Lighthouse for the Blind (Tarrant County Association for the Blind)

A nonprofit organization

12% complete

$91,700 Goal

The Lighthouse was established during the Great Depression in 1935 with a directive from the Texas Commission for the Blind to create jobs for those with a significant visual impairment. Ms. Lewis organized a small group of workers and trained them in the caning of chairs and production of pillowcases, rugs, brooms, mops and other hand-sewn items. In addition to production workers, legally blind salesmen canvassed the Fort Worth community, going door-to-door in welcoming neighborhoods to sell the locally made items.

Today, the Lighthouse sales team has international reach and uses the Internet to build its customer base. Operations have evolved and now require an advanced set of job skills. Blind and visually impaired employees are trained to safely and precisely operate optical equipment, band saws, foam cutters, strappers, sonic welders, industrialized staplers and manufacture shipping containers, boxes, military supplies, paper goods, drug test cups and eyeglasses. The revenue generated from product sales pays the wages and full benefits of our blind labor force.

In addition to the Lighthouse Industrial Operation, our Client Services team provides unduplicated services to support the 61,000 residents in Fort Worth and surrounding areas who are blind and visually impaired.

As the largest employer of the blind in North Texas, the core mission of the Lighthouse to create job to increase its blind labor force. An astounding 70 percent of working-age blind adults are unemployed, and 80 percent of those are underemployed. The Lighthouse Optical Lab, launched in 2017, utilizes the blind to make glasses for the sighted!

The Lighthouse Promise: Companionship for Life to the Blind


Giving Activity

Mission

The Lighthouse for the Blind offers unduplicated services at no charge to blind and significantly visually impaired children, youth, adults and seniors to achieve their highest level of independence through competitive employment, specialized training, and client services.

Needs

Our most pressing need is to replace our HVAC System...

The Lighthouse Industrial Operation employs significantly visually impaired adults within our 80,000 square foot manufacturing plant, and we NEED $91,700 to cover the cost of replacing these antiquated and failing units with commercial-grade, roof-top air handling packaged systems. The total cost includes crane fees, curb adapter, economizers, parts, materials, labor, and permits. New units will be high efficiency, utilize RHIOA refrigerant, and will eliminate downtime, increase efficiency and improve production.

The Lighthouse has secured enough funding over the last few years to replace 12 of the 18 HVAC units located throughout the Lighthouse facility, including our manufacturing plant and warehouse. It is no longer fiscally responsible to continue purchasing parts and making repairs on the remaining six (6), which are currently functioning at minimum capacity including shutting off. This is an emergency request given the extreme summer temperatures show no sign of easing up, making working conditions not only uncomfortable but unsafe. Many of our employees face other challenges and medical conditions beyond blindness such as diabetes. Improved climate health and air quality allows for a safer working environment.

The life expectancy of each unit is up to 30 years, representing a sound return on investment.

The Lighthouse is the largest employer of the blind in Tarrant County, and our commitment to offer competitive and meaningful jobs since 1935 remains the focal point of our mission. Our industrial operation generates revenue to pay our blind employees and support our client services program, which directly impacts their lives by helping them overcome financial dependency, provide for their families, increase their self-worth, and stay connected to the community.

We appreciate your support, in advance!

Equity Statement

The Lighthouse is required by law, given our contracts with the federal government and our

association with National Industries for the Blind, to file an Affirmative Action plan every year

reflecting the diversity, equity and inclusion of our legally blind employees and clients, who

are an integral part of underserved and underrepresented community groups.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Lighthouse for the Blind (Tarrant County Association for the Blind)

Tax id (EIN)

75-1228722

Guidestar

Causes

Employment & Workforce Development, Intellectual, Developmental, and Physical Disabilities

Operating Budget

$1,000,000 - $2,999,999

Counties Served

Tarrant, Denton, Hood, Johnson, Parker, Wise

BIPOC Serving

Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, Other

BIPOC Leadership

Neither/None

Address

912 W. Broadway Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Phone

817-332-3341