October Highlights: White Cane Safety Day, Kevin’s Story + More

Formerly San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Building New Skills, Creating New Opportunities: Kevin’s Story

When Kevin Linnartz joined Vibrant Works, he had no experience in sewing or manufacturing. Today, he’s one of the top performers in his department, building new skills and discovering new opportunities for growth.

After years of working as an electrician, Kevin began exploring a different career path as his vision declined. At Vibrant Works, he found an opportunity to put his abilities to work while learning something completely new.

Through hands-on training and support from his manufacturing team, Kevin learned to assemble chin strap cushions and recently reached a personal milestone of producing 500 in a single day. He’s now expanding his skills by learning to operate additional sewing machines.

“I want to learn everything,” Kevin shared. “I want to learn every aspect of this job.”

Kevin Linnartz smiles at the camera while working with materials at his workstation in the Vibrant Works manufacturing facility.

Vibrant Works Celebrates White Cane Safety Day

In recognition of White Cane Safety Day on Oct. 15, Vibrant Works held its annual celebration on Oct. 7, bringing together employees, community partners and special guests to celebrate the independence, mobility and freedom the white cane represents for people with vision loss.

Employees at our Eads and Roosevelt locations participated in white cane walks, followed by a special program at Eads that was livestreamed to Roosevelt and our Base Supply Centers.

Vibrant Works President & CEO Cindy Watson welcomed attendees and reflected on the important role the white cane plays in building confidence and independence.

Vibrant Works President and CEO Cindy Watson with White Cane Safety Day guests, including Sonia Canales, diversity and inclusion manager at H-E-B; Sandy Gallagher, sales manager at Cleanlogic; Jeremy Grandstaff, executive director of the Inspiration Foundation; Edward Padilla from the District 3 Team; Vibrant Works board members Angela Holliday and Patrick Sturdivant; and members of the Cleanlogic team.

Vibrant Works President and CEO Cindy Watson and Jeremy Grandstaff, executive director of the Inspiration Foundation, hold a ceremonial $30,000 grant check supporting employment-related programs at Vibrant Works.

Vibrant Works employees wearing red “Resilient” shirts participate in a White Cane Safety Day walk outside the Eads location. Several employees use white canes as they walk together.

Vibrant Works President and CEO Cindy Watson and Sonia Canales, diversity and inclusion manager at H-E-B, hold a ceremonial $12,500 check supporting Vibrant Works’ Orientation & Mobility Training Program.

Families Enjoy Halloween Fall Fest at Vibrant Works

Vibrant Works welcomed children and families to our annual Halloween Fall Fest on Oct. 17 for a morning of Halloween fun.

Families enjoyed trunk-or-treating, accessible games, crafts and plenty of creative costumes and sweet treats. The event brought families together in a fun, inclusive environment designed for children with vision loss.

A special thank you to our Children & Youth Program team, volunteers and everyone who joined us for making this year's celebration a success!

A woman holds out a purple Halloween bucket as a young boy holding a white cane picks out an orange candy. A child in a yellow costume stands behind them.

A girl in a witch hat and purple dress reaches into a jeweled pumpkin bucket.

A group of adults in matching orange jack-o’-lantern shirts poses with children in costumes, including a cowgirl and a shepherdess.

A toddler in a “hey BOO” ghost shirt and orange pants holds red game pieces up to a giant four-in-a-row game.

Vibrant Works in the News

Video thumbnail of Vibrant Works Digital Accessibility Specialist Jose Martinez, featuring the Vibrant Works and Texas Public Radio logos and a play button.

Vibrant Works Digital Accessibility Specialist Jose Martinez spoke with Texas Public Radio about the importance of the white cane.

Listen here

KENS 5 video thumbnail featuring the word “Halloween” and a red play button.

KENS 5 stopped by our Halloween Fall Fest, highlighting a fun, inclusive event for children with vision loss and their families.

Watch here

Support Vibrant Works Through Champions fore Charity

Vibrant Works is proud to participate in Champions fore Charity, a fundraising program of the Valero Texas Open that supports local nonprofit organizations.

When you donate to Vibrant Works through Champions fore Charity, 100% of your contribution supports our mission, plus the Valero Texas Open provides an additional 7% matching gift, helping your generosity go even further!

Your support helps us continue empowering people with vision loss through employment, training and services.

Donate here

Graphic featuring Vibrant Works employee Jesus smiling in an orange shirt holding a white cane against a teal background, with the words “Donate today!” and the Champions fore Charity and Vibrant Works logos below.

Meet the Board: Dr. Cristina Simpson

What inspired you to join the Vibrant Works board?

I joined the Vibrant Works board because I wanted to be a part of an organization that brought awareness and education about blindness to the community. My mom had retinitis pigmentosa, and she lived a very full life. She was very grateful for the training she received at the School for the Blind. We lived in Corpus Christi, and I remember purchasing the products made by Lighthouse for the Blind. I want to be a part of an organization that helps empower people who are blind and breaks down barriers that keep people who are sighted from understanding blindness.

What do you love most about Vibrant Works?

I love how Vibrant Works has a variety of board members who each bring different assets. I feel it is transparent with finances and that cost containment is prioritized. One of my favorite activities is Dining in the Dark. It really shows the genuine challenge of a necessary daily activity for a person who is blind.

Graphic featuring Vibrant Works board member Dr. Cristina Simpson smiling alongside her quote: “I want to be a part of an organization that helps empower people who are blind and breaks down barriers that keep people who are sighted from understanding blindness.”