My Nonprofit Reviews

My name is Joan Spector. I’ve been a volunteer at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired for more than 5 years, and it never ceases to amaze me. I originally volunteered to write a monthly blog for this Miami-based non-profit. More than 60 months later, I am still doing so. In truth, I am the one who has truly benefited from the opportunity to meet, interview and write about the many incredibly dedicated members of the Miami Lighthouse staff, starting with its most amazing member, President and CEO Virginia Jacko.
Lately, I have been fascinated by Miami Lighthouse’s new and very innovative Pre-Kindergarten program for four- and five-year-olds. To my knowledge, what makes it so remarkable is the fact that for the very first time in the nation, this is a program designed for 50% visually impaired and 50% sighted children. The children play and learn together, and I can tell you from my own experience it is very hard to tell the difference between them. It is such an innovative program that The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County is funding a longitudinal study to see how it affects the children as they enter the public school system.
I’ve interviewed several of the mothers of the children in the program. One of my favorites was Anisia, mother of Julian. What she had to say pretty much says it all.
“My son Julian is one of the sighted children in the Miami Lighthouse’s Pre-K program. He is totally unaware that some of his classmates are visually impaired and some are sighted like him. He’s friends with them all. That says a good deal about this remarkable school program. In my mind it is beautiful. Thank you for letting Julian have this wonderful experience.”