Welcome to the New Port Richey Lighthouse!

Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind provides no-cost vision rehabilitation that teaches people who are visually impaired of all ages to live more independently. After 20 years of providing vision rehabilitation services to thousands of people who are visually impaired and blind and their families at 8610 Galen Wilson Blvd. in Port Richey, the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind had to relocate.

We began an extensive fundraising campaign and the search for a suitable building. Within months, we realized designing a new building would be more cost effective than renovating an existing structure, and that our own design would increase accessibility for our clients. So the search for a suitable property began and we found the perfect property in New Port Richey.

On March 15, 2018, Lighthouse held a ground breaking event for our new home at 9130 Ridge Road. At the event, attended by over 100 people, we heard from clients, parents, board members, and the first staff member, Maureen, who spoke about the training and opportunities provided by the Lighthouse 30+ years ago. Maureen, who is a visually impaired person, was able to gain employment at the Lighthouse, and then went on to become a successful therapist for people who are visually impaired and blind. At the ground breaking, she expressed gratitude that Lighthouse continues to be a beacon for people experiencing vision loss, including those who want to join or return to the workforce. Learn more about the ground breaking and see photos from this special day.

Then, in April 2019, we moved into the New Port Richey Lighthouse. The new building is a dream come true for the Lighthouse and our clients—we combined two of our facilities and we gained thousands of square feet of wonderfully accessible teaching space. In our new facility, we are able to hold several programs simultaneously, and our clients have room to learn and more programs to teach them independent living skills.

Finally, on October 24, 2019, we held the New Port Richey Grand Opening. Thank you so much for making the NPR LVIB Grand Opening Celebration such a success!! We’re sharing great photos taken by J David Wright—thanks to Dave for his good work and to all who support people who are visually impaired and blind. We’re also sharing a few media hits we received along the way:

• Lighthouse for blind plans new building in New Port Richey, published on April 3, 2018 by Spectrum Bay News 9
• Lighthouse to launch construction of new facility, published on March 22, 2018 by The Suncoast News
• Lighthouse for Blind celebrates grand opening” published on November 5, 2019 by The Suncoast News

Request for Support

Lighthouse friends and family, when we first learned we had to relocate, we began several fundraising campaigns, including a Legacy Builder campaign, to help raise the needed funds. As a result, we received several donations, grants, including a CDBG grant for the property, and a State of Florida appropriation.

However, we are still looking for donations, grants, and other gifts, to assist with completing our new, larger facility, and completely equipping it. Here are ways your donations can be used:

• Furnishings, fixtures, and equipment that will make the new facility extremely accessible to people who are visually impaired and blind. Some of items needed include specialized lighting and contrast/tactile mats, to be used by clients and staff; client learning cubicles with noise reducing panels; independent living equipment for the client kitchen and classrooms, such as appliances (large and small), pots, pans, dishes, etc.); and orientation and mobility equipment to help teach white cane training.
• Design the way-finding system of color contrast and textures along the walls so people who are visually impaired and blind are able to navigate the NPR Lighthouse easily.
• Playground equipment for a very important place to play. A Sensory Garden, the Playground/Picnic Area, and our Park Players (musical instruments) have been installed, thanks to the generosity of several donors. Our vision for the Playground includes an accessible play area designed for babies, children, and teens who are visually impaired and blind.
• Pay down the mortgage. We are a long way from having the mortgage paid off.
• A detailed case for support is available upon request.
• Please also consider leaving a legacy/bequest that will help us serve people who are visually impaired and blind for years to come.
• Thank you to all the individuals and corporations who contributed to the Legacy Builder fundraising program. A plaque recognizing all these donors hangs in the recognition hall at the New Port Richey Lighthouse.
• Learn about all the ways you can give, or click on the orange DONATE NOW button on our website to make a donation.

On behalf of the Lighthouse Board of Directors, the people we serve, and our staff, thank you for your consideration of this request, and thank you to the people who have already responded. We appreciate all of the support, big and small, as we work to meet the need for Lighthouse services.

A COPY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE’S OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 OR BY VISITING Check-a-Charity ON THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES’ WEBSITE. LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND BLIND, INC. IS REGISTERED UNDER CH662. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.