PRE-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)

Being a teenager is difficult. Being a teenager with a visual impairment presents a whole new set of challenges. With these teens in mind, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers pre-employment transition services. Providing individuals 14-22 the opportunity to develop skills to enter the work force or post-secondary education, the program teaches students home and personal management, assistive technology, job readiness, orientation and mobility, social skills, and community integration. Miami Lighthouse also offers a Music Summer Program; an inclusion program comprised of blind and sighted young adults working side by side producing and performing music. For more information click here.

Students learn practical skills, such as preparing their own meals using safe techniques and labeling and organizing their home to promote consistent accessibility. They also learn important employment skills, such as keeping up-to-date resumes, job interviewing, use of business technology, and getting on-the job training. The goal is simple: to help our young adults reach their full potential.

For more information, contact Betty Chavarria, Manager of Transition and Education Services, at 786-362-7523 or bchavarria@miamilighthouse.org.

Miami Lighthouse Pre-ETS/Transition Students Receive OrCam Assistive Devices

Three of our Pre-ETS/Transition students, Emily, Diandre, and Marnel received an OrCam, a portable, wearable, lightweight smart camera for blind and visually impaired persons that reads printed or digital text aloud and identifies faces, products, and paper money in real time. Diandre said, "I have an interest in the law and helping people out. I want to be a lawyer. I think this OrCam is really going to help me achieve that goal." Emily said, "The OrCam has been a great change in my life and [will positively impact] my future." According to Marnel, "The OrCam has allowed me to be more productive in life. Not only has it allowed me to be more efficient in my work, I now have the opportunity to compete in a fast-paced work environment where the size of the print does not dictate the quality and value of my work."

Miami Lighthouse is AER accredited distinguishing that an agency or school operates at the highest level of quality and is positioned to generate the outcomes needed by the clients.

Miami Lighthouse received the coveted Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce 2023 Nonprofit Business Innovative Excellence NOVO Award with an organizational budget of $2 million and above.

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has received 14 consecutive 4-star ratings, the highest rating possible, from the nation's premier independent nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator. Attaining a 4-star rating indicates that our organization adheres to sector best practices, exceeds industry standards, and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.

Early Intervention Blind Babies Program Named the Children's Trust 2016 Program of the Year. This most prestigious award recognizes this Early Intervention Program, in particular, for including parents as teachers.

Miami Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™ is a Florida gold seal and nationally Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE)

Miami Lighthouse was recognized at the 2015 Florida Blue Foundation Sapphire Awards luncheon as an organization that has demonstrated excellence and innovation in community health.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2015 Beacon Award in Education at the 13th Annual Beacon Council Awards.

Miami Lighthouse is a two-time Charity Partner (2013 and 2014) of the Marlins Foundation and a 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Legacy Partner. Our Florida Heiken Children's Vision Program has received over $300,000 in charitable donations through these partnerships.

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

Miami Lighthouse received a Silver medal at the 2016 Miami Today Gold Medal Awards Ceremony.

Miami Lighthouse named "Best of Miami" Charity 2017 by the New Times.

Miami Lighthouse received United Homecare’s 2012 Thelma Gibson Community Service Award at the 18th Annual Claude Pepper Memorial Awards Ceremony.

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 Award1.

Miami Lighthouse received the prestigious 2020 award for "Best in Nonprofit" campaign by PRWeek referred to as the "Oscars of the PR industry".