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The Chicago Lighthouse Snapshot
The Chicago Lighthouse serves people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, and Veterans, in order for each to reach their full personal potential. Our programs build enduring success for our target populations and employees with lifelong knowledge, skills, and employment opportunities, support the discovery of new approaches for the empowerment of our communities, and sustain a social business enterprise that ensures success for our strategic ambitions.
The Chicago Lighthouse’s story began in 1906 when a group of prominent Chicago women came together to support individuals who were blind or visually impaired. After a few years of providing charitable services, such as blankets, food, and clothing, our work shifted to provide these individuals with the skills to live independently and with confidence. In the 1920s, we established an employment services program that helped clients develop workplace skills and jobs throughout the city. In 1955, we established a Low Vision Clinic to diagnose and treat individuals with vision impairments. In the 1970s, we founded an educational program that enabled students who were blind or visually impaired to learn to navigate a world built for the sighted.
We have continued to provide services to our clients as needed and as opportunities arose throughout the latter part of the 20th century and up to the present day. As technology has become an increasingly integral part of daily life, we have expanded our Assistive Technology services to help individuals with low vision find tools that accommodate their vision loss. Recognizing the need for more opportunities for people with all types of disabilities, we established a social enterprise contact center business that provides inclusive, supportive employment for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities. As former service members struggled to integrate into civilian life during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, we expanded our employment services to include Veterans. In October 2024, we opened The Foglia Residences, a 76-unit, income-qualifying residential building that provides safe, affordable, and accessible housing for people with disabilities and Veterans. It is the first building in the United States built specifically to accommodate individuals with visual impairments, financed using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
With 40 programs and services provided to 50,000 people every year, The Chicago Lighthouse is one of the most comprehensive social service agencies in the country. Additionally, many of our services are provided at no cost, and we never turn anyone away who needs assistance.
We have continued to provide services to our clients as needed and as opportunities arose throughout the latter part of the 20th century and up to the present day. As technology has become an increasingly integral part of daily life, we have expanded our Assistive Technology services to help individuals with low vision find tools that accommodate their vision loss. Recognizing the need for more opportunities for people with all types of disabilities, we established a social enterprise contact center business that provides inclusive, supportive employment for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have other disabilities. As former service members struggled to integrate into civilian life during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, we expanded our employment services to include Veterans. In October 2024, we opened The Foglia Residences, a 76-unit, income-qualifying residential building that provides safe, affordable, and accessible housing for people with disabilities and Veterans. It is the first building in the United States built specifically to accommodate individuals with visual impairments, financed using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
With 40 programs and services provided to 50,000 people every year, The Chicago Lighthouse is one of the most comprehensive social service agencies in the country. Additionally, many of our services are provided at no cost, and we never turn anyone away who needs assistance.
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