Latest news with #LightHouse
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Influential San Francisco nonprofit faces uncertain financial future
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired has served people in San Francisco for over 122 years. Now, community members fear for the nonprofit institution's future. The organization received a $125 million bequest a decade ago, but today, its story is of financial distress. It lost over $17 million when the bank foreclosed its Market Street property last year. The organization has laid off 40 employees, or 23% of its staff, since January, interim CEO Brandon Cox told the Chronicle in an interview, and more layoffs may be necessary. The LightHouse is one of the largest and most influential blindness organizations in the country and the only one along the coast from San Francisco to the Oregon border. It runs early childhood education programs; a beloved summer camp in Napa; a factory employing blind workers in Alameda; and mobility and orientation training for adults losing their sight, along with many other classes. It served over 3,000 clients in the fiscal year ending in June. The organization recently closed its Humboldt County office and will close its Berkeley campus next year, Cox said. It does not plan to hire a permanent CEO until next year. The average wait to receive services from the LightHouse is two to three months long, as it has been for a few years, said Summer Sanzo Dittmer, vice president of external affairs. Community members said even a few months' delay could be devastating to people facing a blindness prognosis, who often experience depression. However, one blind client told the Chronicle that she is currently on a wait list for up to one-and-a-half years to receive training to use a white cane. The LightHouse receives federal funds to provide deafblind clients — people with some level of both hearing and vision loss — technical support for communication devices like keyboards with braille displays, but a client and a former employee told the Chronicle the organization's services are often unreliable after staffing cuts. That program has retained funding for the coming year, and it receives additional federal dollars along with income and grants from the state, city, corporations and private donors. Not all of those funds are guaranteed going forward. The Trump administration's estimated $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid in its tax and spending bill are expected to put more pressure on private organizations like the LightHouse to provide services — at the same time that many nonprofits are struggling. And while blindness can happen to anyone, whether through disease, accident or birth, visual impairment is expected to exponentially increase among baby boomers in the next decades, making the LightHouse's services even more essential in the aging Bay Area. The LightHouse's management insists that services have not changed since the layoffs, which it said are part of needed adjustments to put the organization on a path for success. Nonetheless, blind community members continue to report difficulty getting access to training and support, even though the organization has $80 million in assets that could go toward boosting its operations. 'My major concern is that we're on a slippery slope of loss of blindness services in Northern California,' said Joshua Miele, a former board chair of the LightHouse who is blind and recipient of a 2021 MacArthur Fellowship, known as a 'genius grant,' for his work designing blind adaptive technology. 'I'm worried that we're only seeing the beginning of the repercussions of the financial irresponsibility that has happened in the last few years' at the LightHouse, he said. Jennison Asuncion, the chair of the LightHouse's board, said that the board is 'laser-focused' on ensuring long-term stability of the organization, and that it will determine if more layoffs are necessary this fall when it finalizes its budget. 'No one on the board is thinking or talking about the demise of the LightHouse,' he said. 'It's had such a storied history since 1902.' Diana McCown, the LightHouse's chief of rehabilitation, said that the layoffs included a small percentage of service providers. The wait time depends on a person's individual needs and source of funding, whether it's the California Department of Rehabilitation, Veterans Affairs or other sources, she said, and that no one is turned away or charged for services. 'We are still maintaining our level of service that people know and love,' she said. Not all who are involved with, or rely on, the LightHouse are so confident. Margie Donovan, 63, a former board member who began attending the organization's Enchanted Hills Camp at age 9, helped organize a rally in front of the LightHouse offices last month to call for new leadership. 'The situation is grim and we need the LightHouse to stay open,' said Donovan, who lives in Folsom (Sacramento County). Miele and Donovan questioned how the organization allowed the default to happen when it still had assets from its windfall bequest. They and five other members of the Bay Area blind community told the Chronicle they are concerned about the future of the LightHouse and angry that the organization has said it does not plan to have a permanent CEO in place until next April. Asuncion said finding a new CEO is one of the board's top priorities, but that 'we won't rush for rush's sake,' adding they needed time to find the right fit. It is unclear if the LightHouse's financial struggles are a result of wasteful spending, of growing too fast after its bequest, as a recent San Francisco Standard article reported, or of the economic challenges hitting all types of nonprofits and for-profit businesses. For example, the pandemic played a role in its default, because the main tenant in its office building, the city of San Francisco, left in part because of the glut of commercial real estate. And after the 2017 Wine Country fires burned Enchanted Hills Camp, the LightHouse committed to $55 million to rebuild it. 'This may be symptomatic of what is affecting the nonprofits, not just in disability rights and access, but really widely across the sector,' said Kara Wentworth, executive director of the Nonprofit Center at La Salle University in Philadelphia. Nonprofits reported anticipating a surge in demand for their services in a 2020 survey, and now many other financial factors are impacting them, Wentworth said. But after big events like a loan default and layoffs, it's essential that an organization communicates its strategy, she said. 'I hope that the organization is able to speak to that in a way that allows people to understand and trust that there is a strong plan in place.' Cox said that the changes the organization is making are intended to secure long-term stability. One example, he said, is the LightHouse will save $250,000 per year by relinquishing its Berkeley location. 'If we didn't make changes now and we continued along the same trajectory, we would be concerned about the future of the organization,' he said. Cox said he does not believe financial mismanagement took place at the organization. 'Our previous CEOs have been innovators and they wanted to do big, big things in the blindness world,' he said. Some of that ambition was sparked when the LightHouse learned that a Seattle businessman had left it $125 million in 2014, dwarfing its usual annual income of around $1 million. The following year, it became the majority owner of its current property on 1155 Market St, and in 2016 left behind a longtime location on Van Ness Avenue to take over the top three floors. In the renovation, Bay Area architect Chris Downey, who is blind, added acoustic elements so that blind people could navigate the space more easily, wrote Andrew Leland in his 2023 memoir, 'The Country of the Blind.' 'Normally, a center serving the blind would be in an infinitely more modest space,' wrote Leland. But the bequest helped make the LightHouse 'one of the most innovative blindness rehabilitation centers in the country,' he said. The city of San Francisco had long rented out the eight bottom floors, part of a separate parcel from the top three floors. The LightHouse and a partner took out a $48 million loan for the space. But after the city decided that the rent was too high, its departure triggered the default in June 2024, because the loan was contingent on having a tenant, Cox said. The LightHouse still retains ownership of the top three floors of the building under a separate loan of $28.5 million, though the value of that property has dropped from $28 million to $4.7 million, according to Dittmer. Cox said the original purchase of the building, at the time, 'was a smart thing to do. No one could imagine that property values would plummet.' But Miele, the former board chair, disagrees that the organization was simply a victim of the pandemic. He said that the organization's leadership should have worked harder with the city and been more prepared. 'I understand that there was a pandemic and lots of people had trouble, but this was next-level negligence,' he said. 'They were not proactively trying to plan for the future or avoid this fiscal crisis.' About six months before the default, the LightHouse had close to $117 million in unrestricted liquid assets, meaning funds not designated for specific purposes by donors and that the board had set aside for 'subsidizing operating deficits' among other potential uses, according to the organization's September 2023 financial audit. The organization considered using those assets to prevent the default but decided it would not make sense in the long term without a tenant, Cox said. The offices are still empty. Around the time of the default, the organization also increased its staff, spending around $13 million on personnel in the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years, up from around $11 million in 2022, according to its audits, which was one of the reasons for the layoffs, said Dittmer. Though the LightHouse said that the layoffs haven't impacted services, some community members report long wait times. Patti Knochenhauer of Santa Rosa said she was told by a LightHouse employee in March that she would have to wait one to one-and-a-half years for mobility training she needs to get a guide dog. Knochenhauer said her family does not want her to go out without one because they fear for her safety. 'I'm pretty much housebound and it's really lonely,' said Knochenhauer, who is 69. In October, Knochenhauer reached out to the Earle Baum Center, where she had received services after first losing her sight in 2018. The LightHouse took over the Santa Rosa center last year and laid off five employees, then brought one of them back part-time, said Cox. 'We're on less than a skeleton crew,' said Knochenhauer. Knochenhauer declined to allow the Chronicle to share her name with management, so Cox said that he could not comment directly on her case. But he said that 'the staff member misspoke' and that there are no clients waiting that long for services, in an email. Susan Kitazawa of San Francisco first went to the LightHouse to learn how to use a white cane and get around the city 20 years ago, when the former registered nurse learned she had severe optic nerve damage and was 'living with terror' at the prospect of losing her sight. Now also a volunteer and donor at the organization, Kitazawa continues to rely on its access to technology services. While it used to be reasonably easy to communicate, she said in recent years the LightHouse has not responded to calls. Cox said that anyone experiencing problems should reach out to their service navigator, a new role created by the organization. He also said the organization has a complaint line for which there are no active complaints. However, deafblind clients staged a protest against the LightHouse in front of its Berkeley location last month and said they're struggling to access technology that is essential to their lives. They're part of a LightHouse program that provides communications devices, training and technical support to deafblind clients throughout California. The Federal Communications Commission awarded the LightHouse $832,853 to run the program in the fiscal year ending in June 2025. It served 126 active participants that year, according to the LightHouse. Angela Palmer of Hayward said the LightHouse recently reassigned or laid off employees in the program who were skilled in braille technology as well as tactile American Sign Language, which deafblind people use to communicate by signing into each other's hands. About a year ago, the LightHouse replaced those staff members with a person who knows tactile ASL but has limited ability in braille technology, she said. Palmer uses a keyboard with a refreshable braille display connected to her iPhone and computer to read and send messages, and to check her bank account and medical records. But she said the LightHouse trainer did not set up the phone correctly, leaving her unable to send emails and more reliant on her partner. 'It makes me feel inadequate, isolated, worried about my future,' she said. Four other members of the program provided video testimonials reporting similar problems, which they posted on a website calling for the FCC to stop working with the LightHouse. Cox said the individuals did not contact LightHouse directly with their complaints. Palmer, however, said she did inform the LightHouse of the issue recently. McCown said that the LightHouse has 10 staff members who can assist deafblind clients, and that all are proficient in braille. However, the LightHouse said it had only three employees working in the program in July 2024, in its response to a complaint former employee Mussie Gebre filed with the Federal Communications Commission, alleging the LightHouse provided insufficient staffing and failed to hire qualified personnel. Only one of those employees still works in the program full-time, said Gebre, who is deafblind and lives in Oakland. The LightHouse has asked the FCC to dismiss the complaint and denies the allegations. Gebre said he expects the FCC to respond in the coming weeks. 'Our ultimate objective is ensuring deafblind people can use the telephone or Internet to communicate with their families, and emergency services,' he said, 'access that the rest of society takes for granted.'
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
New Wolverhampton Lockworks Cinema to open next week
The date for the opening of a new independent cinema in Wolverhampton city centre has been Cinema is taking over the space formerly occupied by The Light House, an independent cinema and arts venue which closed in 2022 after 35 much anticipated four-screen cinema will open to the public on Friday 11 July, after the 8,000 sq ft council-owned space was converted by independent commercial operator of Wolverhampton Council said PDJ had recruited locally for the three permanent and 20 part-time jobs created. PDJ and the council made a joint £2m investment in the refurbishment programme of the cinema and have entered into a 30-year council claims the venue is predicted to attract up to 130,000 visitors a year to the city centre at full flow and boost the local economy by £500,000 annually. James Jervis, director at PDJ Management, said: "We're incredibly excited to welcome film lovers back to Wolverhampton city centre from next week. "We're confident audiences will love what we've done with the cinema, and we're committed to delivering the very best experience for our customers." City of Wolverhampton Council leader Stephen Simkins said: "PDJ have delivered an exciting, affordable luxury offer in our city centre that will bring joy to thousands and thousands of movie-goers, young and old."It is all part of a transformation creating new destinations, better public spaces and inner-city living opportunities, coupled to a broader entertainment and events programme, to attract more visitors - helping both existing and new businesses to thrive and grow." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
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Business Standard
03-07-2025
- General
- Business Standard
Lucknow, Pune, Indore ranked among India's top-performing municipal bodies
Municipal corporations of Lucknow, Pune, and Indore were recognized among the best-performing urban local bodies during the first national conference of ULBs held in Gurugram, Haryana on Thursday. At the National Level Conference of Urban Local Bodies of States and Union Territories in Gurugram's Manesar, public representatives and administrative officers from these cities shared their best practices with counterparts from other states, fostering a collaborative exchange of innovative urban development strategies. Lucknow highlighted initiatives such as the use of e-vehicles for waste collection in place of diesel or petrol-powered vehicles, establishment of high-capacity waste processing plants, and transformation of dumping sites into national inspiration points. Pune showcased its ward-wise waste collection systems, electricity generation through biogas plants, and integrated waste management techniques. Similarly, Indore presented successful models involving GPS-enabled garbage collection vehicles, the 'Safai Mitra' workforce, and active public participation in maintaining cleanliness. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan were among dignitaries who addressed the event. Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal said that the foundation of a developed India by 2047 rests on strong and efficient ULBs, where capable leadership and active citizen participation play a pivotal role. She said that despite a population of nearly 50 lakh, Lucknow has emerged as a zero-waste city. The city has also developed urban forests using the 'Miyawaki' method (effective tree planting methods for creating forest cover quickly) and deployed mechanical sweepers to clean roads. To boost eco-tourism, attractions like the Mango Museum Park and nature trails are being created, Kharkwal said. According to an official statement, Pune's waste management strategy, implemented since 2007, has significantly improved the quality of life for its residents. During the national conference, Pune Municipal Commissioner Puneet Raj and ward councillors presented impactful examples of waste collection and electricity generation from ward-level biogas plants. They also highlighted successful initiatives such as slum redevelopment projects, ?transformed into permanent housing following necessary policy amendments, ?and the adoption of the Light House project under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. A standout example of sustainable development is Pune's "tree ambulance" service and dedicated call centre for urban greenery maintenance. Additionally, the city has introduced smart water meters and launched the Swachh Cooperative initiative for effective solid waste management. Pune has also established 26 'Triple R' centres, where reusable items are made available to those in need. During a key session of the two-day national conference, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava and Commissioner Shivam Verma's team shared the fundamental approach that has helped Indore retain its title as India's cleanest city. Addressing municipal representatives from across the country, they emphasized that cleanliness in Indore is not just a civic duty, ?it's a collective cultural mindset. Indore, which comprises 85 municipal wards, has successfully instilled a strong sense of ownership among its citizens toward keeping their homes, neighbourhoods, streets, and public spaces clean. This citizen-driven model is complemented by the dedication of Safai Mitras, who begin their duties every day at 6 am, playing a crucial role in implementing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on the ground, said the official statement. The city's sanitation operations are rigorously monitored by the local administration. Each waste collection vehicle is GPS-enabled, and delays as short as 10 minutes trigger immediate accountability measures for the driver concerned. This disciplined approach has resulted in the imposition of over Rs 1.5 crore in fines within a single year against those violating cleanliness norms. As part of the city's digital transformation, unique ID numbers and QR codes are being affixed to homes. Residents can scan these codes to access municipal services and receive important civic information. Additionally, to address traffic congestion, trained volunteers are engaging directly with citizens to promote traffic awareness and responsible road behaviour. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Light House
YouTube / May 16, 2025, 06:59AM IST Watch the Official Trailer from Kannada movie 'Light House' starring Shobharaj Pavoor, Manasi Sudhir, Prakash Tuminadu, Pruthvi Ambar and Deepak Rai Panaje. 'Light House' movie is directed by Sandeep Kamath Ajekar. To know more about 'Light House' trailer watch the video. Check out the latest Kannada trailers, new movie trailers, trending Kannada movie trailers, and more at ETimes - Times of India Entertainment.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists discover promising solution for looming global crisis: 'The potential is pretty large'
With all the havoc carbon can wreak on our environment, have we ever considered just sort of hiding it away from the atmosphere? If that sounds impossible, well, it actually might not be. At least not according to a new study published in the Science journal. Researchers have found that storing carbon in building materials may provide some answers in our search to protect the environment. Over 30 billion tons of materials like asphalt, concrete, brick, plastics, and wood are created every year. If we can use them to store carbon, we may be able to keep that carbon out of the atmosphere. "The potential is pretty large," UC Davis grad student and lead researcher Elisabeth Van Roijen says. This concept is called "carbon sequestration," and it's not a new one. In fact, it's been around for decades, albeit in different forms from the one suggested in this study. But, how exactly does it work? To store carbon in building materials, it would require the use of biochar. Biochar is a carbon-rich material made from biomass or organic waste that can be used in the production of concrete, asphalt, plastics, and brick. According to researcher Sabbie Miller, "If 10% of the world's concrete aggregate production were carbonatable, it could absorb a gigaton of carbon dioxide." On top of the carbon storage these new building materials could provide, they also have the potential to promote and boost a circular economy. That could be a game-changer for humanity and the planet at large. Some of these materials are already available, while others are still works in progress. They're not the only environmentally friendly building materials out there, either. Canadian company Light House recently started a Construction Plastics Initiative seeking to recycle plastic waste used in construction into new building materials. Scientists have also recently developed a new technology that can help keep buildings cool without upping their energy consumption. While it's easy to get hung up on bad news about the environment, stories like these — and brilliant people who make them possible — offer plenty of hope. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
