| MISSION |
Create opportunities for individual independence by providing
rehabilitation programs and employment opportunities that measurably improve the lives of blind or visually-impaired individuals. |
| COMPANY |
The San Antonio Lighthouse is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
incorporated in the State of Texas, serving people who are blind or visually impaired for 75 years. The San Antonio Lighthouse provides rehabilitation services through its Rehabilitation Center and employment opportunities through its Manufacturing Plant and Military Base Supply Stores. The Lighthouse annually contributes an estimated $50M to the local economy. |
The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind – Touches lives of the blind and severely vision impaired. We accomplish this through employment in our manufacturing plant and military stores and our rehabilitation programs. These opportunities allow people to live productive lives with dignity….turning dis-ABILITY into ABILITY. The Lighthouse is the community icon for training, educating and enabling the blind and visually impaired, in addition to being a leader in manufacturing and sales to and support of the military.
The San Antonio Lighthouse. . . . . .
- Has been operating and supporting the blind in San Antonio since 1933---Almost 77 years!
- Provides services to over 3500 people who are blind and severely visually impaired every year
- Is the 4th largest manufacturing operation in the city:
- Making and selling the only “US-made” pens, pencils and highlighters in San Antonio
- Supporting our troops through contracts with the Army, Navy, and Air Force (uniforms, helmet chinstraps, and oil analysis kits)
- Employs over 500 people -- 250 of whom are blind
(Average pay of $8.00-$15.00 per hour with full medical benefits)
- Added 75 new jobs to the San Antonio workforce in 2009
- Is one of only two agencies for the disabled in the world to be awarded quality certifications of both ISO 9001 and AS 9001 (aerospace)
- Operates 13 mission-support stores on 11 military installations across Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma (including Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases). A 14th store is soon to be built on Ft. Sam Houston.
- Maintains an E-Commerce website with nearly 50,000 office supplies and furniture products, many of which are produced by people who are blind (http://stores.salighthouse.org)
- Operates one of the only Senior Centers in Texas for the blind/visually impaired over the age of 55
- Operates the only Low Vision Store in Texas
- Invests its profits in providing services that improve the quality of life for people who are blind and severely vision impaired
- Functions as a “One-Stop Shop” for the blind in San Antonio. Some of the critical services provided are:
- Technology training
- Independent living skills
- Vocational assessment
- School to work transitioning –(ages 16 to 21)
- Job placement
- Employment
- Scholarships
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS 2009
San Antonio Independent Living (SAILS)
Named San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind (SALB) Employer of the Year for our hiring practices
AARP
Named SALB one of the top 50 companies in the country to work in for people over 50
Best Companies Group in conjunction with Texas Monthly
The SALB Ranked #17 in the top 85 places to work in all of Texas
The Boeing Company
Recognized the SALB for “Outstanding” Efforts
San Antonio Business Journal
Recognized SALB as the 4th largest manufacturer in San Antonio
San Antonio Business Journal
Recognized as the largest non-profit in San Antonio |
