YPOL Co-Chairs Kent Benedict, Ana Maria Rodriguez and Humberto (Bert) Gonzalez, Jr.
	Young Professionals of the Lighthouse Committee Members Kent Benedict, Co-Chair Humberto (Bert) Gonzalez, Jr., Co-Chair Ana Maria Rodriguez, Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. Brett Bielory Scarlette Carballo Norie del Valle Alex Dominguez Otto Foerster Pablo Gonzalez Jennifer Guy Michael Jimenez Dawn McIlraith David New Rebecca Osorio Rosa Rivera

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) was established in 2003 to target young professionals between 25-40 years. This volunteer group helps raise awareness and funds through various social activities in the community. Check out the Calendar of Events for more information or to learn more about YPOL membership contact Cameron Sisser at csisser@mimailighthouse.org or 786-362-7515.
 

Habify hosts Young Professionals of the Miami Lighthouse (YPOL) fundraiser for student musician’s trip to Universal Studios

On March 7th the Young Professionals of the Miami Lighthouse (YPOL) held a night of networking to help raise funds for the Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™ student trip to Universal Studios. Virginia Jacko welcomed everyone who attended the event and Christopher Block, Director of Operations at Habify, explained how to make your home comfortable, healthy, sustainable, safe, efficient and beautiful. The Better Chance Music Production Program™ student musician’s provided musical delights throughout the evening.

Learning Express hosts Young Professionals of
the Lighthouse (YPOL) Holiday Toy Drive

The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held their holiday toy drive at The Learning Express on December 4th. Children and parents gathered to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of purchasing toys for blind babies and children and laughs were provided by Ziggy the Clown. Virginia Jacko welcomed everyone who attended the event and explained to all the children about Miami Lighthouse and what her guide-dog Kieran does for a living. The YPOL Committee would like to thank Learning Express and all who purchased toys for blind and visually impaired students of Miami Lighthouse generating over 100 gifts and $500 in donations. To read the Miami Herald article on the event click the following link Toy Drive To Help Lighthouse For The Blind’s Baby Program.

	Steven and Staci Solomon, Virginia Jacko, Board Director Kent Benedict, YPOL Committee Member Michael Jimenez and Bryce Jimenez.
	Virginia Jacko tells the children about what Miami Lighthouse for the Blind does.		Ziggy the Clown performs for the children.

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.

Florida Senators and Representatives received plaques in recognition of their support of Miami Lighthouse programs (from left to right) Representative Barbara Watson, Senator Gwen Margolis, Senator Nan Rich, CEO Virginia Jacko, Senator Oscar Braynon, Representative Cynthia Stafford, Representative Jose Felix Diaz, Doral Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez and Representative Dwight Bullard.
Board Director Gloria Martin with CEO Virginia Jacko and Representative Jose Felix Diaz.		Board Director Ray Casas unveils the plaque with (from left to right) Board Director Gloria Martin, CEO Virginia Jacko, Senator Nan Rich, Representative Jose Felix Diaz and Senator Oscar Braynon.
Senator Nan Rich visits the STAR summer camp program Braille literacy class.		Senator Gwen Margolis tours the Heiken mobile eye care unit with Miami Lighthouse staff member Brenda Williamson and Maria Delgado, aide to Miami-Dade County School board member Dr. Martin Karp.
Phil Reagan, Patricia Vila Wright and YPOL Committee Member Pablo Gonzalez.		Board Director Agustin Arellano Jr., Carey Kane, Rob Bowlby and Board Director Kent Benedict.
Legislative aides accept recognition plaques (from left to right) Mary Cowart aide to Representative Cynthia Stafford, Ludie Benel intern to Representative Dwight Bullard, Julie Fishman aide to Senator Nan Rich, Lissette Vasquez aide to Senator Anitere Flores, CEO Virginia Jacko, Raquel Zuniga aide to Representative Ana Rivas Logan, George Fossett aide to Representative Matt Hudson, Holly Merrill Raschein aide to Representative Ron Saunders, Matt Monica aide to Representative Luis Garcia, Tore Ciolino aide to Representative Franklin Sands, Harriet Carter Community Liaison to U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Laurie Flink Deputy District Director to U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz..
Attendees enjoy “God Bless the U.S.A” sung by Natalia Sulca.

YPOL at The Burgundy Room

The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held their second social of 2011 at The Burgundy Room on May 17th. More than 50 young professionals gathered to enjoy an evening of delightful appetizers and wine provided by The Burgundy Room. YPOL co-chairs Kent Benedict and Bert Gonzalez, Jr. welcomed attendees to the event and thanked United Teachers of Dade for their generosity in sponsoring the event. Guests heard from Virginia Jacko, President Miami Lighthouse, Karen Aronowitz, President United Teachers of Dade and Linda Weiss Rose, Department Chair Programs for the Visually Impaired MDPS, who spoke about Miami Lighthouse’s collaboration with Miami-Dade Public Schools Programs for the Visually Impaired. At the end of the night a few lucky winners of the business card raffle were awarded with a dinner for two gift certificate to Fogo de Chao and a one year membership to Normandy Gym. Photos courtesy of Caroline Lamarre.

	Matt Caglianone of The Burgundy Room, Kent Benedict Co-Chair of YPOL, Karen Aronowitz President of UTD and Virginia Jacko President Miami Lighthouse.		Janet Acheson, Karen Aronowitz and Karyn Cunningham
	Karen Aronowitz addresses the crowd		Linda Weiss Rose, Department Chair Programs for the Visually Impaired MDPS discusses the Miami Lighthouse collaboration
	Dr. Fernando Duarte and guest		Michael Jimenez, Kent Benedict and Erika Benedict
	Isabel Chica, Dr. Suzanne Diamond and Krizia Perez		Cathy Simpson and Sonja Burton
	Attendees enjoy networking		Appetizers provided by The Burgundy Room

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) host Comedy Night in the Garden

The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held their first social of 2011 at the Miami Lighthouse on February 1st. More than 50 young professionals gathered to enjoy an evening of delightful paella and wine provided by El Carajo, as well as, live music provided by Miami Lighthouse musicians and comedy hour hosted by Irene Morales, Elvis Anderson, Dan DeCotiis and Jamal Hattar.

YPOL co-chairs Kent Benedict, Ana Maria Rodriguez and Bert Gonzalez, Jr. welcomed attendees to the event and thanked El Carajo and the Comedians for their generosity in providing the wonderful ambiance for the evening’s festivities. At the end of the night a few lucky winners of the business card raffle were awarded with bottle service at UVA donated by Jamal Hattar and original ceramic pieces created and painted by Social Group Activities clients.

	Comedian Jamal Hattar tells a funny		Committee member Pablo Gonzalez, Shaun Conn and guest
	Neil Patel and Tina Patel		Rick Fonseca, El Carajo, serves paella to Anysia Welsh

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) Luncheon Underwritten
by Baptist Health South Florida

President and CEO Virginia Jacko introducing YPOL visitors to the children in the STAR summer program
Young professionals taking a tour of the new Low Vision Center and Solutions Store led by President and CEO Virginia Jacko.		Cameron Sisser, Legislative Assistant to Senator Dan Gelber, and Co-Chair Ana Maria Rodriguez, Baptist Health South Florida

The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held a luncheon and networking event at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired on June 29. Generously underwritten by Baptist Health South Florida, more than 35 young professionals gathered to enjoy the luncheon which was followed by a tour of the Miami Lighthouse.

YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict welcomed attendees to the luncheon and introduced Natalia Sulca, member of the acclaimed Miami Lighthouse music instruction program and graduate of the Transition program, who delighted guests with an inspiring vocal performance of “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

Humberto Gonzalez, Jr. and YPOL co-chair Ana Maria Rodriguez spoke to the group about the inspiring mission of the Miami Lighthouse and described the ways in which the organization changes lives. One lucky guest won the business card raffle, which included an original ceramic piece created and painted by a Social Group Activities client as well as two music CDs performed and recorded by students in the music program.

Young professionals in attendance at the luncheon were treated to a personal tour of the Miami Lighthouse by President and CEO Virginia Jacko. The tour included a visit to the new Low Vision Center and Solutions Store as well as various summer camp programs. Attendees enjoyed seeing the fun and engaging activities children participate in on a daily basis.

The 2010 Project Goal for the YPOL is to raise $10,000 for the Children’s Program to purchase note takers for blind children which will aid their educational pursuits. We thank all those in attendance for contributing towards this goal.

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) Networking Event at
Angelique Euro Café

	Angelique Euro Café co-owner Yolanda Rossi, YPOL Committee Member Otto Foerster, President and CEO Virginia Jacko, YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr., Angelique Euro Café co-owner Carlos Rossi, and YPOL Co-Chair Kent Benedict
	Carlos J. Smith, Erika Benedict, YPOL Co-Chair Kent Benedict, YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. and Nicole Bared
	YPOL Co-Chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. presenting Angelique Euro Café co-owner Yolanda Rossi with a Lighthouse ceramic made by Miami Lighthouse Social Group Activities clients

The Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) held a networking event at Angelique Euro Café in Coral Gables on September 7. More than 40 young professionals gathered to enjoy an evening of delightful food and drinks, as well as live music provided by Miami Lighthouse musicians.

YPOL co-chair Agustin Arellano, Jr. welcomed attendees to the event and thanked Angelique Euro Café owners Carlos and Yolanda Rossi for their generosity in providing the wonderful venue, as well as delicious hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine. Miami Lighthouse instructor Isabel Chica spoke to the group about how blind children are able to take notes in school and brought along a traditional Perkins Brailler and Mountbatten Brailler to demonstrate.

YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict presented one lucky winner of the business card raffle with an original ceramic piece created and painted by a Social Group Activities client. Young professionals in attendance were treated to handmade thank you cards created by children who participated in the Miami Lighthouse Summer Camp 2010.

Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) 2010 Kick-off Event at
Perricone’s Marketplace & Café

On February 24, 2010, the Young Professionals of the Lighthouse (YPOL) kicked off the 2010 year with an exclusive event at Perricone’s Marketplace & Café in downtown Miami. Over 60 young professionals gathered to celebrate the launch of the book The Blind Visionary -- the powerful, true story of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind’s President and CEO, Virginia Jacko.

The evening began with complimentary wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres -- generously provided by Perricone’s – and as the YPOL members socialized with one another, they were treated to the rich sound of jazz, skillfully performed by the talented Miami Lighthouse for the Blind musicians. All attendees received a signed copy of Virginia’s book.

YPOL co-chair Kent Benedict welcomed attendees to the event and spoke about the mission of the Young Professionals of the Lighthouse. YPOL member and father of a visually impaired child Humberto Gonzalez Jr. gave a personal account of his family’s experiences with the Blind Babies Program. Finally, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind CEO, Virginia Jacko, shared with the audience her long journey from her professional career as Director of Financial Affairs at Purdue University to becoming the leader of the Miami Lighthouse – and the lessons she had learned along the way.

The 2010 Project Goal for the YPOL is to raise $10,000 for the Children’s Program to purchase note takers for blind children, which in turn will aid their educational pursuits. We thank all those in attendance for contributing towards this goal.

	Emily Heckert, YPOL Co-Chair Kent Benedict, Erika Benedict, and President and CEO Virginia Jacko

	Sasha Hlozek, Grace Salisbury, and Elvis Anderson enjoying the music of Miami Lighthouse violinist Randy Margitza

Miami Lighthouse first sought and received NAC accreditation in 1978 and has consistently achieved NAC accreditation to the present time having received seven commendations with its five year accreditation renewal.

Miami Lighthouse ranks among the elite 4% of U.S. nonprofits having earned a 4-Start rating for five consecutive years from Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier independent nonprofit evaluator. Receiving such a distinction reflects our sound fiscal management, responsible use of donor dollars, and financial strength.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious South Florida Business Journal 2011 Excellence in Health Care Award in the Community Outreach category.

Miami Lighthouse honored by being named the recipient of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce 2010 Non-Profit Business Diamond Award.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2008 Concern Award from Health Foundation of South Florida.