It’s possible to see without sight

It’s possible to see without sight™

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Annual Report 2015


Empowering the visually impaired for 85 years.

Front cover photo:

Miami Lighthouse White Cane DayCelebration

October 15, 2015

An estimated 200 people of all ages participated in our White Cane Daywalk escorted by City of Miami Police and Fire Departments. The keynote speaker was Penny Shaffer, Market President South Florida, Florida Blue. NBC 6’s Chief Meteorologist John Morales was the emcee. Grand Marshals were Senator Anitere Flores, representing the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation; Commissioner Sally A. Heyman, representing the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners; Ramón Casas, Chair, Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors; Juan Carlos Diaz, District Administrator, District 12 Florida Division of Blind Services; Lion Ildefonso Ortega, District Governor 35-N; and Billy the Marlin. Our thanks to Al and Jackie Cabrera and Burger King #12778 for providing cheeseburgers for lunch.


85

www.miamilighthouse.org

feels familiar to a nose,thumbs searching for thorns,

petals soft like a dog’s ears,wrapped around its center.

easily, the most beautiful thingI’ve never seen.

Accountability & Transparency Score

Miami Lighthouse Board of Directors

Ramón F. Casas Chairman

Louis Nostro, Esq. Chair-Elect

Agustin Arellano, Jr.Immediate Past Chairman

Owen S. Freed, Esq.Secretary

Peter R. Harrison Treasurer

Virginia A. JackoPresident & Chief Executive Officer

Donna AboodJosé A. AbranteKent M. BenedictDonna R. Blaustein, Esq.Gil J. BonwittSander R. Dubovy, M.D.George W. FoyoPablo GonzalezAnne E. HelliwellThomas E. Johnson, M.D.Alan P. Levitt, O.D. Stephen Morris, O.D.Jan S. MorrisonCharles J. Nielsen, Sr.Maricarmen Perez-Blanco, O.D.Shirley Press, M.D.Scott RicheyEdward J. RosascoMichael A. Silva, Esq.Steven J. SolomonAngela Whitman

HONORARY BOARD Agustin R. Arellano, Sr.William E. BeckhamAlvaro M. CabreraJoseph E. DaGrosa, Jr.Gary D. Fox, Esq.Pamela J. GarrisonJoel Grossman, M.D.John H. B. HarrimanLorenzo Jackson, Jr., Esq.Edward J. JoyceSusan P. KelleyJ. Megan KellyGloria MartinDavid B. McCrea, Esq.William L. MorrisonAudrey H. Ross, Ph.D.William R. Roy, Ph.D.Carol P. RussoShelley D. RutherfordDonald J. SackriderScott K. SimeDavid M. Turner III, C.P.A.Harold L. Young, Jr.

LEGAL COUNSEL René J. González-Llorens, Esq.

Dear Friends of Miami Lighthouse,

As we move toward our 85th anniversary, I am pleased to share with you our 2015 Annual Report. The accomplishments highlighted in this Annual Report are possible only because of your involvement. Without our donors and supporters, we would not have been able to meet the growing demand for our services from 11,851 program participants in 2014 to 13,412 in 2015. Words cannot adequately express what your support and investment mean to Miami Lighthouse and to our grateful clients.

We are known as a national Center of Excellence in Vision Rehabilitation through our peer- reviewed articles and other state and regional recognition. I am especially proud of the article in the national professional publication Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, “MiamiLighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Case Study: Vision Rehabilitation for the First Florida Resident to Receive the Argus II ‘Bionic Eye.’ ” This article confirms that the professional staff at Miami Lighthouse is at the forefront of vision rehabilitation. Their expertise also is demonstrated by their collaboration with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Not only does the Lighthouse provide rehabilitation to recipients of the Argus II artificial retinal implant, fully 30% of referrals for services for low vision adults come from Bascom Palmer.

Without you, blind people who want to work would not have access to job training; visually impaired adults who need a GED (high school equivalency diploma) would not be receiving the specialized instruction we provide; and parents of our visually impaired children would not be learning how to improve their child’s literacy and how to become effective advocates.

This fall, we will pilot our pre-kindergarten for visually impaired three- and four-year-olds as we prepare to launch our new Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™ in the fall of 2017. We are

especially grateful to those who participated in the incentive challenge that makes this new children’s center possible. We look forward to your continued support to sustain our programs.

With your help we are proving that “It’s possible to see without sight™.”

Sincerely,

Ramón F. Casas Chairman, Board of Directors


1

2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2015

14,000

13,000

12,000

11,000

10,000

9,000

8,000

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0487

1,700

7,381

8,197

9,349

Fiscal Years

11,851

13,412*

Growth in Number of Program Participants Served 2004-2015

2

WHO WESERVE

During 2015, through our programs,13,412 participants learned

“It’s possible to see without sight™”

Your contributions support services for blind andvisually impaired people of all ages and

schoolchildren who cannot afford acomprehensive eye examination

and glasses.

Infants, preschoolers and theirfamilies/caregivers were served in our

early intervention Blind Babies Program

School-aged children in our Summer Training andRecreation Program and year-round Braille literacy

Teenagers in our Pre-Employment Transition Program

Teenagers and adults in ourBetter Chance Music Program

Adults participated in visionrehabilitation programs

Adults were enrolled in High SchoolEquivalency (GED) and English as aSecond Language Classes

Visually Impaired Seniors took partin our Senior Group Health andActivities Program

Adults and Seniors received low vision functional exams,received low vision occupational therapy or participatedin community presentations on low vision

Low-income children throughout theState of Florida receive freecomprehensive eye exams and glasseswhen needed through our FloridaHeiken Children's Vision Program

105

69

4362

212

312

144

2,417

10,048


3

ASSETS 2015 2014 Cash and cash equivalents (including cash held in investment money funds of $153,507 and $374,468 and deferred revenues of $787,961 and $569,511 at 12/31/2015 and 2014 respectively) $2,302,215 $2,242,147Cash designated for construction 2,659,985 875,000 Accounts and interest receivable 478,185 411,730 Prepaid expenses and other assets 97,971 96,625Contributions receivable, net 2,939,190 773,783 Beneficial interest in irrevocable trusts 273,936 278,043 Investment securities 11,574,859 12,037,261 Property and equipment, net 3,843,308 4,112,466 TOTAL ASSETS $24,169,649 $20,827,055

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 504,010 $ 315,038Deferred Revenues - Direct Services 787,961 569,511 TOTAL LIABILITIES $1,291,971 884,549

Net Assets Unrestricted 16,239,697 17,142,233 Temporarily restricted 5,511,691 1,673,983 Permanently restricted 1,126,290 1,126,290 TOTAL NET ASSETS 22,877,678 19,942,506 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS $24,169,649 $20,827,055

REVENUES, GAINS AND SUPPORT 2015 2014 Bequests and Legacies $ 255,640 $ 249,524 Contributions, net 6,389,150 2,941,877 Government grants and contracts 3,304,709 2,850,836 Change in beneficial interest in irrevocable trusts (4,107 ) 841Investment Income 270,524 281,476 Other 407,846 388,238

TOTAL REVENUE, GAINS AND SUPPORT $10,623,764 $6,712,792

EXPENSES Vision Rehabilitation $ 878,412 $ 849,397 Alternative Rehabilitation Services 1,017,346 722,770 Transition and Vocational Services 1,211,979 1,206,881 Children’s Program 773,722 878,339 Heiken Children’s Vision & Low Vision 2,175,358 1,936,400 General and Administrative 511,655 507,094 Fundraising 560,261 476,236 TOTAL EXPENSES 7,128,733 6,577,117 Change in Assets before Non-recurring Items 3,495,031 135,675 Investment Gains & Losses (559,859) 149,207 CHANGE IN NET ASSETS 2,935,172 284,882 NET ASSETS - BEGINNING OF YEAR 19,942,506 19,657,624 NET ASSETS - END OF YEAR $22,877,678 $19,942,506

4

2015 Statement of Financial Position 2015 Statement of Financial Activities

REVENUES, GAINS AND SUPPORT 2015 2014 Bequests and Legacies $ 255,640 $ 249,524 Contributions, net 6,389,150 2,941,877 Government grants and contracts 3,304,709 2,850,836 Change in beneficial interest in irrevocable trusts (4,107 ) 841Investment Income 270,524 281,476 Other 407,846 388,238

TOTAL REVENUE, GAINS AND SUPPORT $10,623,764 $6,712,792

EXPENSES Vision Rehabilitation $ 878,412 $ 849,397 Alternative Rehabilitation Services 1,017,346 722,770 Transition and Vocational Services 1,211,979 1,206,881 Children’s Program 773,722 878,339 Heiken Children’s Vision & Low Vision 2,175,358 1,936,400 General and Administrative 511,655 507,094 Fundraising 560,261 476,236 TOTAL EXPENSES 7,128,733 6,577,117 Change in Assets before Non-recurring Items 3,495,031 135,675 Investment Gains & Losses (559,859) 149,207 CHANGE IN NET ASSETS 2,935,172 284,882 NET ASSETS - BEGINNING OF YEAR 19,942,506 19,657,624 NET ASSETS - END OF YEAR $22,877,678 $19,942,506

5

During 2015 net assets increased by nearly 15%. The increase is mainly due to contributions received for our capital campaign to expand our facility and bequests. Our ability to continue to increase services year after year and touch the lives of so many individuals would not be possible without the generosity of donors and the wise management of our assets by our board leadership.

As of the issue date of this report, Miami Lighthouse raised sufficient capital to satisfy the terms of a Matching Challenge started in 2014 for its Building Campaign for our new Lighthouse Learning Center for ChildrenTM, an initiative that includes Early Intervention and preschool for visually impaired children. This $5,000,000 Challenge, though currently earmarked for construction, contains a stipulation whereby funds collected in excess of what is needed to complete the construction project may be applied to programs. The Board believes that the construction of the new facilities should be accomplished within the total amounts of raised construction funds and the challenge grant.

Miami Lighthouse will continue to look for ways to secure new funding to support the increase in operating costs that come with our commitment to expanding services for the visually impaired.

In 2015 we used 85% of every dollar received on programs that help people affected by vision loss. Full financial statements, audited by Verdeja & De Armas, LLP, are available on our website at: http://miamilighthouse.org/docs/2015AuditReport Richard Fernandez Chief Financial Officer


2015 Financial Report2015 Statement of Financial Activities

20152014Functional Expense Allocation

TOTAL: $6,577,118 TOTAL: $7,128,733

7%

PROGRAMS

85%

ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT

8% 8%

PROGRAMS

85%

ADMINISTRATIVE DEVELOPMENT

7%

It’s Possible to See Without Sight™

Thanks to you, our stakeholders, 2015 was a year of empowerment for children, youth and adults who, because of your generosity, can lead more productive and independent lives.

• Sixty-two visually impaired adults were enrolled in classes in 2015 to both learn English and attain their GED in our new fourth-floor Sash A. Spencer Educational Empowerment Center. • More than 13,000 blind and visually impaired children and adults received vision rehabilitation services and/or comprehensive eye examinations and glasses at no cost to them. • Through our Job Readiness Training Program, we were able to increase the number of clients who obtained mainstream employment. Thirty clients in 2015 were placed in competitive positions by our Job Readiness team as a result of our employment collaborations with Florida Division of Blind Services, Switchboard Miami, Baptist Health, Perez Art Museum Miami, Hyatt Hotels, Marriott Worldwide Call Center, Goodwill, Big Lots, Marshall’s at International Mall, and others. • Our 43 Transition students had paid employment experiences such as working at the Youth Fair, Miami Theater Company, Fausto Commercial Realty, Smart Bites Cafe, Miami Lighthouse Vision Solutions Center, SFM Services, Inc. and Walgreens. Half of the students were placed in spring 2015, and nearly all students were placed in the summer of 2015. In addition, sixteen students had “job shadowing” experiences observing various positions available at Wendy’s, Publix, WVUM radio station and McDonald’s.• With partial funding from Miami-Dade County and the Florida Department of Education Division of Blind Services nearly 150 seniors attend our daily Senior Group Health and Activities Program which offers fitness, nutrition, tactile art, music and computing. This important program enables blind seniors to stay out of costly assisted living facilities and reduces medical costs. Collaborations • In collaboration with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Second Sight, we provided vision rehabilitation services for the first patient in Florida to receive the Argus II retinal implant. We developed and copyrighted our unique vision rehabilitation curriculum to be used with future implant patients. Our case study pertaining to this patient’s vision rehabilitation by Miami Lighthouse professionals will appear in the Practice Section of an upcoming issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness.

President and CEO’s Report to Stakeholders

6

Transition student Andrea live on WVUM radio

Collaborations (continued)

• More than 40 faculty, residents and fellows from Bascom Palmer attended our eighth annual Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Reception. Guests toured our facility and learned about the variety of vision rehabilitation programs we offer for blind and visually impaired babies, children, adults and seniors. The keynote speaker, Dr. Harry W. Flynn, Jr., Professor of Ophthalmology at BPEI, presented a history of BPEI and its longstanding relationship with Miami Lighthouse dating back to Dr. Bascom Palmer’s chairmanship of the Miami Lighthouse Board from 1947 to 1952. • As part or our Center of Excellence in Vision Rehabilitation initiatives, Miami Lighthouse continues to address the shortage of professionals in the low vision rehabilitation field by supervising interns. During 2015 our certified low vision and occupational therapist provided practicum internships for eleven occupational therapy students from Florida International University and Barry University, and our Orientation and Mobility staff supervised five O&M interns from Florida State University and Stephen F. Austin State University.• To empower healthcare professionals with the knowledge they require to meet the needs of the growing number of patients who are impacted by low vision, in collaboration with the Florida International University Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences Occupational Therapy Department, we held our fourth continuing education seminar for Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Nurses, which was attended by 44 registrants who received continuing education credits for their participation.

Recognition

• Miami Lighthouse was honored at the Florida Blue Foundation’s 2015 Sapphire Awards as an outstanding nonprofit organization in community health care in recognition of distinguished leadership, innovation and achievements in community health in Florida. Finalists were selected by an independent panel with state and national expertise in community health best practices. Following receipt of the highly competitive Sapphire Award, Miami Lighthouse received a three-year award from the Florida Blue Foundation as part of their “Advance Innovation and Promote Solutions in the Health Care System” initiative. The project “Bringing Low Vision Assessments to Underserved Populations and Training Professionals to Work with Seniors Affected by Age-Related Eye Disease” will help the South Florida health care community be better prepared to care for patients who are blind or visually impaired. • The Beacon Council chose Miami Lighthouse as the recipient of its Distinguished Industry Award in the Education category at the 13th Annual Beacon Awards. The prestigious Beacon Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the community by individuals, non-profits and various organizations in the Greater Miami area.• A peer-reviewed article about our nationally recognized, innovative, and copyrighted distance learning Braille music curriculum entitled “A New Synthesis of Sound and Tactile Music Code Instruction: Implementation Issues of a Pilot Online Braille Music Curriculum” appeared in the Practice Report section of the March-April 2015 Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. Financial Health

• Through effective work in seeking public funding and expanding philanthropic support, Miami Lighthouse enhanced its financial health and its sustainability while serving a more than 27-fold increase in clients since 2004. • Miami Lighthouse ranks nationally among the top 2% of the 8,000 nonprofit organizations evaluated by Charity Navigator based upon sound fiscal management and responsible use of donor dollars thus ranking as one of the elite 160 nonprofits in the nation that have received eight consecutive 4-star ratings, the highest rating possible, from the national evaluator Charity Navigator.


37

It’s Possible to See Without Sight™

• Thanks to the generosity of individuals, foundations, companies, and other organizations, Miami Lighthouse expanded our efforts in 2015. During 2015 the architectural firm of Wolfberg Alvarez was engaged for design services for our new Lighthouse Learning Center for Children™

because of our generous donors who stepped up to meet the challenge. The new facility is expected to be completed at the beginning of the 2017 school year when we launch our pre-kindergarten in the new space. Such a program will enable blind and visually impaired youngsters to transition more easily to the public school environment.

Our Mission StatementTo provide vision rehabilitation,

eye health services and education that promote independence, to collaborate with

and train professionals, and to conductresearch in related fields.

President and CEO’s Report to Stakeholders

68

Miami Lighthouse mid-1930’s Architect’s rendering of Miami Lighthouse Center of Excellence Expansion



100

95

90

85

80

75

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

3030 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is rated nationally among the top 2% of the 8,000 charities rated by CharityNavigator. In other words, we are among the elite 160 charities that have received eight consecutive 4-star ratings from the nation’spremier independent nonprofit evaluator Charity Navigator reflecting our sound fiscal management, responsible use of donor dollarsand financial strength.

2015 Charity Navigator Score

Source: Miami Lighthouse listing on Charity Navigator website

www.charitynavigator.org

Accountability & Transparency Score

Fin

an

cia

l Sco

re

SCORE RATING(out of 100) FY 2015

OVERALL 95.63

• Financial 93.82

• Accountability & Transparency

100

1

0

23

4


85the feel of sun on skin, toes cool withevery sinking step, the thick smell ofsalt and seaweed, therush of water bumping into land.easily, the most beautiful thingI’ve never seen.


Empowering the visually impaired for 85 years.


Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Inc.

601 SW 8th Avenue • Miami, Florida 33130 • 305.856.2288


It’s possible to see without sight

Documents

Transcript of It’s possible to see without sight