LightHouse will be closed on Monday, May 27 for the Memorial Day holiday.
The week's events
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Lighthouse Goes Rock Climbing (in-person)
Lighthouse Goes Rock Climbing (in-person)
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Feb 26Discover the sport of rock-climbing with the always fun and supportive volunteers at ParaCliffHangers. There’s no better way to get moving and stay active, than hanging off the side of an indoor rock wall. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and no prior experience is needed. Equipment can be rented upon arriving for $10.
We will be meeting at Lighthouse San Francisco at 1155 Market at 11:00 am and heading over on BART as a group. The event starts at noon.
RSVP to Andrew Martinez at AMartinez@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7642.
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LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)
LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)
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Feb 27LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.
Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc
This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.
Please bring with you:
- Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
- A copy of your social security card
- A copy of your photo ID
- If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you
COVID-19 Requirements:
Masks must be worn at all times.
Out of Scope:
If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.
- If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
- If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
- If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
- If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
- If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
- If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
- If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
- If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
- If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return. You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
- If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.
There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.
If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.
Voices (online)Voices (online)
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Feb 27Would you like to collaborate with LightHouse Adult Program Coordinators to answer important questions about your past, current, and future interests? What are your favorite LightHouse programs? What would you like more of? How can we continue to improve?
RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at Sbolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7607.
VISION Peer-led Support Group (online)VISION Peer-led Support Group (online)
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Feb 27VISION is a peer-led drop-in support group. Every other Monday, we meet to discuss different topics and share our experiences, thoughts, and knowledge. We are people with similar experiences who genuinely want to support one another in all aspects of living independently with our changing vision. This is the inaugural meeting.
RSVP to Sabrina Bolus at SBolus@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-6707.
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LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)
LightHouse and AARP Tax Support (in-person)
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Mar 2LightHouse is again partnering with AARP’s Tax-Aide Program to provide free tax filing support at 1155 Market Street this tax filing season. AARP will be at LightHouse HQ on Mondays and Thursdays from February 2 – April 13, 2023.
Appointments are required and they can be made for 9:30 am, 11 am, and 12:30 pm. Appointments can be scheduled by leaving a voicemail at 415-694-7648 or completing this form: https://forms.office.com/r/MsNHzhK3Hc
This is open to anyone who needs support filing their federal and California state tax returns for the tax years 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019. (note: each year requires a separate appointment and we can only complete tax years 2019, 2020, and 2021 in March). There is no requirement based on age, income level, or San Francisco residency.
Please bring with you:
- Your tax paperwork you’ve received in the mail
- A copy of your social security card
- A copy of your photo ID
- If you are eligible for a refund and would like it deposited directly into your account, please bring a voided check. If you do not have a voided check, your refund check will be mailed to you
COVID-19 Requirements:
Masks must be worn at all times.
Out of Scope:
If any of these situations apply to you, you may be out of scope for AARP. If you think that you are out of scope, please feel free to call us so that we can confirm.
- If you do not have health insurance, we cannot prepare your tax return. Apologies, but this is due to the California mandate that requires everybody to have health insurance, which results in tax complications.
- If you have tax deductible contributions to an HSA account, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law and is complicated.
- If you have rental income, we cannot prepare your tax return.
- If you are in a civil union or married filing separately, we cannot prepare your tax return. This is due to the differences in Federal and California tax law.
- If you’re self-employed, and want to declare your health insurance premiums as an expense, and are receiving premium tax credits (via CoveredCA), we cannot prepare your tax return.
- If you have rental property, we cannot prepare your return.
- If you have a dependent child with unearned income subject to the “Kiddie Tax”, we cannot prepare your return.
- If you are self-employed and, due to the pandemic, you deferred paying your Self-Employment tax, have a PPP loan, or took Covid sick leave, we cannot prepare your return.
- If you own a business with employees and/or inventory, we cannot prepare your return. You would be wise to hire a professional tax preparer.
- If you have hobby income or not for profit activity, we cannot prepare your return.
There are some specific requirements and not all taxes will be able to be completed by AARP volunteers; these will be addressed when the appointments are made.
If you have any questions, please call 415-694-7648. Thank you.
Create In Community Art Class: March 2023 (in-person)Create In Community Art Class: March 2023 (in-person)
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Mar 2Let's gather together in the 11th floor art space at LightHouse San Francisco (1155 Market) to explore a different art process, style or media each moth while connecting with fellow creatives. These are exploratory, process-oriented classes that invite you to work at whatever level you are, be it first timer to expert.
This March, we will create a variety of painted and textured papers that we will later use as collage materials to create colorful and tactile artworks.
RSVP to Maia Scott at MScott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.
Tecnologia para Todos (en línea)/Technology for All (online)Tecnologia para Todos (en línea)/Technology for All (online)
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Mar 2Tecnología para Todos, es un espacio en donde los usuarios comparten sus conocimientos y experiencias. Cada mes conversamos sobre distintos servicios, aplicaciones y dispositivos disponibles para personas ciegas y con baja visión. ¡Te esperamos!
Para registrarse, contacten a Jeffrey Colon JColon@lighthouse-sf.or o 415-694-7323.
Join the LightHouse’s monthly access Technology Spanish meeting. Tecnología para todos is a space where users share their knowledge and experience. Each month, we talk about services, applications and devices available for blind and low vision users.
This event will be conducted using the Zoom platform. You can connect to Zoom using a computer, an app, or by dialing in from any phone. Zoom meeting details will be provided when you rsvp by email to: JColon@lighthouse-sf.org or by calling 415-694-7323.
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YES Weekend Workshop (in-person)
YES Weekend Workshop (in-person)
(All day)
Mar 3 – Mar 5When: Friday March 3 at 3:00 pm to Sunday, March 5 at noon
Where: LightHouse for the Blind Headquarters at 1155 Market Street in San Francisco
Who: Blind and low-vision students between the ages of 16 and 22
How do blind and low vision students access reading materials for both work and leisure? How does accessing reading materials tie into pre-employment preparedness skillsets? Join us this March for a workshop focused on all things literacy. Students who attend will not only gain resources and knowledge through exciting group activities, but will have the opportunity to assist with this year’s Northern California Braille Challenge, happening that weekend at LightHouse Headquarters. YES workshops are monthly weekend-long learning experiences for youth and young adults who are enthusiastic about realizing their dream careers, emphasizing the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth, providing access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques. Each YES workshop focuses on a specific theme and offers an array of self-advocacy, assistive technology, living skills, and soft skills curricula empowering students to strive toward future employment or post-secondary educational success. The weekend is spent learning from blind and low vision mentors, connecting with blind and low vision peers, and engaging in creative hands-on activities which further support youth to explore and achieve their individualized and professional goals.
Objectives:
- Students will have opportunities to network and practice work-readiness skills while volunteering during this year’s Braille Challenge event.
- Participants will discuss literature access resources, and hear from peers and professionals on valuable suggestions and strategies.
- Students will gain team-building and collaborative skillsets essential for workplace success during intergenerational group activities.
- The over-night nature of the YES workshop provides opportunities for students to refine their workplace readiness soft skills including effective social and professional communication and independent living all while building community with their blind and low vision peers and mentors.
Things to Bring:
- A notetaking device or implement (braille note, pen, slate and stylus, phone with keyboard, laptop, etc.). You may be asked to complete activities electronically.
- Necessities you may need such as any orientation and mobility tools to travel safely, money for transportation to and from the workshop, or personal medication.
If you are interested in participating in the March YES Weekend Workshop, please:
- Contact your Department of Rehabilitation counselor to discuss workshop attendance and authorization.
- Confirm attendance with Daisy Soto, Youth Services Coordinator by email at DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7328. If you have any questions or would like to pay for your participation in this workshop, contact DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org. Note: space for this program is limited and workshop attendance must be confirmed one week prior.
YES programs are, and will continue to be, in strict accordance with local, state and Center for Disease Control recommendations and guidelines.
Egg-stravaganza! Easter egg decorating for the Littles (in-person)Egg-stravaganza! Easter egg decorating for the Littles (in-person)
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Mar 3Oh, the memories of an exciting Easter egg hunt! Now's the chance to spread the fun. To help our Little Learners Program prepare for a beeping and tactile egg hunt later in March, we are hosting an egg decorating egg-stravaganza. Join us in the craft room to bling a hundred eggs with all manner of tactile and sparkly things then fill them with Easter treats.
As we channel our inner Faberge volunteering to bring joy to the littles, we may enjoy a little friendly competition and some treats of our own.
RSVP to Maia Scott at Mscott@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7608.
EHC Virtual Campfire (online)EHC Virtual Campfire (online)
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Mar 3These fun-filled evenings will consist of all your favorite real campfire traditions, including camp’s traditional opening campfire ceremony rituals, special guest performances, and singalongs. Campfire attendees will also be informed of rebuild updates and all other camp related program offerings.
RSVP to Andrew Martinez at Amartinez@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7642.
Reel Escape Audio Description Club; Wednesday Netflix Series (online)Reel Escape Audio Description Club; Wednesday Netflix Series (online)
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Mar 3We all need an escape at times, and with the Real Escape Audio Description Club you can do just that with your blind and low vision friends. Our weekly gathering takes place Friday evenings at 8:00 pm., where we watch the next episode of our series and connect with your LightHouse and EHC friends. Now that we’ve watched all that we could from the world of Daredevil, our club will be switching things up and will start watching the new series, Wednesday, in early February. For those unfamiliar with the show, check out the trailer.
***Parents Please Note*** Wednesday is rated TV-14 for fear, language, and violence which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 14. IMDB has a parental guide that goes into greater detail about why the show received this rating. Read the Parent Guide for Wednesday.
Who: teens and young adults who are blind or are low vision
What: Wednesday with the Reel Escape Audio Description Club via Zoom
When: Friday evenings @ 8:00 pm
Where: anywhere you can access a zoom meeting
RSVP: Zoom meeting information will be shared with those that RSVP by 5:00 pm the day before the program
If you are interested in signing up or have any questions about the Reel Escape Audio Description Club, please contact Jamey Gump by email at JGump@lighthouse-sf.org or by phone at 415-694-7372.
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YES Weekend Workshop (in-person)
YES Weekend Workshop (in-person)
(All day)
Mar 3 – Mar 5When: Friday March 3 at 3:00 pm to Sunday, March 5 at noon
Where: LightHouse for the Blind Headquarters at 1155 Market Street in San Francisco
Who: Blind and low-vision students between the ages of 16 and 22
How do blind and low vision students access reading materials for both work and leisure? How does accessing reading materials tie into pre-employment preparedness skillsets? Join us this March for a workshop focused on all things literacy. Students who attend will not only gain resources and knowledge through exciting group activities, but will have the opportunity to assist with this year’s Northern California Braille Challenge, happening that weekend at LightHouse Headquarters. YES workshops are monthly weekend-long learning experiences for youth and young adults who are enthusiastic about realizing their dream careers, emphasizing the vocational enrichment of low vision and blind youth, providing access to a multifaceted array of mentorship, employment readiness skills, and alternative accessible techniques. Each YES workshop focuses on a specific theme and offers an array of self-advocacy, assistive technology, living skills, and soft skills curricula empowering students to strive toward future employment or post-secondary educational success. The weekend is spent learning from blind and low vision mentors, connecting with blind and low vision peers, and engaging in creative hands-on activities which further support youth to explore and achieve their individualized and professional goals.
Objectives:
- Students will have opportunities to network and practice work-readiness skills while volunteering during this year’s Braille Challenge event.
- Participants will discuss literature access resources, and hear from peers and professionals on valuable suggestions and strategies.
- Students will gain team-building and collaborative skillsets essential for workplace success during intergenerational group activities.
- The over-night nature of the YES workshop provides opportunities for students to refine their workplace readiness soft skills including effective social and professional communication and independent living all while building community with their blind and low vision peers and mentors.
Things to Bring:
- A notetaking device or implement (braille note, pen, slate and stylus, phone with keyboard, laptop, etc.). You may be asked to complete activities electronically.
- Necessities you may need such as any orientation and mobility tools to travel safely, money for transportation to and from the workshop, or personal medication.
If you are interested in participating in the March YES Weekend Workshop, please:
- Contact your Department of Rehabilitation counselor to discuss workshop attendance and authorization.
- Confirm attendance with Daisy Soto, Youth Services Coordinator by email at DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7328. If you have any questions or would like to pay for your participation in this workshop, contact DSoto@lighthouse-sf.org. Note: space for this program is limited and workshop attendance must be confirmed one week prior.
YES programs are, and will continue to be, in strict accordance with local, state and Center for Disease Control recommendations and guidelines.
The events for the upcoming week are read aloud on our event hotline every Friday, which can be accessed by calling 415-694-7325. For more information about visiting the Adaptations Store, head to our shop page.
The LightHouse is scent-free. Please abstain from wearing colognes, perfumes, or other scented products. Additionally, coffee must be securely lidded at all times and citrus should not be peeled on the premises. Thanks for supporting our efforts to respect chemical sensitivities!
