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Volunteer Program

The Volunteer Program at Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind offers individuals and community groups the opportunity to contribute volunteer services to people who are blind or visually impaired.

Each year, more than 100 individual volunteers contribute over 20,000 hours of service to CLB. Additionally, CLB partners with local community groups to create unique opportunities for its members to volunteer their services for projects that benefit people with impaired vision.

More help is needed. We invite you to make a difference in the life of someone who is blind or visually impaired.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Readers & Friendly Visitors

  Participants in the Readers & Friendly Visitors program are adult volunteers who are matched one-on-one with blind or visually impaired adults and senior citizens.  Volunteers arrange weekly meetings with clients at their homes or another mutually convenient location to assist with daily activities, such as reading mail, grocery shopping or running errands.  Adult volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application with reference checks and participate in an evening orientation session.
  

• Phone-a-Friend
  
  Participants in the Phone-a-Friend program are adult volunteers who are matched one-on-one with blind or visually impaired adults and senior citizens.  Volunteers engage in weekly telephone conversations with clients to discuss current  national events and topics.  Adult volunteers are required to complete a volunteer application with reference checks and participate in an orientation session.
  
• Lighthouse Camp Counselors
  
  Lighthouse Camp Counselors are primarily student volunteers who are matched one-on-one with blind or visually impaired children during Camp Lighthouse Summer Programs.  Student volunteers assist campers with a variety of camp activities, including sports, arts and crafts, computer labs, swimming and field trips.  Student volunteers must be 16 years of age, have completed at least one year of high school and are required to attend a camp orientation and training session.
  
• Special Events
  
  Adult and student volunteers are needed throughout the year to assist with special events.  CLB also offers opportunities for community groups to sponsor special events that benefit children who are blind or visually impaired and their families.
  

• Staffing and Career Services


 

Volunteers will assist Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind's Staffing & Career
Services Department in training its adult clients to learn the skills
necessary for professional employment and development.  There are several
ways for you to become involved in the enrichment of a client's professional
growth. 

• Other Opportunities
  
  Volunteer Support is periodically needed to assist CLB staff with assembly and distribution of event and donor information.

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  Interested in Volunteering?

  Those interested in becoming a CLB volunteer must attend an orientation session to learn more about working with people who are blind or visually impaired.  These sessions are held once a month.
  
  To register for an upcoming orientation date and time, please contact the Manager of Community  Development, Jocelyn Hunter - jhunter@clb.org or call 202-454-6422.
  

  ----   Read more about becoming a volunteer here ---

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  Tips for Volunteers

  -- Tips on how to include persons with visual impairments in recreational activities--

  • Speak to individuals with visual impairments by name; identify and introduce yourself. 

  • Describe the environment and what is going on in the room. 

  • Introduce individuals with visual impairments to others.  Let others introduce themselves so the individual with visual impairments can become familiar with their voices.

  • Make a specific point of including people with visual impairments in activities and discussions in social occasion.

  • When you must leave, inform the individuals with visual impairments.  Also, introduce the individual to another person and put them in touch with a table, chair, wall or another person.

  • While demonstrating an activity, verbally describe what is being done.  Use specific directions.  Name body parts and objects being used.
  • Have individuals with visual impairments seated close to a demonstration so that the person can see or touch (if appropriate) and assistance can be easily given, if needed.
  • Ask the individuals with visual impairments if, and what kind of, assistance is needed.  Use sighted guide techniques to physically guide if needed or desired.  Also allow the person freedom and independence to try new things.

  • Specifically name and describe objects being used.  Enable the visually impaired person to arrange materials where they can be found independently.

  • Use your own creativity as well as adapted games and equipment to enable the individuals with visual impairments to participate.

  Remember:  It may take people with visual impairments a little longer to learn something new because they cannot see how it is done.  Please be patient.