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Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, elected officials, civic leaders and donors are expected to gather to celebrate the Miami Lighthouse Academy Classroom Expansion on Friday, Aug. 13, at 9 a.m.
Originally a 900-square-foot bungalow house in the 1930s, Miami Lighthouse’s facility now will encompass over 150,000 square feet of space, at 601 SW Eighth Ave., dedicated to education, training, research and vision enhancement for the blind and visually impaired from babies to seniors.
The expansion campaign was made possible by private donations in response to two challenge grants from local philanthropists. Additionally, the project was made possible by the investment of Northern Trust New Market Tax Credits and Enterprise Community Investment Inc.
Tours of Miami Lighthouse Academy will be conducted immediately after the ceremony.
“The collaboration of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Wolfberg Alvarez & Partners and Miller Construction, and the timely assistance of the City of Miami assured that a temporary certificate of occupancy would be granted prior to the fall semester so that visually impaired students enrolled in the Miami Lighthouse Academy will be able to move into their new classrooms on Aug. 23,” said Virginia A. Jacko, Miami Lighthouse president and founder.
Miami Lighthouse Academy offers a nationally recognized inclusive classroom early learning environment for students in pre-kindergarten, half with and half without vision impairment. The new specialized classrooms specific for visually impaired kindergarten, first and second grade students includes learning from both a licensed classroom teacher and a licensed teacher of the visually impaired.
For nearly a century, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind has been working to build a more inclusive society for the blind and visually impaired. The innovative programming removes barriers to education, jobs and critical eye care and unlocks the power of the internet and technology. No one’s potential should be defined by ability, age, zip code, income, race or ethnicity. The program offerings reflect the diversity of the communities served and their unique needs. Approximately 90 percent of the constituents served are low income from underserved populations.
For more information, contact Cameron Sisser, Miami Lighthouse senior vice president, at 786-362-7515 or csisser@miamilighthouse.org.
