Formerly San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Vision Impaired

The Mission City Golf Classic: A Charity Tournament FORE Empowerment is fast approaching on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa.

Enjoy a premier day of golf, take on our Mission Mini Challenges, and support Vibrant Works’ mission to empower individuals with vision loss to live independently and build meaningful careers.

The excitement doesn’t stop on the course. Don’t miss the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop! Numbered golf balls will be dropped from a helicopter, and the two balls landing closest to the pin will win BIG:

• The ball closest to the pin wins a $1,000 Visa gift card
• The ball second closest to the pin wins a $500 Visa gift card
• Purchase golf ball entries: 1 for $20, 3 for $50 or 5 for $80

Details:

• Purchase entries online by clicking "Register"
• Attendance not required to win
• Watch live on Facebook: @vibrantworksusa
• Winners notified by email

Every entry and sponsorship helps empower people with vision loss to thrive in every aspect of life.

In honor of National Falls Prevention Awareness Week in September, join us at our Center for Independence for an open house!

When: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 | 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Where: 2300 Roosevelt Ave, San Antonio, TX, 78210

Learn how you can reduce your risk of falling and stay safe, independent and active.

Activities and highlights include:

• Games, prizes and light refreshments
• Falls prevention demonstrations
• Safety demonstrations
• Smartphone training
• Resource information
• Falls risk assessments
• Orientation & Mobility demonstrations
• Low Vision pop-up store

For more information, call us at: 210-531-1547. See you there!

Vibrant Works is excited to join The Big Give 2025 with the goal of raising $15,000 to send children with vision loss to Camp Aranzazu!

This inclusive camp gives kids the chance to build confidence, make friends, and try new adventures, all in a supportive and accessible environment. Your generosity helps empower children with vision loss to thrive.

Mark your calendar:

Early Giving: Wednesday, Sept. 10 - Tuesday, Sept. 16

Big Give 2025: Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. - Thursday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m.

Stay tuned for more details!

We are incredibly proud of our very own Israel Bolivar, named the 2025 Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year by National Industries for the Blind (NIB)! 🎉

NIB recently featured Israel’s inspiring story, highlighting his resilience and determination. Despite losing his sight and both hands in a childhood accident, he joined Vibrant Works and now works as a full-time sander in our Tinker Department, finishing floorboards for the KC-135 aircraft. His positivity and courage inspire everyone around him.

What inspired you to join the Vibrant Works board?

Two main reasons: First, as an individual who is visually impaired, I wanted to help ensure others in the community who are blind or visually impaired have the opportunity to live a life like mine - independent, happy, educated, and gainfully employed. Second, I wanted to find out what it was like to work with an organization and Board of Directors known for the high quality and expertise that Vibrant Works is known for.

What do you love the most about Vibrant Works?

The mission and vision of the organization, and the people that make it work.

When did you join the Vibrant Works board?

I started in 2019 while Mike Gilliam was CEO and was proudly a member of the Board that selected Cindy Watson as his successor. Then, in my sixth year, I was elected Chair of the Board - an honor and privilege that will be hard to beat! This year, 2025, is my final year as Immediate Past Chair, and by the end of the year, I will sincerely miss being an active part of such an exciting and meaningful organization!

What is a fun fact about you?

I have always been horse-crazy - I think I just came out of the womb that way! As a kid, I would always find the pony rides at fairs, and on carousels, I would only ride the most horse-like creatures I could find. I was (and am) an Army brat, and while in Germany, I actually had the opportunity to take riding lessons. I turned out to be pretty good, so much so that my instructor encouraged my parents to let me continue.

Next, we landed in El Paso/Fort Bliss, and I began my life as a horse owner and trainer, including working as a part-time manager of a horse barn. I seriously considered giving up my day job as a Research Assistant at the VA Hospital, but by then I had to admit that my eye condition (retinitis pigmentosa) wasn’t going to go away or get better. I figured that being astride or in and among 1,000-pound creatures wasn’t the best vocation for me.

These days, I’m just dog-crazy, especially about my guide dog, Mark, but I still love horses and sometimes get a little teary-eyed when I’m able to pet one.

What is your occupation?



I am a professional retiree after 42 years with the Veterans Health Administration. Prior to my retirement at the end of 2023, I served as a Study Project Manager for medical research studies ranging from Parkinsonism, prosthetics, and amputation to human movement analysis. I also hold a Master’s and a PhD in Public Health.

Thank you, Gail, for your outstanding leadership and unwavering support on the Vibrant Works Board.