LIGHTHOUSE OF BROWARD COUNTY INC

ADULT - SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT THE ORGANIZATION'S FACILITY, AS WELL AS IN THE COMMUNITY, FOR BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS OVER THE AGE OF 21 THROUGH THE VITAL LIVING AND WORKING SOLUTIONS PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS TEACH SKILLS LEADING TO MORE INDEPENDENCE AT HOME, SCHOOL, WORK, OR IN THE COMMUNITY. SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO MEET AN INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS AND CAN INCLUDE ANY COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING: INSTRUCTION FOR SAFE INDOOR/OUTDOOR TRAVEL, USE OF TECHNOLOGY INCLUDING COMPUTERS AND SMART PHONES WITH ACCESSIBLE SOFTWARE, SELF-ADVOCACY AND RESOURCES, ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING (INCLUDING SAFE COOKING SKILLS, PERSONAL GROOMING, MONEY IDENTIFICATION, MEDICATION AND HOME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES), DIABETES MANAGEMENT, BRAILLE, ADJUSTMENT TO BLINDNESS AND PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING, AND JOB READINESS TRAINING. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED DIRECT SERVICES TO APPROXIMATELY 500 ADULTS DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024. ADDITIONALLY, CONTINUING EDUCATION SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO AN APPROXIMATE 1,700 FORMER CLIENTS THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S LIFETIME LEARNERS PROGRAM.

TEENLIFE (LEARNING INDEPENDENCE FROM EXPERIENCE) (AGES 14 - 21) PROVIDES BOTH GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION YEAR ROUND. TEAMS LEARN TO DEVELOP VOCATIONAL GOALS, WORK HABITS, INTERVIEWING SKILLS AND COLLEGE EXPECTATIONS. THEY ALSO WORK SUMMER JOBS, IMPROVE COMPUTER SKILLS, ACQUIRE BRAILLE LITERACY, BUILD SOCIAL SKILLS, PREPARE MEALS AND BUDGETS AND USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION; FURTHER STRENGTHENING SKILL SETS INTRODUCED IN YOUNGER PROGRAMMING. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED OVER 5,900 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION TO APPROXIMATELY 45 TEENS DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024.