An instructor watches as a man uses a long white cane. Beneath text reads, “LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired welcomes the Earle Baum Center to our community.” To the right of text, are the LightHouse and Earle Baum logos.

Charting a New Path: Earle Baum Center and LightHouse Unite

Today, we are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in the history of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Earle Baum Center of the Blind. Earle Baum Center is officially joining the LightHouse community, bringing together two esteemed organizations whose missions align: Creating opportunity and independence for people who are blind and low vision.

One of the country’s leading service providers for blind and low vision people, LightHouse offers programs including workforce development, services specifically for people who are DeafBlind, and the Little Learners program working with families of young children experiencing visual impairments.

Earle Baum Center, named for a blind farmer and advocate for the blind Earle Baum, is a pillar of service for the blind and visually impaired communities in Sonoma, Napa, Lake, Mendocino, and other Northern California counties. LightHouse plans to foster and expand the deep legacy of the Earle Baum Center developed during its 24 years serving clients.

“LightHouse’s partnership with the Earle Baum Center means we’ll be able to provide contiguous services to the blind and low vision community from Silicon Valley all the way to the Oregon border,” said LightHouse Chief Executive Officer Sharon Giovanazzo.

“It has been an absolute honor to work with Northern California’s visually impaired residents at the Earle Baum Center,” said Kati Aho, Earle Baum Center’s director of operations. “I’m so excited to continue that work — and for the opportunities for sustainability, innovation, and expansion — as part of this partnership with LightHouse.”