75 Year History

Historical Highlights of Lighthouse for the
Blind of the Palm Beaches

1946 – The West Palm Beach Lions Club, Inc. founds Lions Industries for the Blind, a charitable nonprofit organization with its primary function to provide employment for the blind.

Bessemer Properties donates a 100’ x 200’ lot, and Thrift, Inc. of Palm Beach donates $10,000 for a building at 7810 South Dixie Highway. Seven clients received services when the doors opened in September, 1946.

1950's - Sunshine Kindergarten opens.

1965 – The agency associates with National Industries for the Blind to strengthen its Industrial Center, gain federal contracts and expand employment opportunities.

1968 – Summer enrichment program for preteens is established.

1971 – Adjustment Training Program for older blind persons is inaugurated - one of the firsts in the country.

1975 – Facilities of the Lighthouse are doubled from 8,000 square feet to 16,000 square feet.

1976 – Vocational services are added to help blind and visually impaired individuals succeed at jobs.

1978 – The agency’s name is changed to Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches to reflect its broad range of services.

1979 – The Preschool Program (ages birth to 5) - the first  in Florida - grows from a summer program to a full-time; year-round service of the Lighthouse.

1988 – Low Vision Services are added, with clinics conducted by a specially trained optometrist and Lighthouse staff.

1989 – 1991 – The Lighthouse facility adds another 11,600 square feet, along with remodeling, to accommodate the needs of the area’s rapidly growing population.

1993 – 1995 – Program expansion continues, including Technology Training Center Special Equipment Grant Program, Computer Learning Program for Children and Support Groups.

1995 – Aids & Appliance Store opens, and an Outreach Program begins to provide adjustment training to older blind persons in Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties.

1996 – Outreach Assistance for children and young adults is added to Lighthouse services. Lighthouse celebrates its 50^th Anniversary.

2008 – Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches merges with Gulfstream Goodwill Industries and relocates to 1710 Tiffany Drive East.

2011 – In partnership with StingRay Outfitters, the Annual Lighthouse Ladies Fishing Tournament begins a
6 year run – raising almost a $100,000.
 

2012 – 2019 - Lighthouse partners with Kretzer Music Foundation to present David Crohan, a blind piano virtuoso, for the Music for the Mind Series.
 

2020 – Lighthouse separates from Gulfstream Goodwill and moves to a new location next to the JFK Medical Center North Campus.   
 

2021 – The organization celebrates 75 years of providing solutions for independence for the blind and visually impaired. After 42 years, Lighthouse rebrands with a new logo and tagline.