LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired FAQ

November 21, 2025

• How did this idea come about?

Facts and timeline:

• • In early August, Vision Serve Alliance brokered an introduction between Thomas Panek, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild in New York (LGI), and Jennison Asuncion, Board Chair of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  • In late August, Thomas Panek connected with Brandon Cox.
  • In early September, LGI executives Thomas Panek, Jim Dubin (Chairman of the LGI Board of Directors) and Maura Sweeney (COO of LGI) visited Enchanted Hills, Sirkin Center, and 1155 Market Street and began exploratory conversations on how the two organizations could work together.
  • September 12: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired informed the community about the state of the talks: https://lighthouse-sf.org/an-update-to-our-community-supporters-and-providers/
  • September 18: Jennison Asuncion hosted a hybrid Fireside Chat with Thomas Panek and Jim Dubin.
  • September 25: Public FAQ posted https://lighthouse-sf.org/your-questions-answered/
  • October 8: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Leadership including Jennison Asuncion, Brandon Cox, Diana McCown, and Maritza Calderon visited LGI, met staff, observed programs, and met members of the LGI Board of Directors in NYC
  • (Related to the FY26 budget) The Collective Bargaining Agreement passed on November 11, 2025, which was fully ratified by both the union and LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired board, including a ratification wage increase: 5%, 4%, and 3% based on job grade, with the lowest wage workers receiving the highest increase (5%), effective October 1, 2025.
  • November 12: Second hybrid Fireside chat with Jim Dubin and Maura J. Sweeney, LGI’s Chief Operating Officer.
  • November 13: The due diligence process is substantially
  • November 19: LGI presented the term sheet to LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired for consideration.
  • December: The Boards of Directors of LGI and LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will vote on the partnership and final terms.

• What is the proposed structure?
  • Rather than a merger, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will become a subsidiary of LGI. It will maintain its brand, mission, values, service region and its 501c3 status.
  • At least three members of the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Directors will join the LGI Board of Directors. These three members will also sit on the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Directors.
  • Jim Dubin, the LGI Chairman of the Board, during the November 12 Fireside Chat mentioned that representation from our community would also be welcomed onto LGI’s Advisory Board and Visionary Committee, giving us further voice.
  • The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Directors will continue to exist with a new makeup.
    • The same three members representing LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired on the LGI Board will also sit on this board. In addition, the new board makeup will include the Executive Committee of the LGI Board of Directors.
  • The current LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Directors would become the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Advisory Board.
  • Thomas Panek would become CEO of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  • Maura Sweeney, COO of LGI, would become President of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and lead the transition through an Action Plan prepared by the LGI Board of Directors, the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Advisory Board, and Organizational Leadership. She will be expected to be in SF regularly during this time.
  • Brandon Cox will serve as Chief Operating Officer of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  • Diana McCown will continue as Chief of Rehabilitation and Clinical Services at LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  • Brandon Cox and Diana McCown will report to Maura Sweeney.
  • The long-term goal would be to have a LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired leader full-time reporting to Thomas Panek, living in and running LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco.

• Why are we considering this?
  • Preserves LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s mission: LGI has publicly committed not to change LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s mission, values, or community-based service model.
  • Keeps LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired local: The programs — including Enchanted Hills Camp, Earle Baum Center, services, and community programs — are planned to remain active in Northern California.
  • Strengthens long-term sustainability: LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will sustain its local relationships with donors, partners and funders.
  • Increases strategic capacity: LGI will support the current budget for the year and bring added expertise, behavioral health services, and operational capacity.
  • Prevents severe cuts: Without the partnership, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will immediately reduce at least $2.8M this fiscal year in expenses, including staff reductions, shorter work weeks, and service impacts.

• Are the rumors true that this a “hostile takeover”?
  • We have welcomed key LGI team members at our facilities including Enchanted Hills, Earle Baum Center, LightHouse ECO, the Low Vision clinics, and at our SF headquarters, so they can personally see all our great programs, businesses, and community activities. They have been inspired and have asked thoughtful questions, as they also answer questions posed by the community and LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired staff throughout the process.
  • Similarly, leadership from LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired have visited LGI in New York, and, together, we are already learning from one another.

• What are some of the benefits?
  • Support for our community programs.
  • Additional infrastructure and expertise.
  • Increase access to expertise through the “Whole Person Care Model,” which aligns with the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired current strategic plan.
  • Explore the restoration and expansion to much needed behavioral health services for individuals. For example, individual therapy, couples therapy, group and family counseling tailored to the blind and low vision community.
  • This partnership represents a path to financial sustainability while preserving critical services for our community.
  • Greater national reach through combined infrastructure.

• How does LGI benefit?
  • Deeper insights into social enterprise and manufacturing from LightHouse ECO.
  • Expansion of in-person and community-based programs.
  • Access to Enchanted Hills Camp for the Blind for the people that they serve.
  • Opportunities to bring successful West Coast models to a national audience.
  • Workforce training program growth.
  • Greater national reach through combined infrastructure.

• Will Lighthouse Guild promise to not change LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s mission? “Our Mission is to promote independence, community, and equity created by and with blind and low vision people.”
  • LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired’s mission, vision, and values will remain as they are, as stated by Jim Dubin during the November 12 Fireside Chat.

• What commitments has LGI made to LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to date?
  • LGI has guaranteed to not alter the mission, vision, and values of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  • LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will continue to serve the blind and visually impaired community in San Francisco. Services will continue across Northern California and the Bay Area.
  • The website and logo will remain intact.

• Please explain Lighthouse Guild’s model:
  • Maura Sweeney, LGI’s Chief Operating Officer stated at the Nov 12 Fireside Chat: “At LGI, we meet people where they are, and we try to develop our programs and our services around what people are letting us know they need.”
  • LGI’s model for core blindness skills training is collaborative and person centered. For all O&M, AT and ILS services, Youth, Transition, Academic and Vocational Rehabilitation programs the organization works directly with the New York Commission for the Blind.
  • LGI also operates health clinics which include primary care, podiatry, endocrinology, nutrition, behavioral health, occupational therapy, and a low vision clinic.

• How will LGI’s service delivery model have an effect on how we serve our community?
  • There are no plans to change how we serve our community. Each organization meets people where they are, supporting their training and community connection needs.
  • LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will continue to implement the Whole Person Care Model as outlined in the current strategic plan. This includes some services covered by medical insurance, including Low Vision Optometry, OT and Enhanced Care Management. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired will also maintain traditional ILS, AT, O&M, and Community Services.
  • We are particularly excited about enhanced access to behavioral health services, which is something LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired does not currently offer.

• What are the financial implications if we move forward?
  • Going forward, Lighthouse Guild NY would control the finances of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
  • The approved LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired budget for FY26 contains an $8.8 million deficit, with a board mandate to implement an austerity budget in December 2025 if LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired does not partner with LGI.
  • Per the November 12 Fireside Chat, Jim Dubin: “As you know, there’s been a new budget that was approved by the board, your board, and we intend to, if we continue this partnership, to keep that budget for the year.

• Will there be consolidation?
  • LGI does not intend to make any immediate changes to programs.
  • We’re still evaluating how our teams and processes come together; consolidation of some departments for efficiency is a possibility.

• What happens to LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired programs and staff if either organization walks away?
  • The current, approved fiscal year budget contains an $8.8 million deficit with the mandate for budget revision in December if we do not partner with LGI. The budget revision requires a $6 million annual deficit. Which means an additional $2.8 million will need to be cut in FY26.
  • If LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired does not move forward with the partnership, this year alone, the organization would need to reduce expenses by $2.8 million. This would include cuts across the organization including:
    • Reducing most hours from 37.5 hours a week to 30 hours a week.
    • Reducing our 401K employer 401K match from 6% to 1%.
    • Having to reduce staff by roughly 6 to 10 people.
  • With a reduction of staff and work hours, our current services will be impacted and likely need to be reduced.

• What happens if it does not move forward and the union does not agree to cost cutting measures?
  • We would need to pursue a larger staff reduction.
  • The larger staff reduction would affect at least 38 people. In that case, our team will go from 138 staff to 100 people or fewer.

• Does LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired have enough staff right now to continue serving its community?
  • In contrast to the thought that services would be reduced because of recent staff reductions, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired announced that in FY25, it increased the number of people served by 48%. The organization increased the direct services provided by 36%. Matching this service level will not be sustainable with a further reduction in workforce.
  • In October 2025, we responded to continued high demand with over 150 referrals from people who are blind and low vision in our community.

• Are we considering any other options to maintain current service levels?
  • We are considering all options. At this time, there are no other options that would change the current trajectory or the decision-making process at this time.
  • We are pursuing this partnership because it is a great opportunity to move forward and preserve the health and continuity of LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. There are no other viable solutions to maintain the high demand of our services.
  • We remain grateful for continued financial support.

• What is the future of Enchanted Hills Camp?
  • Enchanted Hills Camp will continue operating under the current program and business model; it is an essential part of our community.

• Will Sirkin Center’s manufacturing processing plant move?
  • All current manufacturing will remain at the Sirkin Center in Alameda.

• How will EBC be affected?
  • We anticipate programs and services will continue to be provided at the Earle Baum Campus, including the continuation of community service activities.

• What about the EBC land?
  • The 17 acres of EBC land are not owned by LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The land is owned by the Redwood Lions Memorial Foundation. LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has a 40-year lease at $1 a year for that site.

• Will LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired continue to support the Little Learners birth-3 years old early intervention model of serving families in their homes?
  • We anticipate that we will continue to support Little Learners.

• Where can students or community members with more questions be directed?
  • We want to hear from you. Your comments will be shared with leadership and the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board. If you have questions or comments about anything LH-related, feel free to use this link to fill out our Community Comment Form. Submit a Community Comment Here.