Our Story
In 1945, the Sight Conservation Committee of the West Palm Beach Lions Club decided they wanted to provide some meaningful work for the blind of Palm Beach County. They sent a representative from the Club to the state headquarters of the Florida Council of the Blind to discuss it with Mr. Robert Barnett, who was then the executive director of FCB. As a result of the meeting, FCB conducted a survey of the services and needs of Palm Beach County and made recommendations to the Lions Club.
The recommendations were that blind-operated vending stands be established in the post office and courthouse, a sight-saving classroom be established in Central Elementary School and a sheltered workshop be established. The club undertook the entire project. The vending stands opened in the latter part of 1945. In the summer of 1946, a teacher trained at Columbia University in the techniques of teaching the visually handicapped. On January 10, 1946, Lions Industries for the Blind Inc., was chartered as a charitable, nonprofit organization for the blind, with its primary purpose being to provide employment for the blind. Bessemer Properties donated a 100’ x 200’ lot, and Thrift Inc. of Palm Beach, donated $10,000 for a building that was completed in September 1946.
The first director arrived in November of the same year. The organization has had five chief executive officers. The current president and chief executive officer is Marvin Tanck.
Thirteen years into operation, in 1959, the American Foundation for the Blind was called upon to undertake an assessment of service programs for blind persons in Palm Beach County. The kindergarten program, established in 1952, was discontinued.
The agency began by providing employment through handicrafts and weaving and gradually developed into prime manufacturing and sewing. In 1965, it associated with National Industries for the Blind, and it subsequently became a prime mover in the development and adoption of the Florida State Use Law. Both of these steps considerably strengthened the industrial center and its capacity to provide meaningful employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired people.
Other significant highlights in the development of the organization have been:
1968 - Established the Summer Enrichment Program for Pre-teens.
1971 - Inauguration of the Adjustment Training Program for Older Blind persons and outreach programs extended to Stuart in 1978 and to the Delray and Boca Raton area in 1982.
1976 - Started the Work Evaluation and Pre-vocational Training services.
1977 - The agency took over the sponsorship of a Preschool Summer Program, which had been a separate, community program in 1974 in which the agency had participated. In 1979, the Preschool Program became a full-time program of the Lighthouse.
1978 - Changed name to Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, from its original name of Lions Industries for the Blind, in order to reflect its wide range of services to blind and visually handicapped persons; and expanded the organizational base through amendment of the original Articles of Incorporation.
1988 - Added Low Vision Services to assist clients whose vision could not adequately be improved through medical intervention or regular glasses. Specially trained optometrist and Lighthouse staff held clinic.
1993 - Added new programs;
- New Insights Support Group for Blind and Visually Impaired Adults
- Computer Learning Program for Children
- Visions Support Group for Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired Children
1998 - Upgraded Technology Training Center by adding state-of-the-art hardware and software.
2006 - Agency closed
2007 - Services resumed via Merger with Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Inc.
Instructional services provided via Purchase Orders from Division of Blind Services
Socialization/Educational opportunities for participants:
- Focus Group (monthly)
- Boot-Up Club (monthly)
- Book Club (monthly)
- Educational Workshops (as scheduled)
- Outreach, community awareness (ongoing)
2008 - FAASB membership
Fundraisers (ongoing)
2009 - Summer Enrichment Program for children Kindergarten-12th grade, residing in 5 counties
Agency receives contracts with Division of Blind Services to provide services to VR, IL & IL Stimulus clients
2010 - Awarded 3 DBS ARRA contracts (Outreach, Job Readiness, Technology)
2011 - Awarded NAC accreditation for the maximum amount of five years
2012 - iPhone classes
Placement Services Agreement with DBS to assist VR clients in obtaining employment
Job Club-tips, techniques, networking activities for job seekers
Family Workshop –tips on how to help loved ones in their journey towards independence
- Focus Group (expanded to Ft Pierce)
- Boot-Up Club (expanded to Ft Pierce)
- Summer Program for children expands to year round- LITE Club (Learning Independence Through Experience)
2013 - Oversight of Orientation & Mobility intern from Florida State University and U Mass
Transition Summer Program/Transition Year Round Program
1993-95 -
- Increased services to include children to age five in the Early Intervention and Preschool Services Program.
- Established the Special Equipment Grant Program granting closed Circuit Reading and Perkins Braille machines to individuals based on financial need and other criteria.
- Provided grants up to $500 for the cost of adaptive equipment for visually impaired children (birth to 21 years of age) based on a child’s need and ability to use the equipment to assist them with their visual challenges.
- Technology Training Center expansion
- Established Aids & Appliances Store to make readily available adaptive devices for use by persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired.
1996 - Added Outreach Assistance for Seniors Program in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties.
1997 - Added Outreach Assistance for Children and Young adults, five-county area: Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties.
Became one of four pilot programs in Florida to document “best practices” for early intervention services, birth to age of five.
