How We Make A Difference
The Lighthouse Voc - Ed Center,
Inc. is a private, non-profit (501-C-3)
business. In 1987, with a grant, we
started an experimental five day a
week, extended day program at
Little White Schoolhouse, in Mystic,
Connecticut, in response to parents
needs for respite time for their
children with disabilities. The special
education students that needed a
longer, more structured day to learn
appropriate social skills and
behaviors were considered the most
severe behaviorally and physically.
These students were segregated
from peers and their community. We
The Lighthouse Voc - Ed Center,
Inc. is a private, non-profit (501-C-3)
business. In 1987, with a grant, we
started an experimental five day a
week, extended day program at
Little White Schoolhouse, in Mystic,
Connecticut, in response to parents
needs for respite time for their
children with disabilities. The special
education students that needed a
longer, more structured day to learn
appropriate social skills and
behaviors were considered the most
severe behaviorally and physically.
These students were segregated
from peers and their community. We
decided to create programs that had structure, consistency, followed their
education plans and would slowly introduce children into their communities. It
took years to prepare a child with severe disabilities (ages 3 - 21) to become a
functioning adult. We worked on all the skills that a person with disabilities needs
to function more independently. We broke ground in Southeastern, Connecticut,
for providing an extended school program for children that most felt should be in
institutions, not the community. After tens years with us, these initial children are
now young adults who can appropriately go to restaurants, movies, and jobs. The
key to our success with these young people has been the long term consistency
with their educational, communication and behavior programs.
We engage children and adults in hands on learning experiences so that
choice and initiative are the basic elements of the learning process. We believe
that appropriate behavior and social skills are acquired when people can choose
to engage in activities without adult coercion. We encourage independence, social
appropriateness and problem solving though actual interactions in the community.
In June 1992, our grant with Little White Schoolhouse ended when the school
closed. We incorporated under the Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center name and started
again in November 1992 with no money, 2 students and a $ 1,500.00 gift from the
Southeastern Association for the Retarded for our insurance costs. A lot of
dedicated parents, teachers, therapists, and friends volunteered time to get us
started. We all worked long hours with little or no pay, because we believed in
what we were doing.
In 1997 we received a $100,000 grant from United Parcel Service to renovate
and open our site at the Groton Shopping Plaza. We were the only recipient in the
United States. United Parcel Service wished to give the money to a "small
business that would have a great effect on their community". Since then we have
continued working hard to fulfill United Parcel's wish. We feel we do have a
positive effect on our community. Our programs cover ages (5-70) and disabilities
(mild to severe) from morning to night, 5 days a week. We offer our site to local
groups to use (e.g. The Groton EMT's, Acceptance Group) because we believe that
all of us must work together and share.
In July, 2003 we opened a second site at 312 Main Street, Niantic, CT. This site is
within walking distance of stores, groceries, laundromat, restaurants and the
movies. We are quite fortunate to be able to have such wonderful staff and
community support, that we can expand.
In 2004, with the combined efforts of Dr. Lloyd Johnson (special services
director for East Lyme Schools), a local family and the Lighthouse Center, a house
was provided in the downtown Niantic for transitional and residential needs for
young ladies who need little support. The residence was opened in July 2005. A
second house in Niantic was provided in 2005 for the Lighthouse Center by
another family.
In 2007, a third house was purchased in Niantic for a Transition Academy for
students 18-21 years old, diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, High Functioning
Autism, or Non-Verbal Learning Disorders. As always, we are customer driven and
following directions of our participants and their families. We continue to look
forward, always growing and changing for the better.
The Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center Inc. Is a Private Special Education School
Established in 1992 to promote a quality community based program
encompassing the life skills necessary for individuals to function independently.
Every student's program is coordinated and designed to meet their individual
needs as determined by their teachers, therapists, speech pathologists, cases
managers, doctors, and families. This is an integral part of our job.
Success oriented, integrated group activities are designed according to age and
behavior. As a student feels more successful and confident, all areas of their life
improve, especially behavior. We are committed to using the Donnellan &
LaVigna's technique for NON-AVERSIVE BEHAVIOR, NO RESTRAINTS.
We believe in a holistic program that addresses all aspects of a young
person's life.
choice and initiative are the basic elements of the learning process. We believe
that appropriate behavior and social skills are acquired when people can choose
to engage in activities without adult coercion. We encourage independence, social
appropriateness and problem solving though actual interactions in the community.
In June 1992, our grant with Little White Schoolhouse ended when the school
closed. We incorporated under the Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center name and started
again in November 1992 with no money, 2 students and a $ 1,500.00 gift from the
Southeastern Association for the Retarded for our insurance costs. A lot of
dedicated parents, teachers, therapists, and friends volunteered time to get us
started. We all worked long hours with little or no pay, because we believed in
what we were doing.
In 1997 we received a $100,000 grant from United Parcel Service to renovate
and open our site at the Groton Shopping Plaza. We were the only recipient in the
United States. United Parcel Service wished to give the money to a "small
business that would have a great effect on their community". Since then we have
continued working hard to fulfill United Parcel's wish. We feel we do have a
positive effect on our community. Our programs cover ages (5-70) and disabilities
(mild to severe) from morning to night, 5 days a week. We offer our site to local
groups to use (e.g. The Groton EMT's, Acceptance Group) because we believe that
all of us must work together and share.
In July, 2003 we opened a second site at 312 Main Street, Niantic, CT. This site is
within walking distance of stores, groceries, laundromat, restaurants and the
movies. We are quite fortunate to be able to have such wonderful staff and
community support, that we can expand.
In 2004, with the combined efforts of Dr. Lloyd Johnson (special services
director for East Lyme Schools), a local family and the Lighthouse Center, a house
was provided in the downtown Niantic for transitional and residential needs for
young ladies who need little support. The residence was opened in July 2005. A
second house in Niantic was provided in 2005 for the Lighthouse Center by
another family.
In 2007, a third house was purchased in Niantic for a Transition Academy for
students 18-21 years old, diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome, High Functioning
Autism, or Non-Verbal Learning Disorders. As always, we are customer driven and
following directions of our participants and their families. We continue to look
forward, always growing and changing for the better.
The Lighthouse Voc-Ed Center Inc. Is a Private Special Education School
Established in 1992 to promote a quality community based program
encompassing the life skills necessary for individuals to function independently.
Every student's program is coordinated and designed to meet their individual
needs as determined by their teachers, therapists, speech pathologists, cases
managers, doctors, and families. This is an integral part of our job.
Success oriented, integrated group activities are designed according to age and
behavior. As a student feels more successful and confident, all areas of their life
improve, especially behavior. We are committed to using the Donnellan &
LaVigna's technique for NON-AVERSIVE BEHAVIOR, NO RESTRAINTS.
We believe in a holistic program that addresses all aspects of a young
person's life.
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