Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Lighthouse of Broward County, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: LHOB
Mailing Address: 5901 Del Lago Circle
City: Sunrise
State: Florida
Postal Code: 33313-9893
Main Phone: 954-463-4217
Main Fax: 954.764.3825
Organization Website: www.lhob.org
Employer ID Number: 59-1650909
Organization Tax Status: 501-C-3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 5, 2024
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Children’s Services to Independence Program (CSTI)
Project Description:

CSTI is dedicated to empowering blind and visually impaired (BVI) youth in Broward County, offering a range of beneficial, recreational, and educational programs designed to foster development and independence. We have proudly relocated to a larger facility in Sunrise, FL, enabling us to expand our services and reach even more BVI youth across Broward County. Currently, CSTI serves 94 BVI children under 13 and their families, including 35 participants in the LHOB Bright Beginnings Early Intervention Program for infants to five-year-olds. This program focuses on enhancing remaining senses and vision (hearing, touch, taste, smell, and proprioceptive) through play therapy, which encompasses cognitive knowledge, communication, assistive technology, and compensatory skills alongside sociability, personal hygiene, and motor skills development. Our staff conducts thorough assessments to create personalized education plans for each child.
We offer year-round programming for older children aged 6 to 13, including academic enrichment, field trips, and recreational activities during non-school days, Saturdays, and summer breaks. These programs emphasize safe travel, cooking, self-care, Braille, computer use, polite social interaction, self-determination, and self-advocacy, following the evidence-based Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). STEAM elements are integrated into activities and education, facilitated by our experienced Teachers of the Visually Impaired, ensuring personalized attention in one-on-one or small group settings.
Our services include necessary equipment for social and educational advancement. Notably, many CSTI participants have multiple disabilities. Given the School Board of Broward County’s reports of an increasing trend in BVI children with co-occurring disorders, CSTI plays a crucial role in bridging the gap for children who are otherwise excluded from their school’s Visually Impaired Program, promoting academic and life success for BVI children in our community.

Total Project Budget: $866,286

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): ): Division of Blind Services; United Way of Broward County; The Batchelor Foundation; Henry L. & Kathryn Mills Foundation; Hoffa Memorial Foundation; Joe Sonken Trust; Kegel Foundation, Negley Flinn Foundation, Gore Foundation, Deaver Phoenix Foundation, The William R. Watts Foundation, Inc, and the First Horizon Foundation.

Project Duration: Year-Round
Geographical Area Served: Broward County, FL
Age Group To Be Served: Birth to 13 years old

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Mr.
Contact First Name: Jose
Contact Last Name: Lopez-Masso
Contact Title: VP of Strategic Initiatives & Development
Contact Phone: 954-463-4217 ext. 141
Contact Email: jlopez@lhob.org