Lighthouse Vision Loss Center

01/26/2026

Our Transition teens had an incredible day at the St. Pete Boat Show this weekend! ⚓🌊

Huge thank you to Ed Wiser, Carolina Salas, Cindy Dobyns, and the amazing team at the Annapolis School of Seamanship for providing tickets and leading an awesome hands-on class where students learned about different nautical knots and their real-world uses. 🪢✨

While the weather kept us from our scheduled boat ride, the crew quickly pivoted and gave our teens meaningful, hands-on rope work and even some fun fishing lessons instead 🎣 — turning it into an unforgettable learning experience anyway!

We’re so grateful to Ed, Cindy, and Carolina for going above and beyond to create such a welcoming, educational, and fun day for our students. Partnerships like these make a lasting impact. Thank you for supporting our teens! 💙🙌

01/26/2026

Last weekend our Transition teens put their Orientation & Mobility skills to the test out in the community — and WOW, we saw some big confidence boosts! 👏🦯✨

Arabella bravely tackled the escalator (a huge personal goal!) and conquered it like a champ with support and supervision from Ms. Laura. Facing challenges like this helps build independence and self-trust, and she walked away so proud of herself! 💪🌟

Piper and her adorable guide dog Murray also took on a fun challenge — navigating a maze of mirrors and glass! 🐕‍🦺🪞 Murray definitely had to think this one through, but the duo worked together beautifully and made it through safe and sound. Teamwork at its finest! ❤️

We love creating opportunities for our teens to stretch their skills, try new things, and grow their confidence in real-world environments. So proud of everyone for stepping outside their comfort zones! 🙌🎉

01/26/2026

Huge shoutout and THANK YOU to our wonderful ADL instructor, Ms. Laura, for helping make this weekend’s overnight lock-in such a success! 🧡✨

We kicked things off by going all out for brunch — eggs, bacon, sausage, croissants, cinnamon rolls, and more. It was a full-on feast and the perfect opportunity for students to practice safe cooking, teamwork, and independent kitchen skills. 🥓🍳🥐😋

Later, our teens worked on “Cooking Without Looking” skills by creating their own personalized pizzas for dinner, building confidence with safe techniques and showing awesome independence in the kitchen. 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳🍕✨

After a busy day at the carnival and UTC Mall, everyone came back hungry and excited to cook again — real-life skills in action and lots of proud moments!

Ms. Laura is always patient, encouraging, and hands-on with our students, and the teens truly adore her. We are so grateful for the care, supervision, and positivity she brings to every activity. She makes such a difference in their confidence and independence. 💛🙌

01/05/2026

The Children’s Program celebrated the season with a joyful holiday gathering full of learning, connection, and fun. Families teamed up to build gingerbread houses while parents took part in Parent University, creating a meaningful experience for everyone. Children also enjoyed a festive ADL cooking lesson, preparing Christmas-themed pigs in a blanket with a special guest instructor. The day wrapped up with big smiles and laughter during a ride on the conference bike, where children practiced teamwork and steering together — a perfect ending to a memorable celebration.

12/31/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, here's one last opportunity to make a tax deductible donation and support the programs and services offered by Lighthouse.

You can double your gift (up to $500) by making it through the Flanzer Trust.

Flanzer website link: https://donate.flanzertrust.org/donations/lighthouse-vision-loss-education-center/

OR

donate directly to Lighthouse: onecau.se/_er2p61

Happy New Year!

12/25/2025

This holiday season, we’re grateful for the light we share with our community —
the strength, resilience, and hope that shine even in the darkest moments.

From all of us at the Lighthouse Vision Loss Center,

Happy Holidays 🤍✨
May your season be filled with warmth, connection, and possibility.

12/15/2025

Technology is constantly changing — and you don’t have to navigate it alone or be frustrated!

Lighthouse Technology Solutions offers patient, one-on-one tech support designed specifically for seniors and individuals with low vision. We move at your pace, explain things clearly, and help you feel confident and connected.

From smartphones and computers to smart TVs and accessibility tools, our team is here to make technology easier — not overwhelming.

✨ Remote or in-home support available
💙 All proceeds support Lighthouse Vision Loss Center programs

📞 (941) 404-2003
🌐 lighthousets.org
Email Tory: tory.menifee@lighthouseeducationcenter.org

12/15/2025

When vision changes, life doesn’t stop—it transforms.
At the Lighthouse Vision Loss Center, we walk alongside individuals and families impacted by vision loss, providing education, tools, and compassionate support that restore confidence and independence.

Every journey looks different.
Every person matters.
And every step forward is worth celebrating.

Because independence is possible.
Because community makes the difference.
And when it goes dark, we bring the light. ✨

12/08/2025

🎁✨ Lighthouse Gift Exchange ✨🎁

There’s nothing quite like the joy of coming together as a Lighthouse family. Our annual Gift Exchange was filled with laughter, connection, and the kind of heartfelt moments that remind us how special this community truly is.

From thoughtful surprises to shared smiles, today was a beautiful reminder that the greatest gifts we give each other are kindness, support, and a sense of belonging.

We are so grateful for every staff member, volunteer, and friend who brings warmth and light to the Lighthouse Vision Loss Center—especially during this magical time of year.

Here’s to joy, togetherness, and a season filled with gratitude. 💛✨
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Lighthouse!

12/08/2025

✨ Celebrating Excellence at the Lighthouse! ✨

Please join us in once again celebrating our incredible Judi Boylan, who has been honored with the Michael Phillips Award for Excellence in Assistive Technology — a prestigious statewide recognition awarded annually by FAAST.org.

This award shines a spotlight on individuals who go above and beyond to make assistive technology accessible, empowering, and life-changing for people with disabilities. And if you know Judi… you know that is exactly who she is.

Judi leads with heart.
She serves with dedication.
She transforms lives every single day.

From guiding clients toward independence, to educating our community, to bringing patience, expertise, and warmth to every interaction — Judi embodies the very spirit this award was created to honor.

We could not be prouder to have her as part of the Lighthouse Vision Loss Center family.

Congratulations, Judi! Your work illuminates possibilities, inspires hope, and uplifts everyone around you. Thank you for being a true beacon of light. 💛✨

12/04/2025

🎉

We’re honored to share that Be My Eyes has won the 2025 Apple App Store Award in the Cultural Impact category! 🎉

Out of more than 2 million apps on the App Store, only 45 were nominated across all categories, and just 12 winners were selected. To be recognized in Cultural Impact is an extraordinary honor, and a powerful validation of what our community has built together.

This award is also a heartfelt recognition of our founder, Hans Jørgen Wiberg, whose vision has helped millions connect, support one another, and make the world more accessible.

To our global community - blind and low-vision users, volunteers, partners, and team members thank you. This award belongs to all of you! 💙

12/02/2025

✨ It’s Giving Tuesday! ✨
Join the Movement & Give Back TODAY!

Every dollar you give on Giving Tuesday becomes a building block for a brighter future—one where individuals experiencing vision loss have access to education, employment opportunities, independence, and a supportive community.

Your gift isn’t just a donation; it’s the key to unlocking potential and opening a world of possibilities for those we serve.

This Giving Tuesday, join us in illuminating hope and transforming lives at the Lighthouse Vision Loss Center. Your generosity is a catalyst for change, a testament to compassion, and a beacon of empowerment for our community.

Thank you for considering a gift today.
Together, let’s shine a light on possibility and create a more inclusive world for all.

Donate now: https://www.lighthouseeducationcenter.org/donate