Agenda 06/14/2016 Item # 5B 6/14/2016 S.B.
The Greater Naples Chamber of Norm-
,
Serving all of(oilier(000ty
Collier County Business of the Month
Nomination Form
Each month, The Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Collier County
Commissioners recognize an organization that has enhanced the community through financial,
volunteer and active involvement in organizations and programs that assist in creating a better
quality of life for all citizens in Collier County.
The honoree is presented with a commemorative plaque at the Board of County
Commissioners meeting. A photo and news release is distributed to all Southwest Florida
media and Chamber members, as well as featured in Business CurrentsTM Magazine, the
Chamber's website, and promoted through social media.
Please email the completed nomination form below to Kristi Bartlett at
kristi(cr�napleschamber.orq.
Business Name: Lighthouse of Collier, Inc.
Owner/Executive Name: Robin Goldstone Garcia
Email: robin@lighthouseofcollier.org
Phone: 239-430-3934
Business Description (50 words or less): A leader of excellence in vision rehabilitation helping the
blind/vision impaired socialize,navigate and communicate while feeling safe in a sighted world. The
ultimate goal is for our clients to regain/gain independence, ensuring they have access to all the things
that others who are not visually impaired have access to.
Year Founded: 2009
How has the organization enhanced the community through financial, volunteer and active
involvement in organizations and programs? (500 words or less):
Lighthouse of Collier is the only rehabilitation center for blindness and vision loss in Collier County,
providing and offering services to many of the estimated 14,000 children and adults in Collier County
who are blind/visually impaired. It is our main focus to empower our blind and visually impaired clients
2390 Tamiami Trail North,Suite 210,Naples,FL 34103
239.262.6376 1239.262.8374
www.napleschamber.org
Packet Page-8-
6/14/2016 5.B.
to be independent through experiences, education and socialization, leading to an enhanced quality of
life for them and their families. Our core services are essentially divided into two categories; Adult
Program's and Children's programs. The Adult programs teach safe navigation, socialization, vocational
rehabilitation and communication skills while preventing social isolation and ensuring those who want
to work have been given the proper training to resume their current employment or gain employment.
The goal for our clients is for them to regain or gain independence while feeling safe in a sighted world.
Accomplishments and joys such as shopping, dining, attending and participating in recreational
activities are a right, not a privilege, for individuals who are blind and visually impaired. Lighthouse
programs incorporate Life Enrichment Classes for Blind and Visually Impaired adults designed to
improve and expand the lives of students young and old. Such classes may include continuous arts and
crafts classes to improve dexterity(which is important in learning Braille), exercise classes and lectures
that focus on fitness and wellness, field trips and music enjoyment. This will provide our clients the
opportunity to become part of a peer community and learn from the experiences of others who may have
similar issues that go with vision loss. The children's programs is separated into three categories in
order to provide age appropriate services to our clients. Our children's programs bring children who are
blind and visually impaired together on a continuing basis to experience and teach socialization,
developmental and learning skills while having fun. Children who are blind and visually impaired need
to experience as many real life events as possible through sports, field trips and contact with their
environment, and the use of arts and crafts helps enhance their creativity. It identifies negative or self-
stimulating behaviors that can be addressed and corrected on an ongoing basis. This will enhance their
interpersonal relationships and future employment opportunities. LOC provides the opportunity to go
on field trips to enhance awareness of sports and other physical activates, helping them to realize that.
they, too, can participate and enjoy such activates as their sighted friends. All of these activates aide in
their self-esteem, body coordination and sensory training. Lighthouse of Collier ensures that our Clients
have access to all the things that others who are not visually impaired have access to, despite their
disability. We utilize professionally trained staff to work with children to identify problem areas,
(mobility issues, gross and fine motor skills). This would not be possible without the hard work and
dedication of the qualified staff and over 35 volunteers that work with the children during our summer
camp program, an additional 20 during our events and 10 that assist with office work.
2390 Tamiami Trail North,Suite 210,Naples,FL 34103
239.262.6376 1239.262.8374
www.napleschamber.org
Packet Page -9-
6/14/2016 5.B.
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 5.5.B.
Item Summary: Presentation of the Collier County Business of the Month for June 2016 to
Lighthouse of Collier, Inc.To be accepted by Robin Goldstone Garcia, Executive Director,
Lighthouse of Collier, Inc. and Kristi Bartlett,Vice President, Economic Development,the
Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce.
Meeting Date: 6/14/2016
Prepared By
Name: BrownleeMichael
Title: Executive Coordinator to Commissioner,
6/7/2016 11:18:20 AM
Submitted by
Title: Executive Coordinator to Commissioner,
Name: BrownleeMichael
6/7/2016 11:18:21 AM
Approved By
Name: SheffieldMichael
Title: Manager-Communications&Cust.Relations,Communication&Customer Relations Division
Date: 6/7/2016 11:34:48 AM
Name: CasalanguidaNick
Title:Deputy County Manager, County Managers Office
Date: 6/7/2016 12:05:09 PM
Packet Page -10-