th. Over seventy
young professionals and fifteen elected officials and aides gathered to
enjoy the complimentary luncheon and networking underwritten by All Aboard
Florida. The lunch honored Senator Denise Grimsley, Senator Gwen Margolis
and State Representative Manny Diaz, Jr for their support of Miami
Lighthouse and the Heiken Children’s Vision Program.
The luncheon began with Miami Lighthouse Better Chance
Music Production Program™ student Angel Wallace singing The Star-Spangled
Banner. Chairman of the Board Agustin Arellano Jr. welcomed attendees and
introduced Miami Lighthouse Summer Training and Recreation Program (STAR)
student Silvio Plata who gave the invocation.
Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO, spoke about the
inspiring mission of Miami Lighthouse and the importance of leadership and
uniting young professionals, elected officials and Miami Lighthouse’s
board directors. Attendees were treated to a personal tour of Miami
Lighthouse and enjoyed seeing the fun and engaging activities over 150
children participate in on a daily basis. The lunch sponsor, Jose
Gonzalez, Vice President of Corporate Development for Florida East Coast
Industries at All Aboard Florida, spoke about the new convenient,
environmentally friendly and cost-effective intercity passenger rail
service being developed between South Florida and Central Florida.
We thank our sponsor, All Aboard Florida, elected
officials, aides and all the young professionals who attended the event.
CEO Virginia Jacko visited Senator Marco Rubio and Congresswoman Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen
CEO Virginia Jacko visited Senator Marco Rubio at his office in the
Russell Senate Office Building and Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who
serves on the Congressional Vision Caucus, at her office in the Rayburn
House Office Building in April, 2013. CEO Jacko was in Washington for the
semi-annual VisionServe Alliance meeting at which she was one of three CEO
panelists on a session about board governance.
City of Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado toured Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s
facility on July 13th. He visited the children in the Summer Training and
Recreation (STAR) and Transition summer camp programs, toured the Better
Chance Music Production Program™ and spoke with clients in the Social
Group Activities area. “It was quite an experience to tour Miami
Lighthouse’s programs, and I congratulate you all for the work you are
doing for our blind and visually impaired residents.” We thank Mayor
Regalado for spending time with us.
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse held their
Legislative Luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse for the
Blind and Visually Impaired on Monday, June 18th. The event was generously
underwritten by Flagler Development Company. Nineteen elected officials
were represented at the luncheon including representatives from U.S.
Senator’s Nelson and Rubio’s offices, two U.S. Congressional aides, one
State Senator and four State Representatives. Over eighty young
professionals gathered to enjoy the complimentary luncheon and networking
which were followed by a tour of the Miami Lighthouse.
The event was kicked-off with a musical performance by
Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™ students Eddy
Camacho, Stephanie Camacho, Oman Pedreira and Alexis Velasquez. Chairman
of the board of directors Michael Silva and chair-elect Agustin Arellano
Jr. welcomed attendees to the luncheon and introduced Miami Lighthouse
transition student Joey Chica to give the invocation, after which Juan
Pablo Paniagua, a Braille literacy program student, spoke about his
journey with Miami Lighthouse.
Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of Miami Lighthouse,
spoke to the group about the inspiring mission of Miami Lighthouse and the
importance of leadership and uniting young professionals, elected
officials and Miami Lighthouse’s board directors. Attendees were treated
to a personal tour of Miami Lighthouse which included the Low Vision
Center and Solutions Store, STAR and Transition summer camp programs and
the Better Chance Music Production Program™. We have 150 schoolchildren
enrolled in our summer camps. Guests enjoyed seeing the fun and engaging
activities children participate in on a daily basis here at Miami
Lighthouse. We thank our sponsor, Flagler Development Company, elected
officials, aides and all the young professionals who attended the event.
2012 Virginia Jacko and Cameron Sisser meet Governor Rick Scott at
Miami-Dade Days World Famous Paella Fest
2012 Senator Gwen Margolis presents Miami Lighthouse for the Blind a
Senate resolution recognizing 80 years of service to the Miami-Dade
community.
On January 17th 2012 Senator Gwen Margolis presented Virginia Jacko, and
Kieran, of the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind with a Senate resolution
recognizing Miami Lighthouse on 80 years of the service to the Miami-Dade
community. You can view the entire resolution by
clicking here.
2011
Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) host the “Miami Lighthouse
Legislative Luncheon” Underwritten by Flagler Development Company
The Young Professionals of Miami Lighthouse held their Legislative
Luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and
Visually Impaired on Monday, June 27th. The event was generously
underwritten by Flagler Development Company. Sixteen elected officials
were represented at the luncheon including three State Senators, four
State Representatives and two U.S. Congressional aides. Sixty young
professionals gathered to enjoy the complimentary luncheon and networking
which were followed by a tour of the Miami Lighthouse.
The event began with elected officials assembled to view the unveiling of
a plaque commemorating legislative support for Miami Lighthouse programs.
Board member Agustin Arellano Jr. then welcomed attendees to the luncheon
and introduced Natalia Sulca, assistant instructor in the acclaimed Miami
Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™, who delighted guests
with an inspiring vocal performance of “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of Miami Lighthouse, spoke to the group
about the inspiring mission of Miami Lighthouse and described the ways in
which the Florida Legislature helps Miami Lighthouse transform the lives
of the blind and visually impaired, from babies to seniors. Elected
officials and young professionals in attendance were treated to a personal
tour of Miami Lighthouse which included one of our Heiken mobile eye care
units, Low Vision Center and Solutions Store, STAR and Transition summer
camp programs and the Better Chance Music Production Program™, programs in
which 125 schoolchildren are enrolled this summer. Attendees enjoyed
seeing the fun and engaging activities children participate in on a daily
basis here at Miami Lighthouse. We thank our sponsor, Flagler Development
Company, elected officials, aides and all the young professionals who
attended the event.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2, visited Miami
Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility on June 22nd. He toured one of the
Heiken mobile eye care units and heard a performance by students in the
Better Chance Music Production Program™. “As a musician, it was a real
treat to hear the students in the Miami Lighthouse music program perform,”
said Commissioner Monestime. We thank Commissioner Monestime for taking
time to tour our facility.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell, District 8, visited Miami
Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility on June 15th. She visited one of the
Heiken mobile eye care units, children in the STAR summer camp program,
and heard a performance by students in the Better Chance Music Production
Program™. “I was delighted to have had the opportunity to tour the Miami
Lighthouse and witness firsthand the remarkable programs they offer our
community.” We thank Commissioner Bell for taking time to tour our
facility.
Florida State Senators, Representatives and their aides visited schools
located in their districts to see The Miami Lighthouse Florida Heiken
Children's Vision Program at work. The Florida Heiken mobile eye care unit
travelled across the State from Monroe to Pinellas to Gadsden Counties.
The Florida Heiken Program will ensure that schoolchildren in Florida's
public schools who have no other access to eye care will no longer have to
struggle because of poor vision. As the successful bidder in response to a
Department of Health RFP, the Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program was
awarded a contract in 2011 to provide free comprehensive eye examinations
and eyeglasses to financially disadvantaged schoolchildren who had no
other source for vision care. The contract covers 62 Florida counties
(from which Orange, Seminole, Lake and Volusia counties are excluded).
“It was awesome, such a fabulous program. I took some pictures with Carmen
and Dr. Ramirez and got to sit in on 4 or 5 screenings and helped kids
pick out their new glasses. Such a rewarding way to start the week. It was
sad to hear some of their stories. Thank you for the invite!”
- Holly Merrill Raschein Legislative Aide to
Representative Ron Saunders
“Thank you so much for inviting us. I was very impressed with the
screenings that were given. Dr. Wolynski was great and works so well with
the children. I have relayed my experience to the Representative. Thank
you again.”
- Kim Hamilton Legislative Aide to Representative
Denise Grimsley
2011 Representative Matt Hudson (R- Naples) visited Miami Lighthouse
for the Blind’s facility
Representative Matt Hudson (R- Naples), chair of healthcare appropriations
in the Florida House visited Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s facility on
May 17th. He visited with mothers and blind babies, social group activity
clients, computer and technology training students and got a performance
by students in the Better Chance Music Production Program™. Representative
Hudson stated “I was humbled to see the hard work and dedication of so
many people committed to enriching the lives of the visually impaired.” We
thank Representative Hudson for his time to tour our facility.
Representative Matt Hudson (R- Naples), chair of healthcare appropriations
in the Florida House, visited Mike Davis Elementary on Friday, February
25th to see The Miami Lighthouse Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program
at work. The Florida Heiken mobile eye care unit travelled to Collier
County where 39 students were examined and prescription glasses will be
provided at no cost to 33 of the students. The Florida Heiken Program will
ensure that schoolchildren in Florida's public schools who have no other
access to eye care will no longer have to struggle because of poor vision.
As the successful bidder in response to a Department of Health RFP, the
Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program was awarded a contract in 2011 to
provide free comprehensive eye examinations and eyeglasses to financially
disadvantaged schoolchildren who had no other source for vision care. The
contract covers 62 Florida counties (from which Orange, Seminole, Lake and
Volusia counties are excluded).
Virginia Jacko, Carol Brady-Simmons and Cameron Sisser traveled to
Tallahassee on February 7th and 8th to visit legislators about the Florida
Heiken Children’s Vision Program. In addition to spreading the word about
the fact that the program will serve 10,000 underprivileged students this
year alone, the Miami Lighthouse team also attended the Fifth Annual
Florida Vision Summit hosted by the Vision Caucus of The Florida
Legislature and The Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind.
2010
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Visits,
Speaks to U.S. House of Representatives about Miami Lighthouse
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen visited Miami Lighthouse during our
summer campus in both 2009 and 2010. She is a co-chair and founding member
of the Congressional Vision Caucus, supports better access to vision care
for families, and supported HR 507, Vision Care for Kids Act, which was
adopted in the House of Representatives to award grants to states to
provide comprehensive eye examinations by a licensed optometrist or
ophthalmologist for children and provide treatment or services to correct
vision problems of children.
On September 14, 2010 Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen spoke to the U.S. House
of Representatives about the services and programs provided by the Miami
Lighthouse.
On July 12, Congresswoman
Ros-Lehtinen, joined by Mr. Benjamin Leon and members of the National
Association of Women Judges, gathered to give a hands-on lesson in
criminal justice and law careers to twenty-five students in the Transition
program. Ros-Lehtinen, along with Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Nushin Sayfie;
Miami-Dade County Court Judges Myriam Lehr, Linda Singer Stein and Lisa S.
Walsh; Greenberg Traurig shareholder Ronnie Fernandez; Yara Lorenzo, law
clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King; and Nneka Utti, a
second-year law student at the University of Miami, all served as
prosecutors and defense attorneys in the mock trial meant to encourage
minority high school students to pursue careers in law.
The “Color of Justice” program had
students acting as the jury in the case of Goldilocks and the Three Bears,
listening to trial proceedings and then deliberating on the case with
their peers to reach a verdict. Association district director Judge Lisa
S. Walsh, coordinator of the “Color of Justice” event stated that the
organization encourages students with proficient Braille and computer
skills to consider pursuing careers in criminal justice and the law.
Click here to see the article U.S.
Congressswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen wrote for Diario Las Americas on August
1, 2010.
2010
Miami Lighthouse Heiken Children’s Vision Program
Honored by Miami-Dade County School Board
A proclamation recognizing the Miami
Lighthouse Heiken Children's Vision Program for distinguished services to
county schoolchildren was presented at the April 14th meeting of the
Miami-Dade County School Board.
Since its creation in 1992 by the Dade
County Optometric Association, the Heiken Program has provided over 40,000
free comprehensive eye examinations and glasses, when prescribed, to
low-income M-DCPS students who fail their state-mandated vision screening.
Click here to read the School Board
Proclamation.
2009 Federal and State Legislators
Visit the Miami Lighthouse
U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Visits Miami
Lighthouse
On July 2nd, U.S. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen visited the Miami
Lighthouse for the Blind summer camp where she watched the children
performing their daily chores and participated in their camp
activities. To read U.S. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen press release,
please visit
http://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=499.
To read an article by U.S. Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen featured
in Diario Las Americas, please
click here.
2008 Miami-Dade Public Library System,
Talking Books Service Honored by the Library of Congress
As a key community partner with the Miami-Dade Public Library System,
Talking Books Service, Miami Lighthouse was honored to be invited to
the July 21st County Commission meeting with Mayor Carlos Alvarez &
Library Director Raymond Santiago at which the Talking Book Service
was recognized by the Library of Congress as the 2008 Network
Subregional Library of the Year based upon collaboration with Miami
Lighthouse.
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