Youth Education & Recreation
As they begin their transition from youth to adulthood, youths can acquire the skills needed to live independently. Whether preparing for entry into college or the workforce, the LightHouse is able to provide assistance to help ease this transition.
By providing Recreational Activities, Educational Support, Career Development, and Summer Programs, the Youth Program fosters independence and leadership in each participant.
Recreational Activities
The Youth Program provides recreational and social opportunities that nurture self-esteem, creativity and teamwork. Developing leadership skills and fostering healthy social interactions are key goals of the programs. From rock climbing and skiing, to art and technology, these activities are wide-ranging, and geared towards specific age groups.
Educational Support
The LightHouse provides a range of after school support. We can assist with the college admissions process and getting scholarships. For a blind or visually impaired youth, technology skills and Braille literacy are precursors to career success. Our workshops build competence in these important areas. Orientation & Mobility training, rehabilitation teaching, and basic daily living skills are available to ensure that youth have the skills needed for independence.
Career Development
Each academic semester, the Work Adjustment Training Program provides occupational exploration through lectures and hands-on exercises. These workshops address resume writing techniques, interview skills, work success, and overall career development.
To build practical work experience, the Work Adjustment Training Program assists participants in obtaining internships. For many, this is their first experience in employment. We provide stipend, and non-stipend assignments in office support, peer-counseling, and retail.
Summer Programs
Enchanted Hills Camp has enabled blind and visually impaired youth to achieve independence and self confidence while having fun in a traditional camp setting.
Summer Day Camp: The LightHouse collaborates with Project Insight, a program of the S.F. Recreation and Parks Department, to offer a fun and educational summer day camp for blind and visually impaired youth. This month long day camp offers swimming, hiking, arts and crafts, day trips and numerous other activities.
The Business Enterprises Program–Youth Employment Program BEP-YEP
The Business Enterprises Program–Youth Employment Program (BEP-YEP) is a youth employment enrichment program that aims to provide summer work experiences to blind and visually impaired youth and young adults. Because youth with vision loss often face a variety of barriers in securing and maintaining employment, including finding a supportive employer who will provide an accessible work environment, BEP-YEP is an important step towards challenging these barriers at an early age while gaining valuable skills that lend themselves to future career development.
The program allows participants to work five hours per day, Monday through Thursday, at a BEP-YEP employment partner site. On Fridays, participants engage in peer support activities, career exploration workshops and other activities that strengthen their employability. It is expected that participants in the program will gain experience, build confidence and learn how to successfully advocate for themselves so that they can complete their education, go on to higher education or vocational training and ultimately build fulfilling sustained careers.
BEP-YEP relies on partners like the LightHouse, schools for the blind and other rehabilitation specialists, BEP staff and BEP vendors to provide these training opportunities.
